About this role
Job summary
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Acute
Band 6 - Full time - Permanent
At Stepping Hill Hospital, the Speech and Language Therapy department boasts an SLT service on critical care, a specialist FEES service, and an acute frailty unit. Stockport NHS FT is looking for an enthusiastic, innovative, experienced SLT to join our team.
The post holder will work as part of a supportive MDT delivering a service to inpatients with a range of acquired communication and swallowing difficulties. It will also involve working closely with the Trust's multidisciplinary Nutritional Support Team, attending weekly meetings and ward rounds.
The successful applicant will have established skills in dysphagia. Skills and experience in videofluoroscopy, knowledge of tracheostomy patients and FEES are desirable but not essential. The candidate will have excellent communication skills and be able to demonstrate an adaptable approach whilst meeting guidelines and standards.
You will receive monthly supervision with a senior SLT. You will also be responsible for supervising junior SLTs and SLTAs. There will be opportunity to contribute to and receive regular in-service training and other CPD opportunities.
This post will include 5 working days, flexible over a 7 day working rota. Where weekend working is involved an enhanced rate of pay is received.
Main duties of the job
To provide a safe, effective and consistently high quality Speech and Language Therapy service at Stockport Foundation Trust.
Manage a delegated caseload within the specialist area of acute hospital wards, including medical, surgical, trauma and orthopaedic and frailty wards. To assess, plan and implement patient centred, evidence-based interventions
To provide evidence-based care, education and information to patients, carers and health care professionals.
Contribute to the training and development of Speech and Language Therapy students, as well as supervising and supporting Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants.
To support and develop the Speech and Language Therapy service within specialist clinical areas
About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
Benefits we offer to you:
Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays NHS pension scheme membership Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further NHS Staff discounts Cycle to work scheme Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice
Job description Job responsibilities
The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification focusses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.
The person specification below is not the full person specification but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £54.50. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £16.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications Essential
Degree level qualification in Speech and Language pathology/therapy. Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Post graduate training and experience in dysphagia.
Desirable
Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (R.C.S.L.T.). Post graduate training in specialist area. Attendance at courses, conferences or study days which support Speech and Language Therapy knowledge and/or practice
Knowledge Essential
Highly specialised knowledge of the head, neck and thorax. Maintenance of clinical knowledge base/level of professional competency across the range of acquired communication and swallowing disorders to ensure evidence-based practice. Able to identify areas for own personal/professional development. Specialist knowledge relevant to stroke Awareness of the potential uses of videofluoroscopy and FEES in dysphagia management and patient referral criteria. Understanding of audit and its role in clinical practice/service development.
Desirable
Knowledge of policies and procedures and guidelines relevant to role. Awareness of range of software available for therapeutic. purposes. Understanding of NHS structure and systems. Awareness of cultural diversity and equality issues. Good working knowledge of frailty and underlying health conditions.
Skills & Abilities Essential
Competent in the assessment and management of a range of swallowing and communication disorders. Highly developed interpersonal skills to facilitate therapeutic relationships. High quality written communication skills. High quality verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate complex and potentially distressing information to clients, carers and other professionals in a sensitive manner. Ability to communicate effectively with angry or distressed patients/relatives. Ability to adapt communication style to overcome barriers to understanding. Able to communicate effectively with members of the MDT regarding patient care. Able to manage the emotional consequences of working with communication impaired clients and their relatives, in distressing situations, such as late stage terminal illness or coming to terms with disability. Able to carry out assessment in physically restricted situations e.g. at the bedside. Excellent observation skills. Able to analyse and evaluate results of formal/informal assessments of communication and swallowing, evaluate outcomes and modify approach to maximise outcome. Able to contribute to complex discharge decisions, advising the MDT on the safety of potential discharges in terms of communication and swallowing. Behaviour change skills. Ability to motivate or persuade others to facilitate change. Able to keep accurate records relating to patient care. Ability to reflect on practice with peers/supervisor(s). Active team member. Able to train/teach students, other professionals and assistants. Flexibility/adaptability in handling work pressures, competing interests and busy caseload to meet service need. Prioritisation skills. Developed time management skills. Well-developed problem solving/analytical skills. Able to recognise own clinical and experience boundaries and to seek support/advice when appropriate. Well-motivated, with a commitment to developing the service Strong commitment to personal development IT skills (word-processing, e-mail; internet, intranet searches, presentation skills)
Desirable
Competencies in the interpretation of videofluoroscopies. Competencies in the assessment of patients with tracheostomies.
Work Related Circumstances Essential
Exposure to potentially distressing or emotional situations pertaining to the clinical or social circumstances of patients. Able to apply policies to own work area and identify potential difficulties. Able to implement infection control guidelines on a daily basis when dealing with bodily fluids e.g. sputum and phlegm whilst engaged in swallowing assessments. Prepared to carry out lone working in community settings when required. To employ appropriate strategies to manage aggressive behaviour within the workplace. Must maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
Experience Essential
Post-graduate clinical experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist in a clinical setting. Working in a multi-professional environment Able to independently make complex discharge decisions and advise the MDT on the safety of potential discharges in terms of communication and swallowing. Working in a team Ability to work autonomously Managing a clinical caseload and prioritising tasks Clinical audit
Desirable
Presenting training sessions/talks. Experience of supervising junior colleagues Training student Speech and Language Therapists
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 Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Address Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Poplar Grove
Stockport
SK2 7JE
United Kingdom
Employer's website http://www.stockport.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)