Speech and Language Therapist - Critical Care

Overview

Do you have proven experience as a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist with skills across adult acute wards (including respiratory, oncology and CCU/HDU) and stroke? This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Band 6 or current Band 7 therapist to develop specialist skills within critical care and acute respiratory working with acquired swallowing and communication disorders. We are a small but friendly team that seeks to enable all staff to progress to their maximum potential, and to support colleagues to do the same. With a strong ethos in evidence based practice and supportive patient intervention, the team works across critical care and the acute respiratory unit to provide excellent patient intervention and rehabilitation within the acute phase of their illness. We foster links with community colleagues to ensure seamless care for patients who may need continuing care post discharge.

Candidates with existing skills in leading videofluoroscopy clinics and performing FEES will have the opportunity to participate in these services. The SALT department has an excellent profile within the hospital and strong links to main referring consultants and other professionals. We foster effective MDT working and are an active member of the Therapies department.

Responsibilities

• Lead the speech and language therapy team in relation to the provision of the critical care and acute respiratory service at the acute Trust, working collaboratively with the Clinical Manager.
• Perform advanced speech, language and swallowing assessments of patients with diverse and sometimes complex presentations.
• Supervise, educate and assess the performance of speech and language therapists and students, and provide support for others in developing and delivering individualised treatment plans.
• Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects to further own and the team\’s clinical practice, making recommendations to the Clinical Manager for changes to practice by the team.

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience as Band 6 SLT with a track record in adult acute wards, respiratory care, CCU/HDU, and stroke.
• Ability to lead, mentor and develop junior staff and supervise student placements.
• Skills in instrumental assessments (e.g., FEES) and experience with videofluoroscopy clinics is advantageous.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and MDT collaboration.

Our Ambition

To deliver excellent local and specialist services, improve the health and wellbeing of patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. We aim to maximise our skills and experiences to become the best we can be, recruiting and retaining specialist staff across the Trust.