About this role
Job summary
We'd like to hear from you if you're a highly motivated and enthusiastic Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who's ready to join our dynamic, friendly, supportive, and hardworking team.
You will be responsible for the assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU), working as an integrated and vital member of the AMU multi-disciplinary team (MDT), as well as maintaining a small general acute caseload which may include patients on critical care with tracheostomies and supporting with instrumental assessments (videofluoroscopy and FEES).
The post is based within the Adult Acute Team at University College Hospital (UCH). You will work flexibility across the AMU and general acute wards, as assigned by the Clinical Team Lead. You will be provided with managerial and leadership support, an established supervision system, and a range of opportunities for learning and participation in self and service development.
UCH is a national tertiary referral centre for a range of specialties, including haematological disorders. We have strong links with our Paediatric and Head and Neck SLT teams, as well as the teams at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and The Royal National Ear Nose and Throat Hospital.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive and specialist service to patients presenting with complex speech, language and swallow disorders in the adult acute setting. Primary duties include:
Assessment and management of patients with complex dysphagia, including tracheostomy management
Assessment and management of patients with complex communication impairments
Delivery of comprehensive rehabilitation for speech, language and swallow, disorders
Use of instrumental assessment to guide dysphagia management, including videofluoroscopy (competencies required) and/or FEES (competencies desired)
Supervising junior staff and student SLTs, as designated by the Clinical Team Lead
Demonstrating strong leadership skills, including demonstrating initiative, organisational skills, and assisting with management of the team.
Developing and carrying out service development projects specific to the AMU as agreed with the line manager
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological,gastrointestinaland oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclearmedicineandpathology.
Weare committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
Job description Job responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more informationregardingthe main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
*UCLH top trust to work at in England- In the most recentNHS staff surveyUCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit:Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLHa great placeto work, visit:Why Choose UCLH?
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications Essential
Degree in Speech and Language Therapy (or equivalent) HCPC License to Practice in Speech and Language Therapy Successful completion of highly specialist post-graduate student relevant to communication (e.g., aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria) and swallowing disorders at MSc level or equivalent Successful completion of highly specialist training or expert short courses in tracheostomy assessment and management (including knowledge of ventilator dependent management) Interpretation of videofluoroscopy swallow studies to RCSLT Level 3 (Lead) Basic counselling skills or relevant courses Training in SLT student clinical supervision Evidence of working within the NHS
Desirable
Member of relevant CENs MBSImp certification Training and clinical exposure to Fibre-optic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
Experience Essential
Extensive clinical experience working in adult acute care Delivering and evaluating training to a range of audiences Evidence of supervising junior staff Proven experience of a highly specialist range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate swallowing disorders, communication, voice and cognitive communication, speech & language skills in an adult acute population Evidence of clinical dysphagia management at RCSLT Level C, or equivalent Proven experience of the key characteristics leading to a highly specialist differential diagnosis of swallowing disorders including use of videofluoroscopy Proven experience of key characteristics leading to a highly specialist differential diagnosis and management in tracheostomy care Proven experience of selecting, setting & evaluating highly specialist treatment goals Proven experience of a highly specialist range of therapeutic interventions relevant to adults with acute acquired neurology, especially dysphagia demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches Detailed knowledge of multi-disciplinary team approaches Good understanding of the clinical governance principles (e.g. audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, patient and public involvement)
Desirable
Carrying out evidence-based research projects Evidence of working with ventilator-dependent patients Basic knowledge of qualitative & quantitative research approaches, the key elements of writing a research protocol
Skills and Abilities Essential
Demonstrates knowledge of RCSLT and HCPC's code of ethics and professional conduct Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate legislation affecting working practice e.g. Working with Vulnerable Adults, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding Children Demonstration of effective management of change skills including the flexibility in approach to changes in patient and service needs The ability to develop & implement short term clinically based projects
Values Essential
Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving
Communication Essential
Excellent verbal and written skills The ability to communicate complex, sensitive information Skills in delivering presentations and training including basic adaptations to presentation/ training style for a range of audiences Competent IT skills including use of Microsoft 365 programmes
Personal and People Development Essential
Experience of approaches to mentoring, advising, supporting and clinically supervising less experienced SLTs, SLT students and support staff The ability to reflect on practice
Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion Essential
Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Evidence of knowledge and experience in advocating for patients, staff and/or members of the public in relation to EDI principles
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address University College London Hospitals
235 Euston Road
London
WC1N 3BG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)