Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Acute In & Out Patients
Job overview
We have an rare opportunity for a dedicated and experienced Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) to join the Acute Medicine/Surgery Team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHTR). We are looking for someone who thrives in the fast paced environment of the acute setting and enables the wholistic management of outpatients, enjoys a complex and varied caseload and embraces change to support the Clinical Leads with service development.
This role requires cross site working and both in-patient and out-patient care, therefore excellent interpersonal skills are essential to build working relationships with multiple MDTs. The caseload includes critical care and seamless critical care step downs, respiratory, frailty, neurological disorders, gastro surgery and more!The ability to navigate complex ethical feeding decisions/dilemmas in the MDT setting is essential and instrumental assessment experience desirable. We are able to provide in-house VFS training for the right candidate however.
The service embraces evidence-based practice, CPD is actively supported and you will have the opportunity to continue to develop your clinical portfolio. Part time and flexible working will be considered.
Main duties of the job- To provide a specialist speech and language therapy clinical service to adults with acquired disorders of dysphagia and communication / voice.
- To work across in-patient and out-patient pathways and proactively engage in multidisciplinary team working.
- Support the clinical lead in the day to day running of the clinical area (critical care, acute medicine/surgery, out-patients) through implementation of their clinical knowledge, operational accountability and supporting staff as required.
- To provide input to the teaching, research, audit and service development functions of the department.
- To actively participate in CPD to maintain and expand clinical knowledge.
- To provide a service across both RPH and CDH sites and to support Trust initiatives in line with 7 day working and further service changes.
Working for our organisation
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust is a large acute organisation, delivering specialist services both locally and regionally. The Speech Therapy Department is situated at the Royal Preston Hospital site; however, we also deliver services to Chorley District Hospital and our new Community Healthcare Hub (intermediate care / step down facility).
We are a dedicated SLT service with excellent patient care at the core of our values, and our varied caseload provides complex presentations across dysphagia, communication and voice respectively. We have established VFS and FEES clinics, with in-service training to provide sustainability.We strive to continuously improve our SLT services through service development and innovation and are keen that audit / research are part of our clinical roles. We have strong clinical leadership within the department and structured clinical supervision and CPD is promoted.
You will join a large friendly team of speech and language therapists covering a range of specialist services. The department is rated 'GOLD' on the STAR quality assurance framework, with a strong commitment to evidence-based practice. CPD and training are well supported.
To find out more about us, look at our Twitter / X page @SLT_LTHTR
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the separate job description and person specification for full details:
- Actively promote high quality service delivery and Speech & Language Therapy presence in MDT working
- Provide care across designated areas, prioritising and advising the team lead when shortfalls are likely to occur.
- Management of a specialist caseload within the acute/outpatient setting.
- To contribute to the assessment, diagnosis and management of complex disorders (including critical care, respiratory, frailty, neurological) with support from a senior specialist SLT.
- To participate in instrumental assessment
- To navigate complex ethical feeding decisions/dilemmas in the MDT setting.
- To communicate effectively in a variety of settings
- To support personal and staff CPD
- To support equality of opportunity for both staff and patients
- To support clinical governance and quality agenda
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria- Recognised Degree / Masters in Speech and Language Pathology
- HCPC & RCSLT Registration
- Evidence of CPD in relevant areas
- RCSLT specialist dysphagia competencies
- Post graduate courses in relevant clinical area
Knowledge & Expereince
Essential criteria- Specialist knowledge of acquired disorders of communication and dysphagia
- Experience of managing dysphagia and communication disorders both in the inpatient and outpatient setting
- Understanding of the MDT
- Experience in audit and research
- Clinical educator
- Training and clinical supervision of others
- VFS training / experience
- FEES exposure
- Projects / audit
- Involvement in service development
- Working with other agencies
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria- Manage patients independently
- Analytical and problem solving skills
- Auditory and perceptual skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent written skills
- Good prioritisation skills
- Work well in a team
- Patient centred care
- Cervical auscultation
- Ability to develop delegated tasks
- Proficient I.T. skills
- data collection and analysis
Values and behaviours
Essential criteria- Ability to multi-task and work flexibly
- Alighment to Trust Values and Core Behaviours
- Self-motivated and can motivate others
- Enthusiastic and positive attitude to change
- Empathetic and high standard of care
- Self insight and commitment to CPD
We’ll contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application so please check the e-mail account that you applied from (including spam/junk) regularly.
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post.Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here
To support you in your application process we’ve created a What we can offer you guide that shows what you can expect when you join our hospitals. The guide includes links to our strategic aims and objectives as well as our values, development support and rewards and benefits.To help you get the best from your application we’ve also put together two guides to help you make your application the best it can be. Just click here and here to go through them, or have them open as you complete your application.
We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.
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If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for.There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.
AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice.Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Supporting Information
The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skill and experiences align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person.
Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations.Share work-related successes and challenges you’ve navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.
Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.
Working Smarter pledge
We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work-life balance.
Secondments
If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [email protected]
Young People
Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks
If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered.Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40 Standard DBS check £26.40 and Enhanced DBS check £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check.
DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here.
In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.
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We look forward to hearing from you soon!