Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

You can achieve more at St Andrew’s Healthcare. We are a mental health charity and our purpose is to inspire hope for those living with complex mental health needs. We are looking to a future with less stigma, more community support, more research and education, and we aim to be at the forefront of inspiring real change. We want to ensure we can all live in a society where everyone with complex mental health needs is heard, valued and has hope for their future. Come and join us, and support us to help people transform their lives.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and compassionate Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to join our supportive SLT team at St Andrew’s Healthcare covering the Neuropsychiatry inpatient service at St Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton. We are committed to improving the quality and experience of patients in our care. We are looking for a SLT with some working experience, who is interested in developing their knowledge and skills working in complex neuro-disability and neuro-rehabilitation, and is passionate about advocating for patients with complex mental health and communications needs. We would also accept applications from newly qualified therapists, who would then have access to a development programme (including post basic dysphagia training) whilst in post. Please specify this in your application.

The SLT service at St Andrew’s Healthcare is a centralised team, responsible for supporting some of the most vulnerable people with their communication and dysphagia needs. Our experienced SLT team provide triage, assessment and interventions for communication and dysphagia across a number of specialties including women’s and men’s Mental Health, Neuropsychiatry (e.g. Huntington’s Disease, Dementia, Acquired Brain Injury), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability and CAMHS. Whilst this post is to work in the Neuropsychiatry service, there may be requirements for working in other services in the future.

Successful candidates will provide specialist evidence-based communication and dysphagia input to meet the needs of a complex patient group and support the multidisciplinary approach to holistic, patient centred care and recovery within a specialty field. They will receive direct support from a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, as well as peer support from other SLTs within the team. Our vision is to be at the forefront of specialist SLT provisions working within Mental Health. The successful candidate will be pro-active and accountable, and will be involved in ongoing service development projects to help us achieve this goal.

What you can expect from us:

• Daily access to Highly Specialist SLT for mentoring/coaching
• Access to experienced members of the SLT and wider AHP teams
• Monthly SLT (service management/professional development) meeting
• Protected continuing personal and professional development time
• An opportunity to work with a dynamic, forward-thinking therapy team

Qualifications/education/Training:

• BSc Speech and Language degree, or equivalent
• HCPC registered and RCSLT membership
• Willingness to attend recognised UK RCSLT dysphagia training or evidence/RCSLT competency sign off to at least Level C.
• RCSLT NQP competency sign off if

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist if applying for specialist role
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
• Experience of independently managing a caseload
• Experience of working in a forensic or secure service would be desirable.

Knowledge and skills:

• An interest in developing knowledge in neuro-disability and neuro-rehabilitation.
• Demonstrates knowledge of assessment and intervention relevant to specialist client groups, underpinned by theory and practical experience.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.

Personal attributes:

• Evidence of personal resilience and aptitude for dealing with challenging, potentially distressing and highly emotional clinical work in a secure setting.
• Demonstrates flexibility to meet the demands of the service.

Other:

• An Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.
• Ability to undertake mandatory relevant training, including Safety Intervention Training.

If you would like to know more, we warmly welcome an informal discussion with one of our team; Kim Ferrari, Lead SLT.