Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Cambridge

A fixed-term (1 year) maternity leave position to support the provision of specialist SLT services within the general intensive care unit as a member of the adult intensive care team and the wider adult acute Speech and Language Therapy service.

Main duties of the job:

• This is a clinical post focused on providing highly specialist clinical input to a defined caseload including patients with complex disorders, prioritising needs and managing workload independently.
• To support the Adult Acute and Adult Critical Care team leads in the development of services within this area of specialism, leading on delegated projects independently, and to act as a resource for other therapists.
• To provide cover for the Senior Specialist SLT in service and team co-ordination, operational management and representation at relevant forums as required.

Benefits to you:

• Development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries.
• Reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site.
• Free Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites, as well as to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals.
• Subsidised parking on site for eligible staff.
• Hot food available 24/7 at a reduced cost for colleagues.
• Purpose-created colleague-only café with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge.
• Flexible arrangements may include part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Person specification:

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent.
• Health professions Council Registration.
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent.
• Evidence of successful completion of advanced specialist short courses in communication and swallowing disorders in critical care, including tracheostomy management, to masters level equivalent.
• In depth post graduate experience in specialist area of communication and swallowing in the acute setting.
• Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex communication and swallowing disorders associated with a critical care caseload.
• Independent use and interpretation of FEES examinations.
• Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies, including ventilator dependent patients.
• Experience in the selection, use and programming of augmentative communication systems.
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals.
• Experience of supervising students and supporting less experienced SLTs.
• Involvement in multidisciplinary working.

Knowledge:

• Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia relevant to critical care.
• In depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group.
• In depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit to monitor and improve service.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group.
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills.
• Highly developed auditory and perceptual discriminatory skills for analysis of speech, including phonetic transcription.
• Advanced clinical skills in analysis and interpretation of FEES examinations, including ability to pass the nasendoscope.
• Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member and assume leadership responsibilities.
• Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills for management of complex cases.
• Excellent analytical and reflection skills.
• Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills.
• Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials.
• Counselling Skills.

Additional Requirements:

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of kind, safe and excellent.