Band 5/6 Speech and Language Therapist
Job Description
Job summary
South Warwickshire Foundation Trust
Adult Speech & Language Therapy Team
Band 5/6 SLT
Inpatient Stroke Rehab - George Eliot Hospital
Full-time (Part-time hours would be considered)
George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton
We have an opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist to join our in-patient stroke rehabilitation team based at the George Eliot Hospital. This post will join a wider team of approximately 40 SLTs as part of South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and work alongside the acute medical inpatient service.
The post-holder will initially be required to meet the criteria in the attached Band 5 person specification with the opportunity to work towards a Band 6 role once achieving dysphagia competencies, completion of NQP competencies and demonstrating the criteria in the B6 person specification/job description. We would also consider offering this as a Band 6 post to an individual with the relevant competencies, skills and experience.
Main duties of the job
To provide a speech and language therapy service to patients on a stroke rehabilitation ward at George Eliot Hospital. The post-holder will provide assessment, diagnosis and management of acquired communication and swallowing disorders (when appropriately trained).
The post-holder will be required to work as part of multi-disciplinary team and to liaise with families and carers where appropriate
About us
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
To take shared responsibility for a designated caseload of adults (supported by a band 6 and/or band 7 therapist) with acquired communication and swallowing disorders, predominantly as a result of an acquired neurological condition such as stroke, ABI or a progressive neurological condition; becoming independent with assessing, diagnosing and treating disorders in adults as part of a multidisciplinary team.
To support patients (and their families) in managing their condition.
To use a range of evidence-based assessment tools in the assessment of communication and swallowing disorders.
To provide therapeutic intervention with patients, either individually or in groups as best meets the needs of the patient
Identify indicators of potential associated medical conditions and refer to other specialists or professionals as appropriate.
To undertake training to achieve RCSLT competencies in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of swallowing disorders (dysphagia)
To refer patients appropriately for instrumental evaluation of their swallow where appropriate e.g. FEES, Videofluoroscopy
Use non-verbal communication skills to recognise the emotional needs of the client/carer and maintain sensitivity at all times, particularly when imparting potentially distressing information.
Use negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.
To use developed interpersonal skills to assess clients own goals where communication ability is a significant barrier
Provide expert facilitation of clients communication with others to ensure that they are central to the process
Play a pivotal role in ensuring effective joint working for clients with communication difficulties.
To use developed skills in motivating clients and their carers to engage with the therapeutic process, particularly when co-existing apathy or lack of initiation exist.
Demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
To work with the AAC specialist SLT to provide appropriate support with communication where indicated.
Communicate complex information, regarding communication and/or eating or swallowing, to patients, relatives and other professionals through written reports, programs and face to face discussion, matching communication style and content to the needs of the situation, including where there may be barriers to understanding.
Adapt practice to meet individual client circumstances including due regard for culture, social and linguistic difficulties.
To maintain up to date and accurate case-notes in line with SWFT and RCSLT professional standards.
To maintain clinical and non-clinical standards and work within the policy frameworks laid down (e.g. NHS, Trust, Professional, Health Care Professionals Council, Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists, relevant government policies etc.)
To participate in team, professional and personal development activities and promote commitment to continuous development and improvement.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
- Registered NQP member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
- Health Professions Council Registration
Desirable
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development since qualification including successful completion of specialist short courses
- Post graduate Dysphagia qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with adults
- Experience of working with a range of acquired neurological conditions including head injury and stroke
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates knowledge of standardised assessment tools relevant to the client group
- Demonstrates the ability to draw upon psychological knowledge to develop a holistic view of the client and assess the psycho-social impact on them, their family and environment.
- Demonstrates knowledge of a range of evidence based therapeutic interventions e.g. compensatory swallowing techniques, specific oral exercises, creation of communication charts, use of AAC and supported conversation
- Demonstrates knowledge of national policies, procedures, legislation and frameworks relevant to the client group.
- Demonstrates understanding of the use of client centred goal planning and the use of SMART goals
- Demonstrate the ability to prioritise caseload
- Demonstrate interest/knowledge of stroke/ABI
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Strong team player
- Well-developed communication skills and ability to match communication style to context.
- Good time management skills and ability to work flexibly
- Awareness of own limitations and ability to reflect on own practise
- Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative
- Able to concentrate for prolonged periods when undertaking assessments
Other
Desirable
- Car driver/owner
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. ...
