Specialist Neuro Speech and Language Therapist

This is a Band 6, speech and language therapy clinical role in the Merton Community Neuro Rehabilitation Team (33.75 hours per week). The post holder will provide a specialist clinical speech and language therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment service as part of the Merton Community Neuro Rehab Team on a virtual and/or domiciliary basis across Merton. The service includes clients with a wide range of acquired communication and swallowing difficulties, such as stroke and head injury, and those who have a degenerative condition and need support to manage disability and quality of life. The service also provides input for clients who have cognitive-communication and vocational rehabilitation needs.

The post holder will be an integral member of the multidisciplinary neuro rehab team, in addition to the wider speech and language therapy team across CLCH, acting as a resource to other medical, nursing, therapy and social services staff and voluntary agencies and as an interface link for Speech and Language Therapy with acute providers. The post holder will undertake teaching and research in relevant specialist areas for a wide range of other professionals, as appropriate. The post holder will support self and service development through active participation in continuing professional development and by participating in any audit or research being undertaken by the service.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide a specialist speech and language therapy clinical role within the neuro team.
• Co-develop and provide appropriate specialist speech and language therapy assessments and interventions.
• Facilitate group work and peer mentoring for people affected by a neurological condition, alongside the MDT.
• Carry out specialist physical examination of the orofacial process including the mechanism of eating, drinking and swallowing; monitor all aspects of the interaction of significant others with clients.
• Make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment, using evidence-based practice and outcome measurement to provide the most effective treatment to clients and their families within clearly defined care plans.
• Use clinical judgement and specialist skills to evaluate deterioration in clients' health status and report same as appropriate to other health services (in particular, regarding dysphagia).
• Adapt practice to meet individual clients' and families' circumstances, including due regard for specific clinical conditions affecting their speech and language and/or cognitive, cultural, religious and linguistic differences.

Please see full Job Description for additional duties.

About us: Just as we care about our patients' well-being, we care about yours! We can offer you:

• A comprehensive induction into the community service followed by a local induction to introduce you to the role.
• Car lease scheme (only available for Band 5 and up).
• Flexible working options.
• Training, support and development in your career.

To have a full look at our benefits and what it's like working for us please refer to the provided links.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: Degree in Speech-Language Therapy, Health & Care Professions Council Registration, Educated to Masters level in specialist SALT field relevant to the role or equivalent combination of post graduate education, courses and experience in neuro SALT, Membership of the Royal College of Speech-Language Therapists (RCSLT), Membership of Special Interest Group e.g. SALT neurological practice.
• Experience: Appraisals using KSF, Clinical teaching, Staff and student supervision, Experience of service development, Experience of provision of work for patients with dysphagia and neurological conditions, Experience of working in a range of community and/or acute NHS settings, Supervision of less experienced Speech and Language Therapists/Assistants, Research experience, Experience of working in the NHS.
• Skills: Specialist knowledge and understanding of complex neurological conditions including clients with multiple pathologies, Specialist skills in the assessment and treatment of adults with complex neurological conditions, Knowledge of evidence-based practice and outcome measures associated with neurological conditions and older people, Knowledge and experience of working with a wider multi-disciplinary team, Knowledge and understanding of clinical guidelines on stroke and other neurological conditions, Advanced communication and report writing skills, in both verbal and written format, EMIS clinical system experience.

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.