Speech and Language Therapist- Adult Service

Speech and Language Therapist- Adult Service

Walsall Healthcare Speech and Language Therapy Department has a permanent vacancy for a qualified Speech and Language Therapist working with adults within a dynamic and supportive team. The post holder will be required to work in a range of community settings including care homes, and the hospital site in the Walsall area. The successful applicant will be supported through training and supervision to develop their skills and competencies in the areas of acquired adult conditions and dysphagia.

The team values working in partnership with service users and their primary carers. There is a strong focus on a multi-disciplinary team approach working closely with nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and other care professionals. The adult team lead on new initiatives and have an excellent reputation for partnership working.

The Speech and Language Therapy team is strongly committed to clinical governance, personal and professional development and multi-disciplinary working. The team provide robust clinical supervision and training opportunities. For newly qualified staff joining the team preceptorship support and sessions are provided to support completion of the transitional framework.

The ability to travel is required.

PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to assess and deliver speech and language therapy to adults with a diverse range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), across a range of acute and community settings and organisations.

Once appropriately trained and having met the competencies the role will also include independent assessment and advice for adults with dysphagia.

About us

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.

Job responsibilities

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

• Communicates complex condition specific information from assessment to clients, carers and multi-disciplinary team members.
• Contributes to clinical teams both multi-disciplinary and uni-disciplinary working across organisations through the development of appropriate care plans.
• Promotes the role and understanding of the profession within the local community.
• Provides clear and concise written reports in line with departmental standards reflecting clinical knowledge.
• Provides advice training and support to others regarding the appropriate management and care of clients.
• Responds to concerns and escalates complaints to Head of the Adult Service

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages own time and prioritises workload.
• Manages caseload within departmental standards, seeking support from senior colleagues as appropriate.
• Makes appropriate clinical decisions regarding assessment and intervention, with access to a supervisor as required.
• Reports to line manager on issues of concern, progress, areas for own personal/professional development within the appraisal framework.
• Participates in the development and training of other professionals with support from senior colleagues.
• Provides work-based observations for work experience students and other relevant professional groups.
• Contributes to speech and language therapy student placements.
• Participates in departmental research and audit projects.
• Refers client on to other services as appropriate.
• Identifies risk and reports to Supervisor.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLIENT CARE

• Uses clinical knowledge to inform clinical judgements/decision making for caseload through assessment.
• Formulates care plans based on assessment findings and communication/dysphagia needs of the individual.
• Negotiates with carers/clients regarding individual case management, recognising breakdown/conflict when this occurs and seeks appropriate advice.
• Maintains timely and accurate client records in line with the Trust and Departmental records management policy.
• Demonstrates clinical effectiveness using evidence-based practice and Outcome Measures.

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contributes to the development and delivery of the Service Action Plan.

Actively participates in team meetings and within supervision sessions

Contributes to the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence.

• Understands legislation and adheres to National and Local clinical guidelines.
• Adheres to service pathways and standard operating procedures.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESOURCES

• Maintains equipment, ensuring standards of safety are maintained.
• Uses resources efficiently.

Reports if stock levels are low or equipment is required to deliver safe assessment

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Accountable for own professional actions

Recognises professional boundaries and seeks advice as appropriate

• Understands and adheres to Trust policies and professional standards
• Works independently accessing supervision within an appraisal framework. In the first-year post qualification this will be part of the Newly Qualified Therapists transitional framework
• Accountable for own professional actions.
• Recognises professional boundaries and seeks advice as appropriate.

Person Specification

Skills and competencies

Skills and knowledge

• Understanding of typical acquired conditions and appropriate interventions
• Experience of and understanding of assessment tools for both dysphagia and communication assessment
• Demonstrates good presentation skills both written and verbal

Skills and aptitudes

• Evidence/example of team working

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.

Speech and Language Therapy Service Manager

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