Job summary There is an opportunity for a highly specialist Full Time Speech and Language Therapist within the Milton Keynes Adult SLT team. You will be working in our busy team of Acute Speech and Language Therapists in Milton Keynes University Hospital, and also undertaking a crucial role in leading on training and supporting service development. We aim to meet the needs of the service while recognising that therapists may benefit from a broad range of experience, and therefore there will also be opportunities to work in all clinical areas within Milton Keynes Hospital and closely with colleagues in the community SLT team. Main duties of the job To work as a highly specialist member of an acute SLT team across the acute inpatient population as demand requires Acts as lead clinician within the SLT service by identifying, implementing, and monitoring service development, working closely with the team leads and service manager Provides highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and appropriate speech & language therapy for adults with a range of highly complex eating, drinking, swallowing and communication difficulties. About us We are a friendly, supportive, and innovative team of therapists, and an associate practitioner, who are passionate about delivering high quality speech and language therapy where and when it is most required. We are lucky to be able to work within a variety of multidisciplinary teams, and also maintain close links as a Speech and Language Therapy team. We will offer Regular supervision and clinical discussion forums Internal/external training as appropriate to role Annual appraisal with personal development plans Access to excellent administrative support Date posted 09 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum (pro rata if P/T) Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 333-D-MK-CM-1112 Job locations Milton Keynes Adult SLT Department Milton Keynes University Hospital Milton Keynes MK6 5LD Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL DUTIES To assess, diagnose, treat and manage independently a highly complex and diverse dysphagia caseload, using instrumental measures (videofluoroscopy, FEES, sEMG) where appropriate, undertaking training in these where necessary. To assess, diagnose, treat and manage independently a complex and diverse caseload of people with speech, language and communication difficulties To work as an influential and effective member of the Speech and Language Therapy team. To participate in inter-disciplinary assessment of clients and carers needs and priorities. To provide information and highly specialist advice to clients, carers and professionals. To ensure clients are involved in the planning and prioritization of their care plans across the service. To participate in multi-disciplinary planning of intervention / management to meet clients identified goals. To provide highly specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes. To write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge. To negotiate with other professionals, families and carers around case management in complex cases. To adapt practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences. To use and promote the use of evidence based practice across the S< Service. To deal skillfully with complex issues and generate appropriate strategies for caseload management of self and others. To provide second opinions on request for complex clinical cases across the adult SLT service. To provide appropriate support and supervision to other therapists across the adult SLT service. PROFESSIONAL To monitor and lead on the training and supervision of other SLTs who are developing their skills in working with dysphagia at all levels, ensuring that there are suitable training and competency checking procedures in place. To ensure new national and professional clinical guidance relevant to the work with the client group and clinical specialism are evaluated and identified actions implemented. To undertake and promote the evaluation of new research, evidence and equipment that relates to the specialism. To develop care protocols / packages relating to client group / specialism. To participate in and ensure the development, marketing and delivery of training programmes that enhance the knowledge and skills of clients, carers and other professionals. To provide specialist training and presentations in areas of clinical expertise to other professionals. To ensure the service provides an equitable, timely and comprehensive range of interventions. To participate in and ensure the development of high quality and accessible information for service users. To provide service related information and specialist clinical advice on request from Managers and relevant external agencies. To engage in regular supervision and undertake an annual appraisal. MANAGERIAL To write and update policies and protocols for the client group in line with current evidence. To advise Line Manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall and service pressures. To assume delegated tasks including participation in working groups and policy development groups within the SLT service and the Hospital To monitor service delivery to the client group / specialism in range of acute localities and report to Line Manager. To monitor stock levels of equipment and request new equipment from Line Manager as appropriate. To oversee the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients. To identify training needs of team members in relation to the client group / specialism. To carry out appraisals as required. To gather, provide and when necessary analyse activity data accurately and regularly. Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL DUTIES To assess, diagnose, treat and manage independently a highly complex and diverse dysphagia caseload, using instrumental measures (videofluoroscopy, FEES, sEMG) where appropriate, undertaking training in these where necessary. To assess, diagnose, treat and manage independently a complex and diverse caseload of people with speech, language and communication difficulties To work as an influential and effective member of the Speech and Language Therapy team. To participate in inter-disciplinary assessment of clients and carers needs and priorities. To provide information and highly specialist advice to clients, carers and professionals. To ensure clients are involved in the planning and prioritization of their care plans across the service. To participate in multi-disciplinary planning of intervention / management to meet clients identified goals. To provide highly specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes. To write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge. To negotiate with other professionals, families and carers around case management in complex cases. To adapt practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences. To use and promote the use of evidence based practice across the S< Service. To deal skillfully with complex issues and generate appropriate strategies for caseload management of self and others. To provide second opinions on request for complex clinical cases across the adult SLT service. To provide appropriate support and supervision to other therapists across the adult SLT service. PROFESSIONAL To monitor and lead on the training and supervision of other SLTs who are developing their skills in working with dysphagia at all levels, ensuring that there are suitable training and competency checking procedures in place. To ensure new national and professional clinical guidance relevant to the work with the client group and clinical specialism are evaluated and identified actions implemented. To undertake and promote the evaluation of new research, evidence and equipment that relates to the specialism. To develop care protocols / packages relating to client group / specialism. To participate in and ensure the development, marketing and delivery of training programmes that enhance the knowledge and skills of clients, carers and other professionals. To provide specialist training and presentations in areas of clinical expertise to other professionals. To ensure the service provides an equitable, timely and comprehensive range of interventions. To participate in and ensure the development of high quality and accessible information for service users. To provide service related information and specialist clinical advice on request from Managers and relevant external agencies. To engage in regular supervision and undertake an annual appraisal. MANAGERIAL To write and update policies and protocols for the client group in line with current evidence. To advise Line Manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall and service pressures. To assume delegated tasks including participation in working groups and policy development groups within the SLT service and the Hospital To monitor service delivery to the client group / specialism in range of acute localities and report to Line Manager. To monitor stock levels of equipment and request new equipment from Line Manager as appropriate. To oversee the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients. To identify training needs of team members in relation to the client group / specialism. To carry out appraisals as required. To gather, provide and when necessary analyse activity data accurately and regularly. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Registered with UK Health and Care Professions Council Advanced training and/or experiential training in acquired communication and swallowing disorders Evidence of specific interest and development of highly specialist skills, or a commitment to develop these skills Desirable Successful completion of management/leadership short courses and/or evidence of skills obtained through experience Membership of relevant Special Interest Group/CEN Experience Essential Substantial experience in field of acquired communication and swallowing disorders Ability to work in pressurised environment Experience and competence in carrying out videofluoroscopy Developing and delivering training Contributing to policy, planning and service development Ability to carry out videofluoroscopy Desirable Ability to carry out FEES and work with tracheostomy Specialist post in Acute SLT Knowledge and skills Essential Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses up to Masters degree or equivalent experience Specialist training and/or experience in managing dysphagia, in line with RCSLT competency framework Desirable Membership of relevant CEN Person Specification Qualifications Essential Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Registered with UK Health and Care Professions Council Advanced training and/or experiential training in acquired communication and swallowing disorders Evidence of specific interest and development of highly specialist skills, or a commitment to develop these skills Desirable Successful completion of management/leadership short courses and/or evidence of skills obtained through experience Membership of relevant Special Interest Group/CEN Experience Essential Substantial experience in field of acquired communication and swallowing disorders Ability to work in pressurised environment Experience and competence in carrying out videofluoroscopy Developing and delivering training Contributing to policy, planning and service development Ability to carry out videofluoroscopy Desirable Ability to carry out FEES and work with tracheostomy Specialist post in Acute SLT Knowledge and skills Essential Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses up to Masters degree or equivalent experience Specialist training and/or experience in managing dysphagia, in line with RCSLT competency framework Desirable Membership of relevant CEN 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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 Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Address Milton Keynes Adult SLT Department Milton Keynes University Hospital Milton Keynes MK6 5LD Employer's website https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)