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Highly Specialised Speech and Language Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 7
Main area: Speech & Language Therapy
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract: Permanent
Working Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 333-G-HM-0710
Site: Civic Centre
Town: Uxbridge
Salary: £51,883 - £58,544 per annum inc HCAS
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 22/04/2025 23:59
Job overview
We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced speech and language therapist to lead the speech and language therapy services for adults with learning disabilities in the London borough of Hillingdon. We welcome and encourage applications from band 7 applicants, or band 6 with experience looking to progress to band 7.
This is a rare opportunity to take the lead in the development of a safe and efficient speech and language therapy service for adults with learning disabilities. This dynamic role requires strong skills in leadership and innovation, in addition to previous experience of service development and delivery. We are looking for applicants who have a passion and commitment to working with people with Learning Disabilities and their carers.
Hillingdon is a vibrant, multicultural area and is very easily accessible from central London on the Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines, taking around 35 minutes to Baker Street station.
Opportunity to work virtually for 2.5 days.
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working in our healthcare settings.
Main duties of the job
As the local lead for Speech and Language Therapy within the Learning Disability Team, you would be responsible for the development and oversight of SLT clinical pathways, supervising and training junior clinicians, in addition to managing a diverse and wide-ranging clinical caseload. As a part of the multi-disciplinary team you would provide advice and support to colleagues working with people with learning disabilities across the MDT and neighbouring services.
Candidates should have extensive experience of autonomously managing both dysphagia and communication caseloads. Relevant experience of service development and working as part of a multidisciplinary team is also required. Ideal candidates would preferably have some experience of working with adults with learning disabilities, though we would welcome applications from experienced therapists from other clinical areas who have a genuine interest in learning disabilities and are looking to develop their skills in this area. You would receive regular supervision and support from the Speech and Language Therapy Professional Lead in Learning Disabilities within CNWL, in addition to peer supervision with other LD SLT team leads.
Band 6 appointees will be supported to progress to band 7 level through an agreed developmental framework which will be overseen and agreed with the Professional lead for learning disabilities, and the Hillingdon community team manager. Please see job description for more information.
Working for our organisation
Come and join us and be one of the 1500 Therapists / AHP’s in CNWL. We work in many different teams in both physical and mental health, as well as many specialist areas. You could have a career for life with us.
Personal and professional development is a high priority for the profession, enabling us to invest in the development of our staff by providing excellent internal training as well as commissioning specialised external training and providing quality supervision. This ensures all our therapists / AHP’s reach their full potential at every stage of their career. Our commitment to research, audit and evidence-based practice is made possible by our strong links with local universities and our CNWL AHP Research Network.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are a priority for us in CNWL. We expect staff to be culturally competent, reflective and open to culturally diverse CPD opportunities. We are working hard to support the recruitment and development of staff from all protected characteristics and welcome applications from any interested applicants.
Band 6 and 7 staff enrich teams and the service with their managerial and clinical expertise. We recognise this and therefore view them as staff we are committed to fully supporting in their clinical and managerial development. There will be opportunities to lead on trust wide projects, shadow senior managers and become a clinical specialist through an ACP programme or advanced training.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You should be highly skilled in the delivery of assessment, advice and intervention around communication and dysphagia for people referred to the service, their families and wider support systems. You should be able to independently manage your clinical caseload and have excellent clinical governance skills.
As the local lead, you would be responsible for managing all SLT referrals to the team, including appropriate triage and allocation within the timelines outlined by the service. You will also be responsible for ensuring safe service delivery and caseload management across the SLT service, and will provide regular supervision to more junior colleagues. There will also be opportunity for recruitment and interview experience for vacant SLT posts within the team.
We are committed to supporting continued development of clinical specialisms in areas of interest relevant to this post e.g. autism, dementia, dysphagia, AAC, mental health, positive behaviour support etc. There is also scope for shadowing and training opportunities across neighbouring services including acute SLT services at local Hospitals and Adult Community SLT services. You will be expected to contribute to the development of the wider community learning disability service, including input to new clinical pathways and Care Quality Improvement projects.
Please see job description for further details.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications:
* Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
* Registered with HCPC
* Registered with RCSLT as a qualified practitioner
* Post-graduate / intermediate dysphagia certification or relevant experience
* MSc or equivalent post-graduate study and training in specialist area
* Learning Disabilities, communication and dysphagia workshops and short courses
* Membership of relevant Clinical Excellent Network or equivalent
* Experience of carrying out highly specialist communication and swallowing assessments and intervention
* Experience and skills in working with people with complex health needs such as epilepsy, respiratory difficulties, postural needs and dementia
* Experience in participating in audit / research projects
* Experience in leading and/or developing a service/component of a service
* Experience of effective partnership working, with external providers and mainstream services in promoting socially inclusive opportunities for service users
* Significant post qualification experience in working with adults with learning disabilities
* Knowledge of the Positive Behaviour Support Framework
* Experience and skills in working with people with behaviour that challenges
Skills, Knowledge and abilities
* Highly developed skills in the assessment and management of complex dysphagia
* Knowledge and skills in using a range of communication assessment tools relevant to the client group
* Skills in using a variety of communication interventions including high and low tech visual communication aids, Makaton signs, Intensive Interaction
* Ability to work autonomously, on own initiative and under pressure to meet deadlines; & to make and action decisions independently within agreed time frames
* Excellent communication skills i.e. written, verbal, listening and proficient use of up to date systems of communication i.e. IT systems, e-mail, telephone etc.
* Computer skills (ECDL) to be able to complete electronic patient records such as Systm One, reports and presentations as appropriate to role
* Ability to deal with sensitivities and complexities, using interpersonal skills
* Effective leadership skills through the management of designated projects, audits and research
* Ability to implement a range of therapy outcome measures, evaluate outcomes and apply to service improvement
* Skills in supervising others including SLT students
* Skills in producing timely, accurate and informative reports and notes
* Excellent organisational skills to manage the demands of the role, including prioritisation of workload, delegation skills
* Highly developed written and verbal presentation skills
* Skills in developing and delivering training
* Ability to regularly identify and undertake appropriate learning and development opportunities as part of ongoing CPD
* Ability to ensure the application of risk assessment and risk management strategies which facilitates a service user’s management
* Ability to identify and effectively manage performance of self and others
* Ability to maintain effective partnership working with resources both internal and external to the Trust.
* Knowledge and application of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
* Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
* Experience in the application of the principles of clinical governance
* Ability to work well as part of a multidisciplinary team
CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.
Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.
We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page
Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.
CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
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