Band 7 – Permanent Dysphagia Specialist Speech and Language Therapist – Newcastle upon Tyne

Job Title:Dysphagia Specialist Speech and Language Therapist – Newcastle upon Tyne
Banding: Band 7
Location:Newcastle upon Tyne
Start:ASAP
Duration:Permanent
Rate: £47,350 to £54,122
Working hours:Full-time

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Dysphagia Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our client’s team at The Percy Hedley Foundation in Newcastle upon Tyne. This is a fantastic opportunity to work within one of the region’s largest charities, supporting individuals with a range of learning and physical needs. The Foundation takes a person-centred, flexible approach to care, with a strong focus on delivering the best outcomes through a dynamic and supportive team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• To provide highly specialist assessment and intervention for service users with complex presentations including physical difficulties, complex communication disorders, complex ASC and learning disability.
• To deliver a robust quality assurance programme to the therapy team to ensure that audits, supervision and coaching is provided according to service need.
• To work within an integrated way within a trans-disciplinary team to ensure that therapy targets are embedded within the pathways.
• To work closely with external agencies as required, actively seeking extended networks for support and models of best practice.
• To initiate and organise training and advice to carers, staff and other professionals as required.
• To undertake supervision and training in a specialist area for under-graduate and qualified SLTs and other professionals as required.
• To supervise students, support workers and less experienced therapists and provide leadership and support for identified staff of any discipline.
• To initiate and undertake best practice projects and action research in order to contribute to service developments and improve clinical effectiveness.
• To maintain a positive attitude, embody the values of the organisation and act as a role model for colleagues in support of the leadership team.

Clinical Duties

• To demonstrate highly specialist clinical expertise in the assessment and management of speech, language, communication and swallowing problems in students with complex presentations, including physical difficulties, complex communication difficulties, complex ASC, sensory issues, learning difficulties and mental health problems.
• To contribute autonomously to the initial assessment and formulation of speech, language, communication, eating, drinking and swallowing needs and input to decisions around placement.
• To continue to develop highly specialist knowledge and skills in assessing and managing service users with complex communication and swallowing difficulties, seeking advice where needed from external agencies and advisors.
• To apply highly specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical decision making for case management based on evidence based practice and outcome measures.
• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice, both individually and with peers, identifying strengths and needs and providing evidence of sound clinical judgements based on research and evidence based practice.
• To produce detailed, comprehensive and high quality reports for a range of professionals and carers relating to service user needs, current progress and future management, in line with PHF guidelines and expectations.
• To prepare clear therapy plans which relate to Health and Care Plans and identify functional targets which will meet documented outcomes.
• To compile and maintain accurate and effective case notes, following PHF policy and support less experienced colleagues to do likewise.
• To work closely with families and carers, supporting and empowering them to meet the needs of the service user.
• To demonstrate high quality, evidence based speech and language therapy interventions within specialist relevant fields, for example: AAC; dysphagia; complex communication; behavioural management; community skills; emotional regulation, sensory integration, mental health etc. depending on the nature of the caseload.
• To demonstrate highly effective skills in working with service users with complex disabilities, including physical disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and challenging behaviour, working as part of a team and employing agreed management strategies.
• To work collaboratively as part of integrated trans-disciplinary teams to promote the philosophy of a team approach across the service and take responsibility for the management of communication difficulties and dysphagia as appropriate.
• To communicate complex information relating to speech, language, communication, eating, drinking and swallowing needs to service users as appropriate, carers and the trans-disciplinary team, demonstrating empathy and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
• To recognise potential conflict and breakdown when it occurs and address issues immediately, seeking help if required.
• To show highly effective communication and negotiation skills in the management of conflict and demonstrate them at all times, particularly in difficult or emotionally charged situations.
• To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation and seeking support from the lead clinician or senior leadership team if the complaint cannot be easily resolved.

