Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Shropshire and Staffordshire

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn. Due to an innovative pilot project, this 24-month post is for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist with specialist clinical skills to meet the communication needs of a forensic population. Forensic mental health services at MPFT have secured funding to explore the potential impact speech and language therapy input can have on the length of stay of our service users. This post will work closely with the advanced speech and language therapist to implement this project and provide clinical oversight to the B5 speech and language therapists. This post will work across the service meaning there will be a requirement to travel between the two service sites in Stafford and Shrewsbury. Expenses will be paid for travel and base will be agreed to best support the successful candidate. There is scope to work with some flexibility around working pattern to accommodate travel time.

Main duties of the job:

• You will be practicing autonomously as a highly specialised SLT within the area of forensic mental health to provide patient-centred clinical care which will encompass the skills of clinical assessment, examination, diagnosis and treatment within their professional scope of practice.
• You will demonstrate safe, competent clinical decision-making and specialised care, demonstrating clinical critical thinking to meet the needs of service users.
• You will work collaboratively with wider speech and language teams and stakeholders to maintain the delivery of the highest quality, integrated speech and language therapy, supporting the delivery of policy and procedure to sustain the delivery of quality, evidence-based care.
• You will have passion, enthusiasm and specialist knowledge of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and will have an active role in the development and support of newly qualified and less experienced staff.

About us:

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities. We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems. We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow. We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities:

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification information for further details on the role.

Qualifications & Training:

Essential:

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Health And Care Professions Council Registered Speech and Language Therapist
• RCSLT Registered
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development
• Practice Placement Educator

Desirable:

• Leadership qualification
• Higher Level Degree
• Post Grad Training in Mental Health Issues
• Learning disabilities, and challenging behaviour
• Member of RCSLT, regional clinical Excellence network appropriate to specialist area of post.
• Dysphagia Trained

Experience:

Essential:

• Evidence of extensive post-registration experience including working with adults experiencing mental health related difficulties, communication issues and cognitive impairment.
• Experience of implementing best practice and ability to carry out clinical audit.
• Experience of integrating care delivery across multi-disciplinary/multiple agency teams.
• Experience of training and development of other Speech and Language Therapists/support staff.
• Experience of presenting at local/national level.

Desirable:

• Extensive experience of working in mental health and/or learning disabilities.
• Experience working in community services.

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.

UK Registration:

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.