Speech and Language Therapist (Stroke)

Find out about the current vacancies available at the Trust and take the next step in your career with us. At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, our main priority is providing safe and high-quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones. If you share our passion then apply for this opportunity and help us make our patients’ experience the best it can possibly be.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist with an interest in stroke to join our Speech and Language Therapy team. The post will primarily be based on the acute stroke unit at University Hospital of North Tees, with one day per week providing input within the stroke pathway at South Tees. You will provide high-quality specialist assessment and rehabilitation to adults with communication and swallowing difficulties following stroke. You will be a HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist, with experience of working with adults with acquired swallowing and communication difficulties, with a particular interest in a stroke caseload.

Main duties of the job:

• You will provide specialist assessment and management to adults with communication and swallowing disorders, predominantly secondary to stroke.
• This role will involve working with a busy clinical caseload, working independently and as part of the Stroke MDT team.
• This role is based within the Speech Therapy team at University Hospital of North Tees, with one day per week within the stroke service at South Tees.
• There will be the option to be involved in planning and delivering training to other professionals, as well as supporting students and other members of the Stroke team.

Working for our organisation:

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust now form University Hospitals Tees and as such you may be required to work at any site across both Trusts. At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, we want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience. We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• You will provide high quality, evidence-based assessment, therapy and treatment to adults with swallowing and communication difficulties on the acute stroke unit at University Hospital North Tees and within the stroke service at South Tees.
• You will be able to plan, implement and evaluate individualised therapy plans to meet the needs of patients with support as required from clinical lead therapists.
• You will work within the Stroke MDT to provide assessment and support rehabilitation for patients within the stroke service.
• You will be able to plan and deliver training and supervision to team members, other professionals, carers, volunteers etc., involved in the care of a patient, with support as required from clinical lead therapists.

Person specification:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of NHS and social care policies relevant to clinical area.
• Knowledge of national documents relating to communication and swallowing difficulties and relevant clinical area.
• Ability to use a range of computer software packages.

Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Evidence of post-graduate study relevant to the post.
• Member of RCSLT.

Experience:

• Experience of working as an SLT with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
• Experience of working in a team.
• Experience of working in a stroke multi-disciplinary team, acute or community stroke services.
• Experience of planning and delivering teaching and training.

Skills:

• Able to manage own time, and work independently.
• Able to demonstrate commitment, motivation and flexibility to work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Planning, organisation and evaluation skills.

Important: Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS): It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBS check will be undertaken during the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters – Probationary Period: For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period.

Employment References: As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps.

Working Hours: If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate. At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe.

Disability: We are a Disability Confident Lead employer. This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Right to Work in the UK: The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role.

Further Important Information: Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application.