Organisational Duties

• To be accountable for own professional actions, recognising professional boundaries and working within defined Foundation protocols and codes of conduct.
• To manage own time within the requirements of the educational day and caseload priorities, including meeting deadlines for reports and other administrative tasks.
• To prioritise caseload and workload effectively and autonomously.
• To provide specific and relevant training and advice for carers, staff and other relevant parties to extend their knowledge base, maintain high standards and maximise the students’ learning. This will include induction training for new staff.
• To develop, supervise and provide ongoing review of therapy interventions carried out by carers, assistants or other support staff.
• To assist in the monitoring of planning, therapy delivery and clinical standards in collaboration with the lead therapists and senior leadership team.
• To provide day to day supervision and mentoring of less experienced staff, supporting their caseload management as required.
• To facilitate others in the team to develop competence by providing clinical leadership and specialist clinical advice on more complex cases within the boundaries of professional experience.
• To undertake appraisals of assistants and less experienced therapists (Phase 1 & 2) as part of the formal performance review cycle, supporting them to identify relevant targets and training needs.
• To participate in recruitment of staff.
• To initiate and implement risk assessment plans in conjunction with the trans-disciplinary team. To support others in the writing of risk assessments.
• To understand and adhere to all policies and plans relating to the post and to actively contribute to policy development, proposing new policies and procedures for the specialist area. Also, to contribute to policies which impact on other areas and professions, e.g. Moving and Handling, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Data protection, Prevent and British Values.
• To have a thorough knowledge of departmental development plans, work to achieve them, support others to achieve them and to actively contribute to future planning in order to influence the continuing development of the SLT service.
• To initiate and share speech and language therapy innovations, further developing the specialist educational service across the Foundation.
• To participate in and lead standard setting, prioritisation, quality assurance and other relevant working groups for the purposes of planning, monitoring and improving services.
• To monitor equipment, maintain safety and request new stock as needed.
• To supervise student placements, both SLT and other disciplines as appropriate.
• To raise awareness and increase the profile of the SLT profession through explanation and demonstration to visitors, students and volunteers.
• To receive regular supervision from a designated clinical supervisor, reflect on practice with peers and the clinical supervisor to identify areas of strengths and development needs.
• To participate in formal performance and development review sessions as a reviewee with the line manager, demonstrating an ability to identify relevant targets and training needs.
• To be responsible for updating professional knowledge and requesting additional training or support as needed.
• To develop and maintain a personal CPD portfolio to meet the requirements of the RCSLT and HCPC.

Qualifications and Experience:

Experience, Skills and Knowledge

• Extensive, in-depth experience in speech and language therapy including working with people with a range of complex needs and their families.
• Significant knowledge of evidence based practice in designated specialist area
• Significant knowledge of current legislation relating to the role.
• In-depth knowledge of risk assessment processes and applications.
• High level of understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act and their applications
• In-depth knowledge of Safeguarding legislation and its application in practice.
• Significant experience of supervision of staff and therapy students.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written
• An understanding of standards of recording and reporting and ability to guide others in this respect.
• Proven ability to plan effectively and differentiate to meet individual needs.
• Skilled at making a differential diagnosis and identifying the appropriate intervention on the basis of evidence from assessment
• Experience of participating in quality improvement activities
• Well-developed organisational and self-management skills.
• Excellent presentational and teaching skills
• Experience of developing and leading training
• Excellent ICT skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage a complex caseload
• Able to work independently and in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Good group management skills
• Qualifications and Training
• Qualified SLT status and Dysphagia competencies completed
• HCPC Registered
• Member of RCSLT
• Clinical Supervisory Skills course completed
• Additional Supervisory Skills courses completed.
• An up to date CPD portfolio
• Affiliation to Clinical Excellence Networks
• Personal Qualities
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, valuing all contributions from team members and leading when needed.
• Commitment to learn new skills and share with others
• Commitment to undertake any training as required
• Commitment to participate in continued professional development (CPD)
• Commitment to provide relevant training for colleagues and families.
• Ability to adapt positively to changes in working practices
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• An ability to cope with the emotional demands of the post
• Self-aware and committed to personal and professional development. Able to reflect and critically appraise own performance and accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision.
• Ability to support others to work flexibly and cope with the demands of the role.
• Positive, empathetic and enthusiastic attitude
• Flexible and creative.
• Decisive and solution focused
• Highly organised.
• Committed to equal opportunities for all and to promoting a positive image of people with complex needs.

Desirable criteria

• Post-graduate training in areas relevant to the role up to Masters
• Experience of leadership roles
• Experience of working with challenging behaviour.

What They Offer You:

• Wellbeing support (including occupational health, physio services and counselling services)
• Contributory Pension Scheme.
• Induction and ongoing training.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a rewards scheme designed to save money on shopping
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Why work with Pulse?

From the moment you register with us, our focus is entirely on you. During our first conversation, you’ll quickly see that we understand your specialty inside and out.

Our expert recruitment consultants are dedicated to finding you the best opportunities and supporting you every step of the way to secure the perfect placement. With our preferred or sole supplier status with many clients, you’ll have access to exclusive opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else.

We always prioritise your best interests, engaging in meaningful conversations and truly listening to you. You are an individual, a professional—not just a resource.

How to Apply

If you are interested in registering with us, would like to know more about this position, or simply wish to discuss other opportunities we have available, we would love to hear from you. Please apply using the link below.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you consider yourself to have a disability or require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or within the workplace, please highlight this at the earliest opportunity by contacting our team. With this information, we will provide appropriate support throughout the process and into your work placement.

We are unable to support or accept applications from candidates who are residents of countries listed on the Red or Amber list of theCode of Practice for the International Recruitment of Health and Social Care Personnel in England, based on theWorld Health Organization (WHO) Workforce Support and Safeguard List.

#J-18808-Ljbffr