Job summary Due to maternity leave, we would welcome the opportunity for a Senior Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to join our team to support people with speech, language and swallowing needs due to Head & Neck Cancer. The post holder would assist and support the work of the Speech and Language Therapy service to patients with communication swallowing and swallowing needs. This could include the provision of communication and swallowing therapy, assisting at mealtimes, completing dysphagia screening tests, completing referrals and liaising with patients, families, carers and the MDT. The role is based in Head and Neck Cancer and Oncology and will cover both inpatients and outpatients, including group work and working with people post laryngectomy. QEHB benefits from one of the largest acute SLT teams in the country with more than 40 team members and our Trust is one of the largest teaching hospital Trusts in England serving a national and international population. The team offers: A full induction programme, robust supervision & peer support A wide range of opportunities for career development Well-being facilities, mindfulness sessions & an on-site faith centre Modern facilities with good transport links Support to attend training Main duties of the job The successful candidate would work within the SLT team at QEHB serving a clinical caseload within Head & Neck Cancer. You would work closely with the SLT Team Leaders, Specialist SLTs and Band 5 SLTs to provide an excellent level of care to our patient group. The role is fixed term for 12 months and is based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston Birmingham. The post holder will work closely members with of the multidisciplinary team at the QEHB with particular emphasis of close working relationships with ENT, dietetic team and nursing teams as well as with carers and voluntary organisations. The successful post holder will support the Speech and Language Therapy team at QEHB with the head and neck cancer caseload including with the following tasks: Working with voiceless patients-advanced communication skills to understand and support people who are alaryngeal Ordering the surgical voice restoration valves Organising and attending the laryngectomy and head and neck support groups Gathering patient feedback and collating findings about what works and doesn't work for the patients we support, this is particularly complex given poor literacy and communication compromise Supporting service development and service evaluation We would welcome interested candidates to get in touch for an informal discussion. Please contact Stef Matthews (Clinical Lead) via Stefanie.matthewsuhb.nhs.uk or 0121 371 3483. About us We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this. Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to: Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives. UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work. University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital. Date posted 07 November 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 304-1088481LD Job locations Queen Elizabeth Hospital Mindelsohn Way Birmingham West Midlands B15 2TH Job description Job responsibilities Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description Job description Job responsibilities Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths / English / Science Knowledge of speech, language and swallowing therapy techniques and verbal and non-verbal methods of communication - acquired through a combination of formal and informal training, short courses, and clinical experience up to a diploma level qualification or equivalent. Experience Essential Significant experience of working in a healthcare setting and ideally an acute dysphagia or communication caseload. Significant experience of working in a clinical environment Significant experience of working with the general public Experience of working as part of a team Significant knowledge of the role of Speech and Language Therapy Theoretical and practical knowledge of dysphagia, dysarthria, dyspraxia, dysphonia and dysphasia. Additional Criteria Essential Excellent written and verbal communication skills able to deal with complex sensitive issues on a one to one basis, with people who may have communication difficulties, in a group setting or via interpreters. Good interpersonal skills showing care and sensitivity to the needs of patients, carers, staff and colleagues. Ability to reassure, motivate and persuade patients to change. Ability to teach individuals or small groups. Good time management skills with the ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines. Good organisational skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to use own initiative and deal with non-routine issues in relation to patient care. Keen to embrace change consistent with delivery of service whilst keeping the patient as an individual at the centre of care. Punctual and reliable in service delivery. Ability to work weekends as part of a 7 day working pattern (when appropriate service delivery allows and commences) Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths / English / Science Knowledge of speech, language and swallowing therapy techniques and verbal and non-verbal methods of communication - acquired through a combination of formal and informal training, short courses, and clinical experience up to a diploma level qualification or equivalent. Experience Essential Significant experience of working in a healthcare setting and ideally an acute dysphagia or communication caseload. Significant experience of working in a clinical environment Significant experience of working with the general public Experience of working as part of a team Significant knowledge of the role of Speech and Language Therapy Theoretical and practical knowledge of dysphagia, dysarthria, dyspraxia, dysphonia and dysphasia. Additional Criteria Essential Excellent written and verbal communication skills able to deal with complex sensitive issues on a one to one basis, with people who may have communication difficulties, in a group setting or via interpreters. Good interpersonal skills showing care and sensitivity to the needs of patients, carers, staff and colleagues. Ability to reassure, motivate and persuade patients to change. Ability to teach individuals or small groups. Good time management skills with the ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines. Good organisational skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to use own initiative and deal with non-routine issues in relation to patient care. Keen to embrace change consistent with delivery of service whilst keeping the patient as an individual at the centre of care. Punctual and reliable in service delivery. Ability to work weekends as part of a 7 day working pattern (when appropriate service delivery allows and commences) 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). 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). Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Address Queen Elizabeth Hospital Mindelsohn Way Birmingham West Midlands B15 2TH Employer's website https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm (Opens in a new tab)