Job summary
- Main area
- Therapy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent: This post may be offered under Annex 21 AfC Terms & Conditions, subject to experience, competency and suitability.
- Hours
- Part time - 22.5 hours per week (This post may be offered under Annex 21 AfC Terms & Conditions, subject to experience, competency and suitability.)
- Job ref
- 409-4856972-G
- Employer
- Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St Helens Hospital
- Town
- St Helens
- Salary
- £37,338 - £44,962 Per Annum, Pro Rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/11/2024 23:59
- Interview date
- 03/12/2024
Employer heading
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Annex 21)
NHS AfC: Band 6
After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist who is looking to develop specialist skills in the rehabilitation of complex communication and swallowing disorders, within a close interdisciplinary team at Seddon Specialist Rehabilitation Unit. We would also consider a development opportunity for an experienced band 5 therapist looking for an opportunity to progress to a band 6 post within complex rehabilitation.
We are looking for a speech and language therapist that is committed to delivering quality, person-centered rehabilitation that maximises independence and helps people to rebuild their lives following complex illness or injury. As part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN), we provide individually tailored intervention programmes to suit the need of patients who have suffered traumatic and life-changing diagnoses. We are a motivated, forward thinking interdisciplinary team that is led by a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine.
This post may be offered under Annex 21 AfC Terms & Conditions, subject to experience, competency and suitability.
Main duties of the job
The role involves working with adults with acquired and progressive neurological conditions, and requires knowledge and understanding of the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders. The role also involves a complex dysphagia caseload and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop skills in swallowing rehabilitation and dysphagia management alongside a band 7 speech and language therapist. Opportunities to develop skills in videofluoscopy will also be provided.
The successful candidate will be an effective communicator and listener with a compassionate nature and commitment to delivering outstanding patient care, be willing to go the extra mile and think outside of the box. A flexible approach to day to day tasks is essential in order to meet the demands of the service. You will be keen to develop your assessment and intervention skills for patients with complex communication and swallowing disorders and be able to work as an integral part of the interdisciplinary team.
Working for our organisation
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our Services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
- Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
- To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients/clients in your care.
- To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients/clients under your care and support more junior staff to do likewise.
- To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients/clients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use specialist clinical reasoning skills and appropriate assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.
- Formulate and deliver an individual treatment programme using assessment, reasoning skills and treatment skills based on a sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and treatment options. Formulate an initial diagnosis and prognoses in order to recommend best course of intervention and develop comprehensive discharge plans.
- To take delegated responsibility from the Band 7 clinician for managing patients/clients with particular conditions and be responsible for providing specialist assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions.
- Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes as required.
- To have the ability to undertake self-directed/lone working in a variety of locations.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- To maintain Professional Registration
- To work within Trust clinical guidelines, HPC and RCSLT guidelines and to have a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practise against these.
- To be responsible for a designated area of work, as delegated by a senior clinician. Plan and organise efficiently and effectively patient/client caseload, and use of time for self and more junior staff.
- To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
- To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of treatment and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
- To provide specialist clinical advice to colleagues working within other clinical areas
- To provide specialist clinical advice, teaching and training to other members of the MDT regarding the management of patients
- To train, supervise and performance manage more junior staff and students. This will include the use of formal appraisal documentation.
- To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise potential and to ensure understanding of their condition.
- To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients/clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
- To communicate highly sensitive information effectively with all patient groups/clients/carers where there may be difficulties in accepting or understanding information.
- To maintain tact and diplomacy and use highly developed communication skills when working in situations which may become hostile/antagonistic including potential complaints as per Trust Policy
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
- To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and local requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.
- To undertake as directed the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include participating in a variety of MDT, internal and external agency meetings and forums plus other forms of verbal/written communication as necessary including report writing and referrals to other agencies.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
- To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments and incorporate them as appropriate into your work. To support junior staff to do likewise.
- To be an active member of relevant training programmes attending and delivering presentations and training sessions at staff meetings, tutorials, and by attending external courses and being a reflective practitioner
- To participate in the supervision scheme as supervisor and supervisee.
LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
- To demonstrate leadership by means of:
- Delivering change within sphere of practice, when and where indicated, to improve service delivery.
- Influencing, motivating, supporting and enabling others to contribute towards the effectiveness and success of the Therapy Team
- To provide specialist advice and guidance in working with colleagues locally to ensure best practice across all disciplines in the assessment, treatment and long-term management of patients/ clients within sphere of practice.
- To deputise for the band 7 in terms of operational issues
- To take responsibility for their own specialist and complex decision making and the decisions of their team which effect service delivery
- To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by senior staff.
- To participate in working parties developing policy changes within speciality which will impact on all service users.
CLINICAL GOVERNANCE, RESEARCH & AUDIT
- To adhere to the RCSLT code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and facilitate compliance of staff with local and national standards of practice.
- Implement policy and service development changes as directed.
- To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situation.
- To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence-based practice projects, audit and outcome measures under the guidance of senior staff. Make recommendations for change and to implement change.
- To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate.
- To support research activity within the Service
- To engage actively in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to service to promote evidence-based practice.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
- HCPC registration
Desirable criteria
- Clinical Educators Certificate or equivalent experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Advanced clinical knowledge relevant to the care environment and evidence of evidence based practise in relevant health setting
- Substantial experience working with adults with acquired swallowing and communication disorders.
- Experience of working with patients with complex neurological conditions.
- Awareness of own strengths and limitations
- Knowledge of relevant national policies and guidance and relevant assessment tools
- Evidence of effective working within an MDT
- Experience of Service development
- Demonstrate experience of problem solving approaches
- Demonstrates continuous Professional Development
Desirable criteria
- Audit and research in a clinical area
Skills
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of evidence-based assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to acquired speech and language disorders in adults
- Knowledge of evidence-based assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to acquired swallowing disorders in adults
- Excellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
- Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings
- Accurate record keeping, report writing and IT skills including presentation skills
- Have a flexible approach to working
Other
Essential criteria
- Ability to travel various hospital locations by own car/ assisted driver
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Lisa Barklin
- Job title
- Advanced Clinician Speech and Language Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01744 646185
- Additional information
Additionally please contact
Jo Sim
Advanced Clinician Dietitian
01744 646185
(Informal visits to the unit are welcomed and encouraged prior to application)
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