Job summary
After a review of Speech and Language Therapy provision across the Trust we are pleased to offer a development opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist with experience of working in the acute hospital and rehabilitation settings and with acquired speech, language, voice and communication impairments and dysphagia.
This post is ideal for a band 5 Speech & Language Therapist with some experience looking towards developing into a Band 6 or a band 6 who is looking for a new challenge in a new trust. A training post may be offered if appropriate (Annex 21)
We are committed to providing student education and you will be required to contribute to clinical education for speech and language therapy students and contribute as part of the multidisciplinary team to the education of student across the trust.
To fulfil the role of Speech and Language Therapist you will need to have HCPC registration, be a member of RCSLT and have evidence of appropriate CPD activity and experience of working with adult patients.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
1. Have a working knowledge of a broad range of acute conditions
2. Deliver high standard evidence-based care
3. Perform therapy assessments of patients, providing a diagnosis to develop and deliver an individualised treatment programme
4. Demonstrate a flexible approach to day-to-day tasks
5. Be able to carry out complex holistic assessments
6. Make prompt clinically reasoned decisions
7. Participate in the care planning process, facilitating the patient's contribution to decisions about their care
8. Supervise staff within the team and students on placement
9. Have a minimum of 12 months post graduate experience
10. Have evidence of post graduate training and development
11. Practicing at a Level B dysphagia competencies and working towards Emerging level C
12. Have the ability to work flexibly and adaptably to changing working patterns as the team work their hours across a 7 day rota, participating in late shifts (11am-7pm)
Our team offer:
13. Regular support and supervision from experienced Speech and Language Therapists
14. In Service Training to promote clinical excellence and evidence-based practice.
15. Options to develop experience of working in Stroke, Acute Neurology, Voice, Dementia, Long Term Conditions ( Parkinson's disease, MND, MS and Huntington's disease) Frailty, Respiratory, Early Supported Discharge teams in the community and outpatient clinics.
16. Consideration of flexible working.
About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our Services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
17. Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
18. Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
19. National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
20. To work within Trust clinical guidelines, HCPC and Registrant Body guidelines and to have a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practise against these.
21. To work on Seddon Rehabilitation Unit.
22. To demonstrate as appropriate to role highly developed physical skills for assessment and treatment of patients eg dexterity, co-ordination, palpatory and other senses.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
23. To provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, and therapy for clients with complex communication and/or swallowing difficulties.
24. To develop a specialist knowledge within a specific clinical area.
25. To take individual responsibility for maintaining and developing clinical skills to ensure evidence-based practice is always offered.
26. To work autonomously and independently daily without immediate access to professional support. To be aware of when support is needed and professional boundaries.
27. To write reports reflecting specialist knowledge in complex rehabilitation as well as being meaningful to the recipient.
28. To have knowledge and /or experience of using Low and High tech AAC with clients.
29. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of clients with communication and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties.
30. To plan, set up and monitor treatment programmes carried out by rehabilitation assistants for clients on own caseload.
31. To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues.
32. To ensure that clients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.
33. To adapt practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences. This may include situations that are difficult or challenging.
34. To have current knowledge and skills in dysphagia caseload management.
35. To liaise closely with SLTs from referring settings and community teams to provide a seamless management of clients' needs.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
36. To maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up to date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements, and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.
37. To collect appropriate data and statistics for the use in the review of the service delivery.
38. To use appropriate information technology skills for communication when required.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES
39. To deliver relevant, evidence-based training to patients, families, carers, and trust staff.
40. To provide specific training as required to the patient, family, carers, and other members of the multidisciplinary team on the clinical and therapeutic management of an individual to support their health and wellbeing.
41. To supervise clinical and non-clinical staff (including students) as required to do so, considering the breadth of knowledge, skills and experience held and required.
42. To attend and contribute to local and national conferences and special interest groups within sphere of practice.
43. To maintain own CPD by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments, and incorporate them as necessary into your work, supporting other staff with their CPD.
LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
44. To demonstrate leadership by means of:
- Delivering change within sphere of practice, when and where indicated, to improve service delivery.
- Influencing, motivating, supporting, and enabling others to contribute towards the effectiveness and success of the trust.
45. To provide advice and guidance in working with colleagues locally to ensure best practice across all disciplines in the assessment, treatment, and long-term management of patients/ service users within sphere of practice.
46. To identify innovations and support implementation of new working practices in conjunction with patients/ service users, health, wellbeing, local authority and third sector partners.
47. To take responsibility for their own decision making and the decisions of their team which effect service delivery.
RESEARCH & AUDIT
48. Registered Practitioners are required to evidence maintenance of their registration with the relevant regulatory body and work to their Code of Professional Conduct.
49. To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects.
50. To measure and evaluate own work and current practices using evidence-based projects, audit, research, statistical information and outcome measures and lead others in doing so.
51. To network with practitioner colleagues within the trust and across the Northwest and Nationally, to learn together and share good practice.
52. To interpret and implement quality assurance practices within own work situation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
53. Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
54. HCPC registration
Desirable
55. Clinical Educators Certificate or equivalent/experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
56. Advanced clinical knowledge relevant to the care environment and evidence of evidence-based practise in relevant health setting
57. Substantial experience working with adults with acquired swallowing and communication disorders.
58. Experience of working with patients with complex neurological conditions.
59. Awareness of own strengths and limitations
60. Knowledge of relevant national policies and guidance and relevant assessment tools
61. Evidence of effective working within an MDT
62. Experience of Service development
63. Demonstrate experience of problem-solving approaches
64. Demonstrates continuous Professional Development
Desirable
65. Audit and research in a clinical area
Skills
Essential
66. Knowledge of evidence-based assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to acquired speech and language disorders in adults
67. Knowledge of evidence-based assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to acquired swallowing disorders in adults
68. Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
69. Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
70. Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings
71. Accurate record keeping, report writing and IT skills including presentation skills
72. Have a flexible approach to working with good time management
Other
Essential
73. Ability to travel various hospital locations by own car/ assisted driver