Job summary We are invitingexpressionsofinterest for a 12-month secondment cover as an Advanced Speech & Language Therapist within the Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service (High Weald, Lewes and Havens Locality). The post holder will work at the very forefrontof community healthcare and will work alongside multi-disciplinary leads to deliver services that support skill sharing across professions and reduce avoidable harm becauseofdysphagia-related ill health. The position will be based primarily at Uckfield Community Hospital. However, the post holder will be required to travel across East Sussex, surrounding areas and to other Trust sites, therefore the post holder will need a full driving license and access to a vehicle. Main duties of the job The post holder will provide a triage, assessment and treatment service for patients living with dysphagia and/or communication difficulties. The post holder will also deputise for the Team Lead to support a team comprisingof: Speech & Language Therapists; Clinical Support Worker and Team Administrator. The successful candidate will have a proven track record and experience in: Leading clinical and non-clinical teams Service and pathway development Implementing new virtual modelsofservice delivery Autonomously managing high-levelsofdemand and clinical risk in a community-setting Reporting, investigating and managing adverse incidents. If you are a highly experienced Band 6 Speech & Language Therapist looking to broaden your experience and support the leadership of a teamof passionate clinical and non-clinical staff, then we would welcome a discussion with you. About us We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays. Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services. Why work for us? o Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeingo Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussexo Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retiremento Excellent training, development, and research opportunitieso Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brightono Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA, and Religion & Belief networkso Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trusto Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast Our values Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence guide everything we do. We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment. Date posted 17 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum pro rata Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Part-time Reference number 150-CP1568-PC Job locations Uckfield Community Hospital Uckfield TN22 5AW Job description Job responsibilities a) To independently prioritise, organise and manage a caseload, including complex casesb) To provide highly specialist evidence based intervention and evaluate clinical outcomes to ensure clinical effectivenessc) To use highly specialist knowledge and be an expert resource for the team and wider SLT serviced) To manage service delivery for daily operations, seeking support and guidance from the Deputy Operational Head of Service as required.e) To monitor demand and capacity within designated area, to ensure sufficient resources are available to maintain service delivery.f) To have direct contact with patients through assessment or treatment as required to support the service.g) To work with clinical leads to monitor performance, collect and analyse data, develop practice and standards of care.h) To manage personal and budgetary processes (including; recruitment, EPRF, expenses approval, absence management, process orders).i) To be responsible for ensuring effective induction for all staff within the area of responsibility and relevant students.j) To maintain own professional competence to practice.k) To ensure that all activity is person centred and MDT focussed.l) To use advanced skills and expert knowledge to ensure that care is based on best available evidence to improve health outcomes and promote health and wellbeing of patients.m) To act as professional role model for designated service area and uphold the Trust Values at all times.n) To ensure all staff work to appropriate competency frameworks and manage performance of individuals through the appraisal and supervision process. See job description for further details on the role. Job description Job responsibilities a) To independently prioritise, organise and manage a caseload, including complex casesb) To provide highly specialist evidence based intervention and evaluate clinical outcomes to ensure clinical effectivenessc) To use highly specialist knowledge and be an expert resource for the team and wider SLT serviced) To manage service delivery for daily operations, seeking support and guidance from the Deputy Operational Head of Service as required.e) To monitor demand and capacity within designated area, to ensure sufficient resources are available to maintain service delivery.f) To have direct contact with patients through assessment or treatment as required to support the service.g) To work with clinical leads to monitor performance, collect and analyse data, develop practice and standards of care.h) To manage personal and budgetary processes (including; recruitment, EPRF, expenses approval, absence management, process orders).i) To be responsible for ensuring effective induction for all staff within the area of responsibility and relevant students.j) To maintain own professional competence to practice.k) To ensure that all activity is person centred and MDT focussed.l) To use advanced skills and expert knowledge to ensure that care is based on best available evidence to improve health outcomes and promote health and wellbeing of patients.m) To act as professional role model for designated service area and uphold the Trust Values at all times.n) To ensure all staff work to appropriate competency frameworks and manage performance of individuals through the appraisal and supervision process. See job description for further details on the role. Person Specification Qualifications & Professional Registration Essential Degree (or recognised equivalent) in Speech and Language Therapy Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC Postgraduate and experiential training in relevant areas Evidence of a range of clinical competencies appropriate for the role Desirable Management qualification or willingness to undertake Experience Essential Significant experience of supervision provision Significant experience of working in the clinical setting Experience of managing a multi-professional team / collaborative working Desirable Experience of managing a team or other relevant management experience. Skills & Knowledge Essential Demonstrable expertise within clinical area underpinned by theory and significant experience Demonstrates excellence in communication skills with an ability to negotiate and manage conflict Current knowledge of local and national policies informing health and social care Demonstrate an ability to apply research to practice Knowledge of clinical governance, risk management and clinical audit Demonstrates ability to reflect and learn from situations Demonstrates a commitment to learning and development, skill sharing and developing staff competencies Other Essential Car driver with own transport Person Specification Qualifications & Professional Registration Essential Degree (or recognised equivalent) in Speech and Language Therapy Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC Postgraduate and experiential training in relevant areas Evidence of a range of clinical competencies appropriate for the role Desirable Management qualification or willingness to undertake Experience Essential Significant experience of supervision provision Significant experience of working in the clinical setting Experience of managing a multi-professional team / collaborative working Desirable Experience of managing a team or other relevant management experience. Skills & Knowledge Essential Demonstrable expertise within clinical area underpinned by theory and significant experience Demonstrates excellence in communication skills with an ability to negotiate and manage conflict Current knowledge of local and national policies informing health and social care Demonstrate an ability to apply research to practice Knowledge of clinical governance, risk management and clinical audit Demonstrates ability to reflect and learn from situations Demonstrates a commitment to learning and development, skill sharing and developing staff competencies Other Essential Car driver with own transport 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust Address Uckfield Community Hospital Uckfield TN22 5AW Employer's website https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/ (Opens in a new tab)