As a result of an internal secondment, we are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist with specialist skills in managing adults with acquired disorders of swallowing and communication secondary to Head and Neck Cancer and its treatment. You will be based at Guy's Hospital, working within a team of specialist SLTs in the acute service and with strong links to our dedicated Community Head and Neck Cancer team. You will be offering a highly specialist service in collaboration with and support from the Clinical Lead SLT. You will have significant postgraduate specialist experience of managing patients with complex swallowing and communication disorders associated with a diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. You will be able to demonstrate competence in independently managing patients with a tracheostomy and surgical voice restoration. You will have a high level of competence in undertaking videofluoroscopy and knowledge and experience of interpreting and reporting FEES. You will also have a proven track record of working as an autonomous specialist SLT within a multidisciplinary team. As part of this role, you will be required to supervise SLTs within the Guy's acute team. The service is able to offer you excellent supervision and peer support, with a strong emphasis on team working. We have regular team meetings, plus opportunities for CPD.Closing date: 12th January 2025 Interview date: 23rd January 2025
Main duties of the job
To autonomously take responsibility for delivering a highly Specialist service to adult inpatients and outpatients referred mainly from the ENT, Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Oncology departments with communication and/or swallowing disorders. This includes patients undergoing surgical voice restoration and other major Head and Neck surgery.
To contribute to the development of expert ENT/Head and Neck Speech and Language Therapy services in collaboration with the Clinical Lead SLT (Head and Neck) and Trust Head of SLT, and to be an autonomous advanced specialist resource.
In collaboration with the Clinical Lead SLT to take responsibility for planning and delivering training to the wider MDT.
About us
The Adult Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Department at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital consists of 26.2 WTE SLTs and 1.4 WTE SLT Assistants. We have considerable expertise within the team with members representing the profession on a number of regional and national groups as well as contributing to both local and national guidance and research.
The service is able to offer you excellent supervision and peer support, with an emphasis on team working. Quality improvement projects and research ideas are strongly encouraged, both within SLT and in the multi-professional teams. We have regular team meetings, plus opportunities for continuing professional development through in-house training, clinical excellence networks and external courses.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
1. To provide highly specialist independent clinical management of inpatients and outpatients with disorders of swallowing/communication referred predominantly from ENT, Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, and Oncology Departments. To demonstrate an advanced level of clinical decision making to assess, make a clinical diagnosis, develop, implement and evaluate specialised treatment programmes.
2. As a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to contribute to the Surgical Voice Restoration (SVR) programme at Guys Hospital and to ensure that all clinical risk management procedures are adhered to.
3. To involve carers in promoting and developing swallowing and communication skills of patients and where appropriate to train them in the management of SVR prostheses for laryngectomy patients. To utilize a high level of inter-personal skills to support both patients and carers in adjusting to changed circumstances.
4. To closely liaise with referring Consultants, other Medical Staff and Nurse Specialists to provide optimum treatment and support for patients after head and neck surgery and during radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy treatment. To initiate appropriate investigations e.g. Videofluoroscopies, FEES and evaluate these assessments in order to make recommendations regarding further surgical and non-surgical interventions.
5. To report instrumental assessment findings to the MDT regarding management recommendations plus utilise findings to design specialised therapeutic programmes of care.
6. To assess the need for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aids.
7. To be a core member of the Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Oncology team.
8. To closely liaise with the Community Head and Neck Team and refer patients on at the agreed point in their pathway. To refer to other agencies where appropriate and to write discharge reports to GPs and referring agencies as per departmental standards to ensure continuity of care.
9. To be an expert resource / 2nd opinion for SLTs in neighbouring Trusts including the Community Head and Neck Team with particular reference to management of patients with a head and neck cancer diagnosis.
Professional and Managerial:
1. To strictly observe a personal duty of care in line with departmental and Trust infection control policies when carrying out interventions with patients with dysphagia/ tracheostomy/ surgical voice restoration where there is close contact with body fluids.
2. To be aware of and comply with the Speech and Language Therapy Risk Management Strategy and ensure any incidents/complaints are managed and reported according to Trust policy.
3. To be responsible for providing day to day clinical/professional supervision of junior SLTs.
4. To keep adequate records as per departmental standards.
5. To participate in 1:1 meetings with the Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist.
6. To compile statistics in line with the policy of the Speech and Language Therapy Department.
Education and Training:
1. To keep up-to-date with current theory and evidence-based practice in the field of communication disorders, complex dysphagia management after Head and Neck surgery/oncological treatment and laryngectomy rehabilitation.
2. To contribute to the training programme to ENT ward-based staff in management of tracheoesophageal voice prostheses as required.
3. To undertake such other duties as shall be indicated by the Trust Head of Speech and Language Therapy to meet with the exigencies of the service and/or needs of the patients including cover for all inpatients on the Guys site as required.
Research and Audit:
1. To participate in Service Reviews/Quality Improvement Projects undertaken by the SLT Head and Neck Team in collaboration with the Clinical Lead SLT and peers.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential:
* Degree leading to license to practice as an SLT
* Masters or equivalent level of post-graduate specialist training short courses, specific training and membership of relevant National CEN
* Advanced videofluoroscopy training
* Head and Neck Oncology specific dysphagia training
* Attended basic/intermediate SVR courses
Desirable:
* Post-graduate training in interpretation and reporting of FEES assessments
* Advanced SVR Training
Experience
Essential:
* Significant specialist experience working with adults with acquired dysphagia / communication impairment including those with tracheostomies and following Head & Neck surgery
* Demonstrable experience of working with a caseload of laryngectomy patients
* Support and supervision of junior SLT staff.
* Informal/formal training of other professionals
Skills
Essential:
* Evidence of advanced independent management of patients with SVR
* Able to demonstrate ability to carry out and evaluate videofluoroscopy with a Head and Neck Oncology caseload.
* Knowledge/ experience of instrumental assessment of swallowing using FEES
Employer details
Employer name:
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address:
Guy's Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London
SE1 9RT
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