Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Job overview
There is an opportunity for a highly specialist Full Time Speech and Language Therapist within the Milton Keynes Adult SLT team. You will be working in our busy team of Acute Speech and Language Therapists in Milton Keynes University Hospital, and also undertaking a crucial role in leading on training and supporting service development.
We aim to meet the needs of the service while recognising that therapists may benefit from a broad range of experience, and therefore there will also be opportunities to work in all clinical areas within Milton Keynes Hospital and closely with colleagues in the community SLT team.
Main duties of the job
To work as a highly specialist member of an acute SLT team across the acute inpatient population as demand requires
Acts as lead clinician within the SLT service by identifying, implementing, and monitoring service development, working closely with the team leads and service manager
Provides highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and appropriate speech & language therapy for adults with a range of highly complex eating, drinking, swallowing and communication difficulties.
Working for our organisation
We are a friendly, supportive, and innovative team of therapists, and an associate practitioner, who are passionate about delivering high quality speech and language therapy where and when it is most required. We are lucky to be able to work within a variety of multidisciplinary teams, and also maintain close links as a Speech and Language Therapy team.
We will offer- Regular supervision and clinical discussion forums
- Internal/external training as appropriate to role
- Annual appraisal with personal development plans
- Access to excellent administrative support
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
CLINICAL DUTIES- To assess, diagnose, treat and manage independently a highly complex and diverse dysphagia caseload, using instrumental measures (videofluoroscopy, FEES, sEMG) where appropriate, undertaking training in these where necessary.
- To assess, diagnose, treat and manage independently a complex and diverse caseload of people with speech, language and communication difficulties
- To work as an influential and effective member of the Speech and Language Therapy team.
- To participate in inter-disciplinary assessment of clients’ and carer’s needs and priorities.
- To provide information and highly specialist advice to clients, carers and professionals.
- To ensure clients are involved in the planning and prioritization of their care plans across the service.
- To participate in multi-disciplinary planning of intervention / management to meet client’s identified goals.
- To provide highly specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes.
- To write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge.
- To negotiate with other professionals, families and carers around case management in complex cases.
- To adapt practice to meet individual clients’ circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
- To use and promote the use of evidence based practice across the S< Service.
- To deal skillfully with complex issues and generate appropriate strategies for caseload management of self and others.
- To provide second opinions on request for complex clinical cases across the adult SLT service.
- To provide appropriate support and supervision to other therapists across the adult SLT service.
- To monitor and lead on the training and supervision of other SLTs who are developing their skills in working with dysphagia at all levels, ensuring that there are suitable training and competency checking procedures in place.
- To ensure new national and professional clinical guidance relevant to the work with the client group and clinical specialism are evaluated and identified actions implemented.
- To undertake and promote the evaluation of new research, evidence and equipment that relates to the specialism.
- To develop care protocols / packages relating to client group / specialism.
- To participate in and ensure the development, marketing and delivery of training programmes that enhance the knowledge and skills of clients, carers and other professionals.
- To provide specialist training and presentations in areas of clinical expertise to other professionals.
- To ensure the service provides an equitable, timely and comprehensive range of interventions.
- To participate in and ensure the development of high quality and accessible information for service users.
- To provide service related information and specialist clinical advice on request from Managers and relevant external agencies.
- To engage in regular supervision and undertake an annual appraisal.
- To write and update policies and protocols for the client group in line with current evidence.
- To advise Line Manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall and service pressures.
- To assume delegated tasks including participation in working groups and policy development groups within the SLT service and the Hospital
- To monitor service delivery to the client group / specialism in range of acute localities and report to Line Manager.
- To monitor stock levels of equipment and request new equipment from Line Manager as appropriate.
- To oversee the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients.
- To identify training needs of team members in relation to the client group / specialism.
- To carry out appraisals as required.
- To gather, provide and when necessary analyse activity data accurately and regularly.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Registered with UK Health and Care Professions Council
- Advanced training and/or experiential training in acquired communication and swallowing disorders
- Evidence of specific interest and development of highly specialist skills, or a commitment to develop these skills
- Successful completion of management/leadership short courses and/or evidence of skills obtained through experience
- Membership of relevant Special Interest Group/CEN
Experience
Essential criteria- Substantial experience in field of acquired communication and swallowing disorders
- Ability to work in pressurised environment
- Experience and competence in carrying out videofluoroscopy
- Developing and delivering training
- Contributing to policy, planning and service development
- Ability to carry out videofluoroscopy
- Ability to carry out FEES and work with tracheostomy
- Specialist post in Acute SLT
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria- Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses up to Masters degree or equivalent experience
- Specialist training and/or experience in managing dysphagia, in line with RCSLT competency framework
- Membership of relevant CEN
CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.
We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page
Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.
CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.