South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Due to increased investment in the Community Learning Disability team, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified and experienced Speech and Language Therapist within the field of adult learning disabilities.
We are an expanding team working across the Community in South Tyneside. The successful candidate can expect to work within a friendly, professional, and committed team consisting of nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, and psychiatry colleagues. They will receive regular supervision, annual appraisal, and training opportunities.
Main duties of the job
The post will involve working with adults with learning disabilities in the community across South Tyneside. Occasionally, it may be necessary to support patients within an acute or mental health setting. Our patients have a range of communication and dysphagia needs as well as co-morbid conditions.
The post holder will be expected to provide assessment, therapy intervention, and support to patients with learning disabilities and communication difficulties and/or dysphagia. They will be expected to work closely with families and caregivers, the local authority, police service, and the wider multi-disciplinary team as necessary. They should demonstrate motivation, organisational skills, empathy, and excellent communication skills. A car driver with own vehicle is essential for this post.
About us
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One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award-winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation, and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness, and civility and promote a compassionate, caring, and positive culture/work environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce's health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high-quality education, training, career progression, and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support, and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.
Job responsibilities
To provide a specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service to patients who have a range of communication/dysphagia needs, including those who have complex and/or severe difficulties. Patients may have diverse presentations and a range of physical, cognitive, and/or mental health conditions. The work may take place in a range of settings (including day services, residential settings, and the person's home). The role will involve assessment, diagnosis, prioritisation, triage, treatment, and discharge of patients.
To work as a member of the Community Learning Disabilities Team (CLDT), contributing to multi-disciplinary working across organisations to address the needs of patients referred to the team.
To manage a delegated caseload working collaboratively with patients, carers, and staff to meet the needs of patients.
To participate in service development and audit activities as directed by the appropriate lead.
To supervise the work of more junior SLTs, SLT Assistants/Technical Instructors, and students.
To participate in research in the specialist area as required.
To demonstrate Trust standards of behaviour and values to support our delivery of excellence in all that we do.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Speech and Language Therapy degree/qualification
* Current membership of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
* Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
Experience
* Experience of working with people with learning disabilities
* Experience of multi-agency working
* Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
* Able to hold own caseload and work with a high degree of autonomy
* Completed newly qualified practitioner competency framework
* Experience working with adults
* Preceptorship completed if applicable
* Experience supervising junior staff
* Experience working in a community setting
Skills and Knowledge
* Knowledge of relevant communication and/or swallowing disorders
* Knowledge of appropriate assessments and evidence-based interventions for communication and/or swallowing disorders and ability to perform these
* Ability to develop therapeutic partnership/rapport with patients/carers/families
* Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
* Working knowledge of safeguarding, the Mental Health Act, and the Mental Capacity Act
* Experience of involving patients/carers/families in goal setting
* Experience of working in challenging and changing environments
* Positive attitude to working with adults with learning disabilities
* Knowledge of national policies relating to adults with learning disabilities and able to implement learning/guidance from these in own practice
* Ability to prioritise own clinical/non-clinical time with good organisational skills
* Experience of working with dysphagia
* Experience delivering training packages to a range of professionals and caregivers
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist
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