Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

A Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist post in the community Adult SLT team of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, covering adults with neurological conditions. The work is clinical: assessing, managing and treating adults with swallowing or communication difficulties, with independent management of a complex caseload and supervision of junior staff. Working patterns include job share, flexible and home or remote working, within a specialist neurological MDT. Proven postgraduate dysphagia experience and HCPC registration are required.

What the job involves

• Manage a complex and specialist caseload independently, using clinical judgement and outcome measures
• Provide specialist second opinions and advice to junior colleagues and other professionals
• Mentor, supervise and lead junior SLTs, and supervise and plan the work of assistants and volunteers
• Explain assessment findings, diagnoses and intervention plans to clients and carers, including delivering difficult news sensitively
• Take the lead on inter-agency team working and represent the SLT department at external meetings
• Negotiate case management, resolve conflict and deal with initial complaints
• Advocate for clients and carers in accessing statutory services and exercising their rights
• Write reports and case notes to RCSLT standards and trust policies
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge underpinned by current evidence-based practice
• Reflect on practice with peers and identify strengths and needs
• Take day-to-day operational responsibility for staff groups and advise the line manager on service pressures
• Provide full student SLT placements and contribute to the induction of new staff

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as a speech and language therapist
• Recognised speech and language therapy degree or equivalent
• Registered member of the RCSLT
• Master's degree or equivalent, evidenced by completed courses
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications in highly specialist dysphagia management

Experience

• Substantial postgraduate SLT experience, including some NHS experience
• Extensive dysphagia management skills, some within the clinical specialism
• Assessing and managing swallowing and communication disorders in adults with acquired neurological or progressive conditions, frailty, dementia or general medical conditions

Skills & knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools for the clinical specialism
• Advanced knowledge of trends and best practice within the specialism
• Advanced knowledge of therapeutic interventions and the ability to compare their relative benefits
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills

Nice to have

• Evidence of attendance at relevant courses and membership of relevant special interest groups
• In-depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance
• In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to the specialism

What’s offered

• Access to Talking Mats training
• Departmental budget for resources and equipment, including a communication aids budget
• Supervision and support structure, including a Trust SLT lead
• Internal and external professional development and training
• Flexible working and the opportunity to negotiate work hours
• Free staff parking
• Purpose-built work base
• Fast, effective IT and technology

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