Acute Speech & Language Therapist in Leicester

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our dynamic and supportive acute inpatient team. Due to additional funding, we are recruiting to one permanent full‑time Band 5 post and an additional 12 month fixed‑term contract post to cover maternity leave. Applications will be welcomed from newly‑qualified therapists and experienced therapists with an interest in developing specialist skills in acute care.

You will be based full‑time in the Adult SLT Service within the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust, providing input to the acute inpatient services at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General Hospital and Glenfield Hospital as needed. You will be working as part of a growing acute wards service led by an Operational Lead. You may have the opportunity to work in other parts of the service such as the Brain Injury Unit, Neurorehabilitation Unit, Stroke Rehabilitation Unit and/or the Acute Stroke Unit as part of a rotation. You will have the opportunity to work closely with specialist SLT colleagues in stroke, neurology, critical care and head and neck cancer.

Our service offers a community videofluoroscopy outpatient service and a FEES service to inpatients. The successful applicant will benefit from:

• Regular 1:1 and peer supervision
• Opportunities for joint working
• Continuing professional development through in‑house training and external courses

Main duties of the job:

• The Speech and Language Therapist will provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adults with acquired communication and/or swallowing difficulties across the acute hospital sites.
• There will be the opportunity to rotate to other clinical areas which will allow an opportunity to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills.
• You will work closely with members of nursing, medical and multi‑disciplinary teams and you will have the opportunity to provide training to other professionals within the Trust.
• You will be supported by senior therapists and colleagues to ensure ongoing provision of efficient, patient‑centred care.

About us:

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023–2030). We have four primary goals:

• High‑quality care for all
• Being a great place to work
• Partnerships for impact
• Research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do – taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities. Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• We are compassionate
• We are proud
• We are inclusive
• We are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

Job responsibilities:

• To assess the clients needs (communication and or swallowing) and develop, implement, monitor and review programme of care.
• To provide advice/information to others regarding the management of adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulties.
• To advise on the promotion of positive communication environments to meet the needs of clients.
• To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence‑based practice and outcome measures.
• To produce reports regarding clients needs and summarising proposed care plans and recommendations.
• To adapt practice to meet the individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
• To refer on to other services as appropriate.
• To seek a second opinion where appropriate.
• To ensure that clients are involved in the planning of programmes of care whenever possible.
• To contribute to multidisciplinary, multi‑agency and uni‑disciplinary teams as appropriate.
• To communicate complex condition related information from assessment/therapy plan to clients, carers, families and members of MDT.
• To work closely with clients, carers and families, agreeing decision making relevant to the needs of the client.
• To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
• To use appropriate listening and basic counselling skills with clients and carers.
• To develop skills in motivating clients and/or carers to engage in the therapy process.
• To develop negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.
• To deal with initial enquiries/complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.
• To form positive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties.
• To employ effective and appropriate communication skills.

Person Specification:

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualifications or equivalent
• HCPC Licence to practice
• Registered member of RCSLT

• Relevant clinical experience at undergraduate level

• Understanding of Confidentiality & Data Protection.

• Mobility – Own transport or suitable alternative.

• Assessment tools relevant to client group.
• Appropriate therapeutic intervention relevant to client group.
• Awareness of principles of clinical governance/audit.
• Analytical & reflection skills.
• Completion of dysphagia competency programme.

• Positive team working skills.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet needs of job.
• Caring & empathic.

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours.

• Strong self‑motivation.
• Ability to motivate others.

• Commitment to Equality & Valuing Diversity Principles.
• Understanding of the service users of the Trust (which could include lived experience of conditions the Trust deals with or of receiving services relevant to those the Trust provides).
• Understanding of Confidentiality & Data Protection.

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours.

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.