Speech & Language Therapist

Job overview

A fabulous opportunity has arisen to work in our award winning team. The North Children’s Speech & Language therapy service is part of MPFT and provides a service to North Staffs, Stoke on Trent, Stafford, surrounding areas. We also provide services to the University Hospital of North Midlands, as well as to a range of other commissioners in educational/care settings.

We are a nationally recognised team for leadership and excellence in prioritisation, developing universal and targeted approach and training. Our innovative Stoke speaks out www.stokespeaks.org approach has won 17 national awards. Our North Staffs Risk Matrix prioritisation tool has been shared with over 20 NHS services and we have a strong local and national reputation for high quality.

This is a Generalist band 5 post with clinical responsibility for assessing, diagnosing & managing identified speech, language and communication delays/disorders in different community settings. The post offers the opportunity for active contribution to team working.

The service is needs led and is able to offer you:

• Opportunity to work with a wide range of speech, language & communication needs
• part of a supportive, positive & solution focused team
• regular clinical support groups, team meetings, team development days
• professional development via our appraisal system
• routine clinical/managerial supervision
• excellent training and development opportunities
• a friendly working environment and flexible working arrangements

• Assess, diagnose and manage the communication difficulties of children in different settings across North Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent
• Advise and support parents/carers in their understanding of the communication difficulties diagnosed and the clinical decision made relating to treatment options that are offered.
• Work closely with Speech and Language Therapy colleagues in planning and delivering a service to meet the identified needs of the children referred to the service.
• Work with relevant medical, nursing, social and educational professionals either directly or indirectly to ensure that they understand a child’s communication profile and that the best way to support a child’s development is identified and agreed.
• Provide written programmes of work and reports for children on the case load as required
• Provide written reports to the Education Department when a Health and Education Plan is being developed.
• To represent the department by attending meetings in relation to children on the caseload.

Working for our organisation

• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
• Free flu vaccinations every year

And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information please contact Paula Simpson, Team Leader or Janet Cooper, Clinical Lead on 01782 234485.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more details.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
• HCPC registered

Experience

• Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy experience during training i.e. Clinical Placement.
• Assessment and management of developmental speech, language and communication difficulties in children across different settings.
• Experience of working in community clinics.

Knowledge

• Understanding of Information Governance, data protection, HCPC and RCSLT standards and safeguarding children.

Skills

• Able to travel within a geographical area to meet the required of the post.
• Good skills of self-awareness and the impact on others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to produce clear and accurate reports in a timely manner.
• Able to work on own initiative with direction. Able to judge appropriately when advice, direction or authority to proceed is required.