Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist - Head and Neck
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
We are looking for a highly skilled, motivated and innovative Clinical Lead SLT, with excellent communication and leadership skills to work alongside another newly appointed Clinical Lead to jointly lead the SLT Head and Neck Cancer service within UHL.
This is an exciting time for the service. Having provided an acute service to Leicestershire hospitals for many years as part of the community trust, the service has recently joined UHL and has continued to establish itself as an integral part of AHP services within UHL. The service is supported by a Clinical Service Lead and a new Head of Service. The Trust also has a Chief AHP, ensuring that all AHP services and professions are represented at Board and Executive Levels.
The post holder will support the development and expansion of this specialist service. This will provide a fantastic opportunity to work closely with colleagues within Leicester's ENT, Maxillofacial and Oncology teams to develop innovative clinical pathways to meet the needs of patients and their carers.
We are a friendly, innovative, supportive and culturally diverse team. As well as established relationships within UHL, the team has close links with education providers, Leicestershire community service and the wider AHP community. The service provides excellent opportunities for continuing professional development. Opportunities for flexible working, part-time working and job-share will be considered.
Main duties of the job
You will provide operational, clinical and professional leadership to ensure the delivery of high quality care to patients and their carers to ensure performance standards are met. You will also contribute to strategic leadership as part of the Speech and Language Senior Management team.
As an experienced and highly specialist SLT you will prioritise and manage a highly specialist caseload of head and neck cancer patients. This will include management of complex laryngectomy patients including valve changes, tracheostomy care and instrumental assessment of dysphagia (FEES and videofluoroscopy). Training needs can be supported as required.
Working in collaboration with the relevant Clinical Management Groups, you will be responsible for the transformation and continuous improvement of the service, using quality improvement approaches to support the development of an integrated, efficient, and responsive Speech and Language Therapy service.
This is currently a small team with opportunities to further increase the SLT workforce in this specialist clinical area. The post holder will support restructuring of the service, with the potential of creating leadership over two distinct areas e.g. inpatient/outpatient services and ENT/maxfax patients as staffing increases.
Job responsibilities
This post integrates clinical specialist care with leadership and opportunities to be involved in education, training, service improvement and research.
Applicants will have experience and clinical expertise in the assessment and management of patients with swallowing and communication difficulties arising from head and neck cancer and the resulting oncology and surgical interventions.
The post holder will lead, develop and manage a specialist team delivering services to the Trust's ENT, Maxillofacial and Oncology specialties in order to provide the highest standard and most effective patient care.
As an experienced and highly skilled SLT the post holder will provide clinical expertise in the specialist area of Head and Neck Cancer in an inpatient, clinic and outpatient setting.
The post holder will have experience in instrumental assessment of dysphagia (Video-fluoroscopy and FEES) and have experience in the management of patients with tracheostomy. Laryngectomy care and surgical valve restoration is an integral part of the SLT role. However, training can be provided to develop competencies in these areas for a suitable applicant.
The post holder will represent the SLT Head and Neck cancer service at regional and national level.
Please see detailed job description for further information.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
* HCPC Registered
* Completion of successful Masters modules or equivalent
* Registered with RCSLT
Experience
* In-depth knowledge of therapeutic interventions
* Knowledge of a broad range and relevant assessment tools to appropriate level of competency.
* Experience of managing a complex head and neck pathway caseload.
* Highly specialist knowledge of dysphagia
* Clinical educator experience
* Experienced in the assessment of communication impairment and application of AAC
* Surgical voice restoration competence including complex valve change.
Communication and relationships
* Highly developed written and verbal communication
* Able to provide and receive complex and sensitive information and adapt communication accordingly
* Highly developed listening and observation skills
* Managing emotional consequences of self and others, including when imparting sensitive and distressing information
* Evidence of negotiating skills and able to facilitate the resolution of conflict
* Evidence of managing staff performance
* Able to develop appropriate strategies to manage aggressive behaviour in the workplace
Analytical and Judgement
* Evidence of working with numerical data and able to analyse and interpret data
* Able to think laterally, evaluate options and solutions for complex issues
* Presents advice supported by reasoned judgment and evidence
* Understands confidentiality and data protection
* In-depth knowledge of clinical governance
Planning and organisation
* Safe caseload management and able to influence skills in others
* Proactive and flexible style
* Prioritise, meet deadlines and manage diverse/complex caseload including during times of pressure.
* Excellent organisation and supervisory skills
* Can work independently and use high level of initiative and decision making.
* Can give examples of quality initiatives to improve the delivery of patient care
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Commitment to understanding and importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
* Compassionate and inclusive leadership
Other Requirements
* Meets induction and mandatory training requirements
* Able to undertake light physical effort.
* Able to carry clinic and teaching equipment or use of correct aids
* Able to work in a variety of settings and access transport for relevant off-site meetings
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.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
£53,755 to £60,504 a year/per annum / pro-rata for part-time hours
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
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