Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team Leader - Community (Band 7)
Be part of our future landscape
At Airedale, we are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We actively encourage applications irrespective of people’s age, lived experience of living with a disability or long-term conditions, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances.
Increasing our diversity and supporting our organisation to be more inclusive is a key priority here at Airedale and our teams are at the centre of how we work towards this.
We appreciate all people may have diverse and individual needs and we pride ourselves on supporting all people to thrive and flourish at work. We have frameworks in place that support reasonable adjustments and flexible working for colleagues throughout their working lives which starts at recruitment.
These are exciting times for Airedale. We have the once-in-a-career opportunity to be involved in the planning and building of a completely new hospital here on our Steeton site by 2030. By joining us now you’ll be a key part of our journey over the next few years, with the chance to input into a state-of-the-art, modern healthcare facility that will deliver care to our communities for decades to come.We are also on the journey to a new electronic patient record, part of our wider ambition for our digital future – a future that builds on our significant telemedicine and digital care success. Ultimately, what makes Airedale special is our people.
Not just our staff, but our volunteers, patients, visitors, and wider population who make up the Airedale family. This is a Trust that sits at the heart of our community, and our communities are very proud of their Trust.
Job overview
Due to maternity leave, we are looking for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with a passion for community care to lead the Community SALT Team for Adults in the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven locality for a fixed term of 12 months.
The Adult Speech & Language Therapy Team within Airedale NHS Foundation Trust works with adults who have a range of acquired and long term conditions in both acute and community settings.
It is essential that you are able to work as part of a team with excellent communication, organisation and planning skills.
Main duties of the job
Clinical- Ensure the team provides a timely and efficient clinical service to patients with reference to service priorities and responding to the changing needs of the team and the service.
- Ensure that all patients receive a high standard of clinical care from the team and that all team members meet the standards expected
- Use investigative and analytical skills to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the patient. Formulate individual management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills
- Monitor and evaluate the outcome of specialist interventions in partnership with the service user if possible, with the carer if necessary and in consultation with colleagues.
- Collaborate with the MDT to develop and improve patient pathways.
- Organise and manage staff for community SALT as agreed with the service managers. This will include informal management of absence and discipline and facilitation of regular team meetings.
- Have an overview of the team’s capacity and demand: Ensure protocols are followed, there is adequate cover across working hours and that all team members have an appropriate balance of clinical and professional activities.
- Recognise and respond to changing team priorities and unforeseen situations that take precedence over planned work.
- Contribute to the planning and development of the Adult Speech and Language Therapy team in partnership with the operational managers and other Team Leaders.
Working for our organisation
Our friendly and supportive Adult Speech and Language Therapy department comprises a team of Speech and Language Therapists, Therapy Assistants and Practitioners. At Airedale there is a strong commitment to supporting the CPD of all AHPs. Clinical support is available through regular clinical meetings, team meetings and peer review.As an integrated service SLT have exceptionally close working relationships with dietitians and clinical nurse specialists and the wider AHP workforce.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To lead the coordination and provision of a high quality, evidence based Community SALT service in the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven localities. To work effectively as part of an established team to provide highly specialist assessment, therapy, advice and support to adults with a range of swallowing and communication disorders in a variety of community settings.
- Be responsible for planning, coordinating, delivering and evaluating clinical case work for complex acquired communication and swallowing disorders across the locality.
- To take a lead on effective management of patient pathways for community Speech and Language Therapy
- To provide line management for a team of Speech and Language Therapists, Therapy Assistants and Practitioners
- The post-holder will promote the safety, maintenance and optimum role of physical resources at all times within the designated area.
- To work collaboratively with the Inpatient SALT team in order to develop the adult Speech and Language Therapy service.
- To work as part of the MDT ensuring that decisions regarding assessment and management of communication and / or eating and drinking are communicated in a timely manner.
- To work autonomously according to standards of professional practice as set out by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- To provide evidence-based, highly specialist Speech and Language knowledge and skills in the community setting
- Provide a key role in partnership working with patients, carers, the MDT, and wider statutory, private and voluntary sector services.
- To take responsibility for effective functioning of the Community Speech and Language Therapy team.
- To take a lead with quality improvements in acute Speech and Language Therapy including implementation of national guidance from RCSLT.
- Provide advice, training and supervision of Speech and Language Therapists, assistants and students within and external to the Trust.
- Provide support to operational and service managers deputising for them as required
In pursuing these duties, the post holder will ensure compliance with the NHS Constitution and the Trust’s Right Care strategy.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Degree or equivalent pre-registration award in Speech and Language Therapy with a certificate to practice recognised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- State registration with the Health Care Professions Council
- Post graduate Dysphagia qualification
- Recent post graduate courses relevant to acute inpatient Speech and Language Therapy
- Completion of course in Professional Practice education
- MSc or PhD in a relevant subject
- Post-graduate Diploma in Advanced Practice
- Certificate in Managing Health Services or equivalent
- Successful completion of a Professionally validated specialist course
- Involvement in relevant Professional Clinical Excellence Network
Experience
Essential criteria- Significant post graduate experience including recent experience in the NHS
- Highly specialist knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, treatment and general management of a wide range of swallowing and communication difficulties associated with acquired neurological disorders.
- High level of knowledge and experience delivering a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and evidence-based practice.
- Recent experience of team leadership and management.
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience of multidisciplinary guideline development, implementation and audit
- Experience of clinical supervision both as supervisee and supervisor
- Experience of supervising other staff members and conducting annual reviews
- Recent experience of leadership /management role
- Experience of taking part in or leading on Projects/ service improvements
- Experience of taking part in or leading an audit or research project
- Experience in dealing with Human Resource issues such as recruitment and retention, performance management, sickness and annual leave
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Highly specialist level of knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to support expert clinical practice in the community setting
- Knowledge of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working with key stakeholders in inpatients
- Knowledge of clinical standards and ability to implement and audit these in the team
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, audit and research
- Knowledge of the principles of student-centred learning and reflective practice
- Able to demonstrate knowledge of complex ad ethical decision making in dysphagia management.
Other
Essential criteria- To be a car driver with access to a vehicle
We are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities.
NOTE: This vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient suitable applications are received.
If you are offered a position which requires you to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £41.90, Standard £21.90 or Basic £21.90) from your first full months salary. This is a condition of your employment.
In applying for a post that requires a DBS check you are confirming that you have read and understood the DBS Privacy Policy for Enhanced and Standard Checks (Click here for the privacy policy)
You are encouraged to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £13 cost per year.