About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at St George's University Hospital Foundation Trust within Critical Care to cover maternity leave . There are 3 adult ICU's including General, Cardiac and neurology, covering 73 beds.
The post holder will have highly specialist skills in the assessment and management of critically unwell patients from a variety of etiologies who require input for swallowing, communication and airway management. They will have extensive experience with ventilator dependent and tracheostomised patients. The post is suitable for a highly experienced SLT who is dynamic and flexible with a commitment to new ways of working, and has an innovative approach to patient centered care and efficient service delivery. The post holder will work closely with the MDTs in ICU and with SLT to work to bridge the service offered across the units and be dedicated to and have experience of involvement with audits and service development to improve practice and efficiency. The post holder will receive regular supervision and support. They will be joining a highly supportive and innovative Speech and Language Therapy Department, offering well established CPD opportunities.
For enquiries regarding the post, please contact Elizabeth Montgomery - Clinical Specialist SLT, Critical Care [email protected] -or Hannah Berry - Professional and clinical lead for SLT on 0208 725 0838 or [email protected]
Main duties of the job
Identify and assess patients in Critical Care areas presenting with communication and swallowing disorders as part of the Critical Care MDT in St Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in accordance with the mission, values and strategic plan of the organisation. Provide independent clinical management of patients requiring assessment and rehabilitation of complex communication and swallowing disorders with the aim of restoring optimum function or offering compensatory strategies. This includes assessing the patients' need for alternative augmentative communication where appropriate. Act as senior decision-maker, with recommendations regarding SLT and HCPC intervention requirements where appropriate. Determine discharge plans and appropriate follow-up arrangements with relevant services. Provide leadership and direction to the Critical Care Team as appropriate within their own scope of practice. Communicate effectively with other team members, as well as patients, relatives, medical and nursing colleagues. Analyse service demands and develop the Critical Care team with other HSCP members in line with evolving requirements. Contribute to the overall operation and development of the communication and swallowing service within the hospital in collaboration with the SLT Manager and other SLTs within the department
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.
Job description Job responsibilities
**Please see the attached supporting job description and person specification document, which contains more information about the role and requirements. Please ensure your application refers to the job description and person specification**
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
Diploma/Degree leading to RCSLT licence to practice. Registered Member of RCSLT/ HCPC Evidence of attendance at post- graduate specialist training courses: eg. Advanced Dysphagia, Tracheostomy management, VFS, FEES Active membership of relevant CEN
Experience Essential
Minimum of 5 years full-time [or equivalent] post qualification clinical experience of which 4 years full-time [or equivalent] must be consecutive in the area of Critical Care. Competent to manage patients with tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients Experience of establishing phonation in patients with tracheostomy on mechanical ventilation. Competent to undertake and interpret FEES Significant experience of using alternative and augmentative communication aids including selection and training in use. Significant experience of working as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team Experience supervising and developing junior staff Informal and formal training of other professionals Participation in audit/outcome management/service development projects
Desirable
Significant experience of performing, evaluating and reporting on videofluoroscopy independently (equivalent to RCSLT Level 3 competencies Experience of formally supervising staff and conducting annual appraisals Experience of participating in research
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Significant specialist experience working with adults with acquired disorders of communication and swallowing including working at a specialist level with tracheostomy patients and ventilator dependent patients Evidence of advanced independent management and knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders in patients with tracheostomy and mechanically ventilated patients including different modes of mechanical ventilation and their impact Significant experience of using augmentative and alternative communication aids including selection and training in use. In depth knowledge around evidenced based practice for the management of patients admitted to Critical Care presenting with communication and swallowing disorders to impart knowledge to SLT colleagues, critical care team and students Demonstrate a proven record of clinical excellence and achievement in clinical audit, quality improvement, practice development and advanced clinical reasoning. Evidence of ability to prioritise and delegate workload Up to date in latest SLT research/best practice in Critical Care. Evidence of CPD in the area of communication and/or swallow disorders related to Critical Care in the form of post-graduate qualifications or relevant courses Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to educate, empathize, support, negotiate and motivate including where co-operation is not guaranteed. Ability to communicate highly complicated/emotive information at all levels of understanding both verbally and in writing In-depth knowledge of current /standards re: ICS standards, NCEPOD, NICE guidelines Knowledge of the UK Guidelines for the Provision of Intensive Care Services V2 Demonstrates ability to be a good team member and assume leadership responsibilities when required by Line Manager Excellent organisational skills Excellent prioritisation skills Well established knowledge of a broad range assessment and therapy approaches In depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/ audit Good written and spoken English
Desirable
Knowledge of methods used to establish phonation in patients with tracheostomy on mechanical ventilation Evidence of presentations at local, regional, national and/or international conferences. Experience of teaching and research in the area of Critical Care.
Other Essential
Physically fit to meet requirements of post
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).
Employer details Employer name St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address St George’s Hospital
Blackshaw Road
London
SW17 0QT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)