Job summary
Band 7 Speech & Language Therapist Team Lead - Acute
Are you looking for a new challenge or a career progression opportunity with a varied adult acute caseload while leading a team of proactive SLTs, a SLTA and our first SLT apprentice?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time Band 7 Acute Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist to join our enthusiastic, inclusive and forward-thinking team at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
We are a team of 16 SLTs, working across a range of services including critical care, neurological services, general medicine and surgery, and ENT and Head & Neck services.
This post includes assessing and providing therapy to patients on the adult acute wards (medicine, surgery, non-H&N oncology, cardiology), supervising junior therapists and contributing to service development.
We are seeking a knowledgeable SLT dedicated to patient care and invested in the development of junior therapists and service improvement. Experience in complex dysphagia management and supervision is essential.
We have our own FEES equipment and trained clinicians and endoscopists within the SLT team as well as providing a weekly VFS clinic. There is the opportunity to develop your own skills in FEES or videofluoroscopy as part of this post. You will receive regular management and peer development and will be able to access support from the wider SLT team.
Main duties of the job
* To be responsible for highly specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, formulation of treatment plans, writing of full and clear clinical records and assessment reports reflecting specialist knowledge.
* To provide appropriate specialist intervention, reviewing patients as appropriate and evaluating the treatment outcomes for each individual.
* To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues including case management in complex critical care cases.
* To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures.
* To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management.
A full description of the main duties is detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
About us
We have successful working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team and are a highly regarded speciality in the trust. We have excellent links to the community, including joint working in the videofluoroscopy clinic, and have weekly MDT meetings with our ENT colleagues to discuss any complex cases.
As SLTs, we always endeavour to further develop the service we provide to patients, increase our knowledge and experience within the team and engage with the hospital's quality improvement initiatives.
We are a friendly, supportive team and have strong links with the University of Reading SLT department including providing regular student placements and lecturing to the undergraduate and postgraduate students.
There are also opportunities for leadership and mentoring.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading was rated as "Good" at a recent CQC inspection and the top acute trust in England on thirteen areas of the 2024 staff survey.
The hospital is a short walk from Reading Train Station and a fantastic place to develop your career.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions and to find out more. We look forward to hearing from you.
Date posted: 26 March 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: TEMP_500
Job locations: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN
Job description Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details of the role.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications Essential
* Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent Licence to Practice
* Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist
* Member of HCPC in good standing
Knowledge, skills and abilities Essential
* Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
* Highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
* Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
* Knowledge of national policies and procedures both NHS, Government and local Authority
* Knowledge of relevant procedures and other relevant legal frameworks including Safeguarding Adults, Mental Capacity Act
* Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to the client group)
Previous experience Essential
* Relevant specialist experience post qualification
* Experience of working with complex acute inpatient cases
* Well-established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group
* In-depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group) and an ability to weigh-up relative benefits
* Experience in employing highly specialist interventions for patients and carers who have severe disability and/or terminal illness on a daily basis; and evaluate outcomes
* Experience in developing and delivering training packages to other disciplines, carers and service users
* Experience in inter-agency working
* Experience in supervising other Speech & Language Therapists and students
* Experience in changing own practice
Desirable
* Experience of using outcomes measures and audit
* Experience in service development initiatives and process
* Competence in either Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, Videofluoroscopy or Tracheostomy
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: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN
Employer's website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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