Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist ENT/HNC | Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
This is a 0.8 WTE band 7 fixed term post to cover maternity leave and an exciting chance to join our dynamic and busy ENT /HNC SLT Service.
You will be working with patients with Head and Neck Cancer across the patient pathway, from pre-treatment through to survivorship, and in our ENT clinics assessing and managing patients with voice and swallowing impairment.
We would love to discuss how you could join us and take advantage of the considerable opportunities for specialist training and professional development alongside our clinical experts. We offer flexible working patterns in a large teaching hospital.
There may be opportunity for further working with our team at the end of this fixed term contract. For further information please contact Katherine Behenna : katherinebehenna1@nhs.net or 0115 924 9924 ext 87741
In addition to the below summary, you need to familiarise yourself with the full Job Description and Person Specification documents attached to this advert.
To prioritise and manage a large and diverse caseload, ensuring practice is in line with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ Position Papers and Quality Guidelines, and the HCPC professional regulations.
Demonstrate highly specialist dysphagia competencies / developing competencies and clinical practice in line with RCSLT competency framework, position papers and guidelines for FEES, videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy.
Demonstrate highly specialist clinical skills and decision-making in the management of complex communication and/or swallowing problems for in- and out-patients following surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy related to HNC cancer and/or its treatment, and to non HNC patients being managed in the ENT department for a range of disorders (benign dysphagia; complex airway).
Demonstrate specialist clinical skills and competencies when assessing, treating and managing communication and swallowing problems after total laryngectomy, including surgical voice restoration and alternative communication methods (with training and supervision provided).
To be responsible for planning, provision, monitoring and evaluation of programmes of learning and development to other professionals within specialist clinical area.
The SLT ENT/HNC Service sits within the Surgery Division of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust and is a stand-alone SLT service. We benefit from strong HNC / ENT Surgical Division leadership and support at NUH as well as close links with other SLT Services within the hospital and across Nottinghamshire.
With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.
Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!
We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.
In addition to the below summary, you need to familiarise yourself with the full Job Description and Person Specification documents attached to this advert.
To prioritise and manage a large and diverse caseload ensuring practice is in line with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ Position Papers and Quality Guidelines, and the HCPC professional regulations.
To develop, deliver and monitor highly specialist interventions for patients within the defined pathway, encompassing all aspects of complex diagnosis and management for effective swallowing and communication.
To independently manage and prioritise own complex caseload in a highly specialist area.
To work collaboratively with a variety of different agencies/professionals across primary and secondary care, social services and the Voluntary sector.
To be responsible for planning, provision, monitoring and evaluation of programmes of learning and development to other professionals within specialist clinical area.
To represent the Speech and Language Therapy service at agreed forums as delegated by ENT SLT clinical lead.
Clinical Practice
To independently provide a highly specialist SLT assessment, diagnosis, intervention and advice service to patients with swallowing and communication impairments within the Head and Neck/ENT pathway, as well as services to families, support staff and professionals.
To undertake, interpret, and act on findings of diagnostic assessments (endoscopic swallow clinics; Videofluoroscopy x-ray swallow clinics) in line with RCSLT competency and clinical banding.
Manage patients who have undergone surgical voice restoration, training patients and their carers in voice prosthesis use and care, working mainly independently but accessing guidance from Clinical Lead as appropriate.
To take responsibility for managing patients with swallowing disorders, recognising complications of aspiration, and compromised nutrition and hydration, working closely with multi-professional agencies including primary care and palliative/end of life teams to ensure best clinical practice and patient safety.
To be skilled in recognising clinical voice/vocal fold movement disorders and undertake management as appropriate within competency, using and interpreting instrumental assessment procedures (endoscopic evaluation of larynx; acoustic assessments).
Clinical Leadership
Provide clinical training and supervision to junior SLT staff, SLT assistant/ technical instructor and SLT students
To delegate to assistant SLT, administrative and nursing staff.
To identify and contribute to team objectives reflecting local and national health and social care priorities.
To implement national and local policy relevant to specialist clinical area, ensuring service is consistent with these, and contributing to strategic planning.
Clinical Governance
To monitor and assess clinical competencies of junior staff and assistants within the clinical specialism.
To maintain a highly specialised knowledge base within particular clinical expertise.
Identify and minimise risk in order to enable safe working practices, advising the Pathway Lead and Head of Service of any concerns, includes maintaining pathway risk register, medical devices register etc.
To contribute to the clinical governance activities of the NUH ENT/HNC Service including reporting from incidents, near misses, complaints.
To proactively contribute to regional or national clinical excellence networks, either uni professional RCSLT groups or multi professional.
Research and Learning and Development
To ensure service delivery in delegated lead area is underpinned by available research evidence.
To be responsible for the development, provision and evaluation of programmes of learning and development for speech and language therapy staff including provision and/or coordination of student placements, mentoring and/or supervision of junior staff and assistants.
As a requirement of the post, undertake research and/or audit in accordance with the needs of the Trust and the profession, contributing to the growing body of local and national evidence.
To demonstrate own continuing professional development.
This advert closes on Sunday 20 Oct 2024