About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist within Bedfordshire Community Health Services Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated clinician to join the service and work closely with the wider MDT.
This is a full time post (37.5 hours).
Based in the community the successful candidate will cover outpatients and domiciliary visits across north, mid and south Bedfordshire to patients in their own homes and nursing and care homes.
The role will also involve participation in training sessions on communication and dysphagia to other professionals and attending multi-disciplinary team meetings.
Post graduate dysphagia training will be provided if required.
ELFT has a very strong culture of quality improvement and you will be encouraged to take an active role in service improvement projects.
The adult speech and language therapy service comprises of a small, friendly and very supportive team. There are regular team meetings, supervision and opportunities for further training and CPD.
We are currently expanding and developing the community service to work further on prevention and education and to build integrated pathways. So this is a great time to join us!
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
Be responsible for delivering speech and language therapy input to appropriate adults with acquired communication, swallowing and voice problems (e.g. Parkinson's voice).
Identify, assess and diagnose communication/ impairments and select appropriate patients and ttherapy for effective treatment.
The post holder will be supported in developing dysphagia competencies and will ultimately see patients with acquired swallowing problems as part of their caseload.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Job description Job responsibilities
1. To work with adults with a range of acquired communication and swallowing disorders, and their carers with support from experienced clinical staff.
2. To develop clear care plans based on best practice.
3. To use clinical skills to generate written reports reflecting knowledge
4. To provide appropriate intervention and evaluate outcomes.
5. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients with communication difficulties.
6. To contribute to clinical teams, both multidisciplinary and uni- disciplinary, by discussing own and others input around patients needs, ensuring a well-coordinated care plan
7. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of current evidence based practice and outcome measures.
8. To use clinical skills and knowledge of communication aids to provide appropriate Augmentative and Alternative Communication intervention
Please see attached job description and person specification for full job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Speech and Language Therapy Degree HCPC registration
Desirable
Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists Post Graduate Dysphagia Training
Driver and UK work status Essential
Must have UK driving license Must have own transport to travel throughout Bedfordshire independently Must be eligible to live and work in the UK
Experience Essential
Experience of working with adults with a range of medical conditions and acquired communication disorders Demonstrates experience in assessment and therapeutic interventions for a wide range of acquired communication disorders
Desirable
Experience of delivering training
Knowledge Essential
Demonstrates a well-established knowledge of theoretical and clinical issues relating to adults with acquired communication disorders associated with a wide range of medical conditions Has good awareness of safe eating and drinking in order to recognise potential problems and escalate accordingly
Desirable
Knowledge of a range of high and low tech augmentative and alternative communication suitable for use with adults with communication disorders Awareness of legal requirements, RCSLT guidelines and national policies relevant to the client group Awareness of the principles of clinical governance and audit
Skills Essential
Excellent verbal and written communication skills Able to work flexibly and meet conflicting demands Excellent organisational skills Able to impart potentially distressing information in a sensitive manner to adults with acquired communication disorders and their carers
Desirable
Demonstrates excellent presentation skills Excellent IT skills
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 East London NHS Foundation Trust
Address Twinwoods Health Resource Centre
Milton Road
Clapham, Bedford
MK41 6AT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)