Specialist Speech And Language Therapist: Acute, Surgery And Trauma

Job overview

Are you passionate about providing high-quality Speech and Language Therapy services to adults in a fast-paced hospital environment? At St Mary's Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, you'll work with a varied and complex caseload, collaborate with expert SLT colleagues and multidisciplinary teams, and benefit from excellent development opportunities.

We have an exciting opportunity to provide specialist assessment and management of patients with complex communication and/or swallowing disorders resulting from acquired neurological, medical and surgical conditions. The post holder will be expected to provide a service to all the acute wards, with a specific remit for the general surgical and Neurosurgical wards, and patients admitted via the North West London (NWL) major trauma pathway. The caseload includes patients with tracheostomy and disorders of consciousness. Clinical support to patients in critical care, and cross-site support to Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals, may also be required according to service need.

The post holder will support the provision of instrumental swallow assessment and will be expected to provide leadership to the acute team, support the development of junior staff, participate in the development of the SLT service, including audit and research, and deliver teaching to other professions as an integrated member of the MDT.

Main duties of the job

• To provide comprehensive and specialist assessment and diagnosis for patients with a range of complex presentations, by utilising advanced clinical reasoning, evidence-based knowledge, analytical skills and specialist assessment techniques.
• To work both independently and within a team structure, demonstrating leadership to manage own and team caseload. To efficiently manage a caseload and organise this effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
• To formulate and deliver an individualised and specialist care plan / therapy management programme based on evidence-based practice, advanced clinical reasoning skills and a range of specialist treatment options. As a specialist clinician to provide a second opinion where required.
• To support the provision of instrumental assessments on site as clinically appropriate and as required by the service, triaging appropriate patients, under-taking joint assessments, analysis, reporting and feedback.
• To work in collaboration with the MDT to provide an integrated service for patients, participating in joint clinics, ward rounds, multi-disciplinary assessment/treatment, family/ carer support and education, attending regular meetings and case conferences as appropriate.
• To help lead and participate in quality improvement, clinical governance projects, audit and research as required by the Clinical Service Lead.

Working for our organisation

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career. Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews, please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree (or equivalent) in Speech and Language Therapy
• State registration with the Health Professions Council
• Evidence of CPD through maintenance of a portfolio, especially in the relevant clinical area

Desirable criteria

• Membership of the Professional Organisation
• Membership of Professional special interest groups relevant to speciality
• Relevant Postgraduate clinical qualification
• Management skills or leadership training
• Clinical Educators course or equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant recent clinical experience in relevant clinical area
• Evidence of a broad base of clinical experience at Band 6 level or equivalent
• Significant experience of working as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team and inter-agency working
• Experience of multidisciplinary goal planning, development of care pathways and using outcome measures
• Experience of organising and implementing training programmes for therapists, MDT members, support workers, students and apprentices
• Experience of service development/change management
• Experience in implementing evidence-based practice in speciality

Desirable criteria

• Previous Band 7 or equivalent experience in relevant post
• Recent, relevant work in an NHS environment
• Experience of using clinical governance framework to monitor and improve quality of patient care
• Experience of planning and managing service improvement activities

Skills

Essential criteria

• Advanced knowledge of assessment and treatment approaches for the effective management of relevant conditions
• Competency in managing tracheostomised patients
• Level 2A or above FEES competency
• Advanced skills in the appropriate application of a range of techniques and approaches to the management of relevant conditions
• Advanced clinical reasoning and problem solving skills
• Ability to remain updated with professional practice and research and integrate this into daily patient management
• Understanding of clinical governance and the implications for therapy services including experience of quality issues and audit
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships
• Ability to pass on knowledge and skills to others in both formal and informal environments
• Skills in supervision, mentoring and coaching
• Ability to cope with work pressures and manage time effectively

Desirable criteria

• Videofluoroscopy competency
• Knowledge of recent NHS developments and their impact on service provision
• Advanced computer skills for presentation and data analysis
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on

We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with general data protection regulation (GDPR).

Vacancy Closing Date

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please ensure you check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process. If you are shortlisted you will be contacted by email and text message (if you provide a mobile contact number).

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