Senior Speech and Language Therapist

Are you a Speech and Language Therapist that is passionate about neuro-rehabilitation and being able to have a positive impact on an individual's quality of life? If so, we want to hear from you. We are recruiting a Senior Speech and Language Therapist with experience in neurological rehabilitation. The role is ideal for someone wishing to take the next step into leading an SLT service within a specialist neurological setting.

Working in an exciting and dynamic environment you will provide comprehensive assessment and high-quality communication and dysphagia therapy to individuals with a wide range of acute and progressive neurological conditions. You will have the opportunity to work closely with patients, families and staff, and utilise a wide array of resources and up-to-date technology. There will be opportunities to run training, provide supervision to junior colleagues and assistants, and run therapy groups. Continued professional development is actively encouraged within the service; we hold weekly therapy team meetings and in-service training. We frequently send our staff on external training, should the need arise, to keep knowledge up to date and to develop specialist expertise.

Recent service development projects and areas of clinical development within our SLT department include: facial palsy, cognitive communication disorders, respiratory muscle strength training, feeding with accepted risk, end of life care and oral care.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an SLT that has experience in assessing and providing therapy for communication and dysphagia in an adult neurological caseload alongside experience of supporting staff and service development. Those with less experience but a passion for neurological rehabilitation, evidenced by continuing professional development, are also encouraged to apply. Knowledge of a variety of adult speech, language, voice and CCD assessments (formal and informal) is essential, in addition to prior experience in carrying out both evidence-based and informal therapies. An interest in dysphagia and the ability to independently manage a dysphagia caseload is essential for this role.

As the Senior SLT at Marbrook, you will have access to:

• Regular supervision from the Therapy Lead
• A friendly multidisciplinary team consisting of OT, PT, Therapy Assistants, Clinical Psychology and nursing staff
• Regular on-site GP visits, and clinics led by our Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine
• A wide range of communication assessments and therapy resources, including iPads with app-based therapies installed
• A therapy-led service, where you can provide therapy at the frequency you deem clinically appropriate
• Multiple forms of therapy, including 1:1 therapy, group therapy and conversation partner training
• Weekly in-service trainings to support CPD, alongside the ability to request additional trainings to further your individual portfolio
• The ability to design, lead and deliver on service improvement projects

About us

The Marbrook Centre is a specialist Neurological Rehabilitation provider in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Since opening almost 10 years ago, we have developed a track record of consistently high-quality therapy outcomes and positive feedback from individuals and families and our ICB partners on the rehabilitation and care experience.

We hold three services within the one building:

• Eden - Inpatient Rehab Unit - Providing intensive rehabilitation for people post-stroke, acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury and other acute neurological conditions
• Bray - Long-term Nursing Unit - Providing nursing care for those with long-term neurological conditions
• Mayfield - Dementia Unit - Providing residential care for those living with dementia

At The Marbrook Centre, we put the individual at the centre of their rehabilitation and care with a significant focus on high-quality communication between the staff, the individual and their family. Speech and Language is a vital part of this process and is invaluable in giving a voice to those who otherwise may not be fully heard. We work closely with the medical and care teams, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Clinical Psychologists, who all work within the same building. The Speech and Language Therapy team input daily into the inpatient rehabilitation unit; providing intensive rehabilitation for around 4-6 weeks, and provide frequent input to those on the long-term nursing and dementia units.

Job responsibilities

Purpose of role: This postholder will be primarily responsible for designing and delivering rehabilitation programmes and supporting and coaching staff to achieve desired outcomes. The post holder will lead the Speech and Language Therapy service provision within The Marbrook Centre. As this is primarily a clinical role, this post holder will have day-to-day contact and involvement with residents, their families and visiting professionals.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Effectively manage a caseload of complex rehabilitation residents.
• Carry out in-depth assessments and use these to formulate therapeutic plans.
• Deliver high-quality person-centred dynamic rehabilitation sessions.
• Effectively utilise outcome measures to monitor effectiveness of therapy interventions.
• Work closely with members of the MDT to support residents and families with goal setting and discharge planning.
• Play a leading role in rehabilitation review meetings.
• Liaise with external agencies such as ICBs, social services, wheelchair services etc.
• Act as a key point of contact for residents and their family members.
• Produce high-quality written reports and rehabilitation documentation.
• Participate in the recruitment of the rehabilitation service staff team as required.
• Contribute to regular clinics with Consultant in Rehabilitation medicine.
• Act as Clinical Educator for students on placement.
• Provide clinical supervision and 1:1 support to members of the Therapy team.
• Provide clinical training and education to members of the MDT and care team.
• Take a leading role in CPD and personal development through regular supervisions.
• Play an active part in weekly MDT in-service training programme.
• Lead on devising and implementing service development projects.
• Provide education to patients, families and staff on communication difficulties and dysphagia.
• Liaise closely with all members of MDT to ensure both communication and swallowing guidance is understood and adhered to.
• Complete comprehensive assessments of a patient's communication, cognition and dysphagia.
• Take responsibility for ensuring therapeutic programmes are designed, delivered and evaluated.

General Responsibilities:

• Keep accurate and clear documentation in line with sector-specific and legal requirements.
• Participate and lead on audits as required.
• Keep abreast of new developments in the profession, and bring innovation and creative input to the role, for consideration and discussion with line manager.
• Attend all mandatory and developmental training courses relevant to the post and as agreed with the line manager.
• Work in accordance with all relevant legislation e.g. CQC standards, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty, Health & Safety at Work etc., and in line with The Marbrook Centre's policies and procedures at all times, contributing (if and when appropriate) to the revision of these documents.
• Take an active role in own personal and professional development.
• Act in line with Health and Safety at Work legislation and requirements and in line with The Marbrook Centre's approach to Health and Safety at all times.
• Adhere to all aspects of security and ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents, staff and visitors at all times.
• Ensure high levels of confidentiality when dealing with sensitive material and information, respect the dignity and confidentiality of our service users, and adhere to GDPR.
• Undertake any other duties from time to time, in order to maintain and enhance the service provision and as this role develops.

Equality & Diversity: It is the individual and collective responsibility of every member of staff to ensure adherence to The Marbrook Centre's equal opportunities, equality and diversity policies. Racial, sexual or any other harassment or bullying will not be tolerated.

Person Specification

Qualifications: Degree in Speech and Language therapy, Registered with HCPC.

Experience:

• Minimum 4 years working with a caseload within a clinical setting.
• Experience of liaison with outside agencies e.g. ICB, social services etc.
• Experience working in neurological rehabilitation.
• Experience of utilising and creating low tech AAC systems with a wide range of patients and their communication partners.
• Experience of working with people with Cognitive Communication Disorders, or willingness to develop skills in this area.
• Experience in completing Mental Capacity Assessments, and involvement in best interest decision making.
• Experience of staff support, recruitment, training & development processes.
• Experience of supervising more junior staff members.
• Experience of supervising students.
• Evidence of participation in Service Development Projects.
• Experience of supporting with advanced care planning and feeding at risk plans.

Knowledge and Skills:

• A keen interest in caring for people who have neurological conditions.
• To be friendly and approachable.
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills and areas of expertise.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Able to prioritise and work under pressure.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good quality IT skills.

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.

£45,427 to £53,944 a year. Salary dependent on experience.