About this role
Job summary
This is a rare and exciting opportunity in Adult Speech and Language Therapy to lead and develop new patient pathways in Rehabilitation after Critical Illness (RaCI) at University Hospital North Durham working in partnership with RaCI SLT lead based at Darlington Memorial Hospital. We can offer you a challenging and rewarding post that includes:
Weekly RaCI MDT meetings focussed on personalised patient care planning
RaCI Assistant support to carry out routine SLT therapies
Ready access to FEES and VFSS
Peer mentoring and support from RaCI lead based at DMH
Clinical supervision and CPD/ Skills escalation targeted at your development needs
In-service training
Monthly staff meetings
Peer support groups for service development and clinical case discussion
Access to audit support team
Regular line management supervision and support from Professional SLT Lead
Annual appraisal
Good IT access and laptop
Please note this post requires DBS check
Main duties of the job
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high performing organization with a track record of success.
We are looking for a highly skilled Speech and Language Therapist with FEES competencies and experience of working in ITU with tracheostomized patients. However, a skills escalation programme would be put in place for a successful candidate who was able to demonstrate significant previous acute dysphagia management experience. The successful candidate will work alongside RaCI MDT colleagues to deliver personalised care in ITU but also have the opportunity to work in hyper-acute stroke and medicine amongst a team of motivated SLT colleagues.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
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Job description Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will hold a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and be registered with the Health Professionals Council. You will have significant post-graduate experience of working with complex dysphagia in an acute setting, preferably ITU, management of tracheostomised patients and FEES with a passion for service development.
We will provide professional development opportunities to enable career development with peer support and clinical supervision from RaCI lead based at DMH. You will be committed to multi-disciplinary working, continuing professional development of complex dysphagia and communication disorders and be in possession of excellent communication and prioritisation skills. Experience of FEES and working in an ITU setting would be highly desirable.
The Speech and Language Therapy service is comprised of a pro-active team of experienced colleagues allowing ready-access to support, second opinions and on-going peer supervision to deliver evidence-based practice assessment and therapy to patients. You will help supervise more junior staff and speech and language therapy students as well as contribute to the delivery of teaching programmes to the RaCI MDT, medical students and a range of professionals enhancing patient care
Person Specification
Special Skills & Knowledge Essential
Click here to enter text. Ability to make judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options. Planning and organisational skills applicable to advising on the formulation of long-term strategic plans relating to the specialist area, which involve uncertainty. Highly developed physical skills (precision, speed, hand/eye/sensory co-ordination) to perform real time phonemic and phonetic transcriptions. High level interpersonal and communication skills persuasion, negotiation, training, empathy and re-assurance. Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive, contentious information where there may be barriers to overcome.
Special Requirements Essential
Commitment to developing own clinical and non-clinical expertise. To keep up to date with current clinical and technical advances and relevant management practices; to be advised of same by peers and more senior clinicians within the Trust. Able to travel independently within the Foundation Trust area/ Car Owner/ Car Driver Able to travel independently countywide Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
Qualifications Essential
Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent as recognised by RCSLT Health professions Council Licence to Practice Evidence of successful completion of highly specialist courses up to Masters Degree Equivalent Knowledge and understanding of national and local Health/Education/Social care policies and practices Highly developed specialist knowledge across a range of work procedures and practices relating to the identification, definition, diagnosis, dysphagia disorders including a post basic dysphagia qualification or equivalent
Desirable
FEES trained Experience of Joint SLT/ENT clinics
Experience Essential
Highly specialist experience at post-graduate level in voice/ dysphagia specialist/lead area. At least 2 years working as a Speech and Language Therapist in specialist area.
Statutory Registration Essential
HCPC registration RCSLT member
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address University Hospital Of North Durham
North Road
DURHAM
DH1 5TW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)