West London NHS Trust's Physical Health AHP Team needs a senior speech and language therapist for adult and older adult mental health inpatient wards, with a deputy role for the Team Manager. The core is specialist assessment and management of communication and swallowing difficulties, including dementia, stroke and brain injury, alongside supervision of junior colleagues. Clinical leadership and deputising duties build over time with support from the Team Manager. Applicants need HCPC and RCSLT registration plus a Level C/D dysphagia competency.
What the job involves
- Manage an independent caseload of specialist communication and swallowing assessment and management on adult and older adult mental health inpatient wards
- Provide clinical supervision and support to junior SaLTs in assessing complex presentations
- Contribute to multidisciplinary care planning, clinical decision-making and risk management
- Work with ward teams, dietitians and physiotherapists to deliver integrated, person-centred physical healthcare
- Deputise for the Team Manager alongside other senior AHP clinicians
- Take on clinical leadership and supervisory responsibilities as the role develops
- Contribute to multidisciplinary training, quality improvement, audit and service development
What's required
Qualifications
- Recognised speech and language therapy degree or equivalent
- RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Level C/D (2014 framework or equivalent)
Registration & licences
- HCPC and RCSLT registration
Experience
- Substantial post-qualification experience with adults and older adults, including managing a complex caseload autonomously
- Independent assessment and management of acute and chronic dysphagia, including mealtime management and outcome evaluation
- Assessment and intervention for speech, language and cognitive-communication needs, including complex presentations
- Effective multidisciplinary working on dysphagia and communication needs
- Clinical supervision of junior SLTs and/or students
- Delivering training or structured groups to service users and/or staff, and developing structured groups
Skills & knowledge
- Knowledge of assessment tools and evidence-based interventions for dysphagia and complex communication
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Accessible Information Standard, clinical governance, audit and quality standards
- Clear verbal and written communication, empathy and collaborative interpersonal skills, including high-quality documentation
- Ability to adapt communication to individual, cultural and linguistic needs
- Sound professional judgement, prioritisation and time management, practising autonomously amid competing demands
Other
- Reflective practice, engagement in supervision and commitment to Trust values
- Ability to travel between clinical sites, with reasonable adjustments where appropriate
Nice to have
- Relevant postgraduate or additional training, e.g. AAC, Makaton, Talking Mats, Intensive Interaction or supervision
- Experience with adults with mental health conditions, neurodivergent people, or complex communication and behavioural support needs
- Experience applying the Accessible Information Standard in clinical practice
- Experience using total communication approaches, including AAC and visual supports
- Experience supporting and escalating complex swallowing decisions
- Experience in service development, audit, quality improvement, research or innovation, with knowledge of their methodologies
- Ability to develop and support specialist areas of clinical practice or services
- Leadership potential, emotional intelligence and willingness to take delegated management responsibilities
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
