Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to be part of a new Vocational Rehabilitation Service across West Essex and Hertfordshire. This is a shared commissioned service between EPUT, CLCH and HCT NHS Trusts and is being hosted by EPUT. The SLT will work as part of an MDT to support patients following a stroke overcome obstacles to accessing, maintaining or returning to employment or other useful occupations or to support with a dignified exit from work if this should be the patient's desired outcome. The team will consist of an OT, Speech and Language Therapist and Clinical Neuropsychologist. The role of the Speech and Language Therapist, alongside the MDT, will be to carry out assessments, provide information, explore and support with generic and/or specific work skills In order to set goals and work towards a patients desired outcome. As this is a service working across three sites within West Essex and Hertfordshire there will be an expectation to travel. There will be an opportunity for Service development and leadership experience. Main duties of the job The post holder will be part of the provision of a new Vocational Rehabilitation service across Hertfordshire and West Essex. The post holder will be responsible for providing expert Vocational Rehab service (VRS) to stroke survivors within the Herts and West Essex ICS. To assess and treat a caseload of stroke survivor patients as an autonomous practitioner. The post holder will be responsible for the clinical development of the VRS within the team. The post holder will be an SLT lead in VRS and provide clinical expertise to members of the team and staff within outpatient clinics, community services, groups and also virtually. This role will require travel across the ICB area of Herts and West Essex. The post holder will have responsibility for the day to day VRS delivery promote the review and planning of the service with support and direction from the clinical leads across the ICS. About us EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including; Season Ticket Loans NHS discounts for staff Excellent Training facilities and opportunities Buying and Selling annual leave scheme The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work Day One Flexible Employer The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment Join our Staff bank What is Staff Bank? Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times. All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish. If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank. Date posted 15 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum, pro rata for part time, plus 5% HCA Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 364-A-8623 Job locations St Margaret's Hospital The Plain Epping, Essex CM16 6TN Job description Job responsibilities To carry out specialist Vocational Rehabilitation and SLT assessments of patients, as an autonomous practitioner using high level clinical reasoning skills and integrating knowledge of evidence based practice. To support patients according to their individual needs to return to employment (paid or voluntary) return to education or other means of vocation or by supporting a dignified exit. To establish and work within clinical pathways including but not inclusive of triaging, referrals and prioritisation of caseload and schedules. Ensuring monitoring of the service and outcomes are reported and escalated to service leads. To have overall accountability for the planning and management of a highly specialist VRS and clinical caseload. To contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the service through collection of appropriate data, use of evidence base, audit and outcome measures and lead implementation of change as required. Communication 1. Responsible for establishing/maintaining effective communication systems across MDT and multi-agency networks within the ICS. 2. Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to their needs, using appropriate communication services, including interpreters if required. 3. To demonstrate good negation skills across a range of issues. Education and Research 1. To initiate and undertake research/clinical governance/audit projects within area of expertise. 2. To represent the team within multi-disciplinary systems of clinical governance within the trust Management 1. To plan, prioritise and delegate VRS workload, effectively and efficiently with regard to patient care and professional demands. 2. To contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of current practice, through the collection of appropriate date, evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures and support implementation of change where required. Financial and Physical Resources 1. To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate. 2. To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standings of infection control and safety are maintained. Information Resources 1. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with professional standards and local trust policies and supervise junior staff in this area. 2. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines. 3. To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local trust guidelines. Policy/Service Development/Implementation 1. To contribute to the development of policies and standards in other clinical areas and to assist in their monitoring within the team. 2. To contribute to inter-agency and inter-disciplinary team building and policy development, this will require an understanding of the impact of national guidelines and legislation. 3. To be aware of, adhere to and implement service and team plans and policies. 4. To use specialist knowledge to inform service/policy developments as appropriate. Freedom to Act 1. To provide leadership for the junior staff within the team. 2. To interpret national and local policies and research relevant to VRS of Stroke in order to inform the service development. 3. To manage complex caseload independently working as an autonomous professional 4. To monitor and evaluate own highly specialist service delivery and provide progress reports. 5. To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate. Physical Effort To have due regard for your own personal safety and that of patients and carers, in particular to have regard to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensure the safe positioning of self and others. Mental Effort To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management for prolonged periods. Emotional effort To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of patients and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the physical, perceptual or cognitive deficits and implications of the same. Work Conditions To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with conditions related to patient contact as they arise: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious Job description Job responsibilities To carry out specialist Vocational Rehabilitation and SLT assessments of patients, as an autonomous practitioner using high level clinical reasoning skills and integrating knowledge of evidence based practice. To support patients according to their individual needs to return to employment (paid or voluntary) return to education or other means of vocation or by supporting a dignified exit. To establish and work within clinical pathways including but not inclusive of triaging, referrals and prioritisation of caseload and schedules. Ensuring monitoring of the service and outcomes are reported and escalated to service leads. To have overall accountability for the planning and management of a highly specialist VRS and clinical caseload. To contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the service through collection of appropriate data, use of evidence base, audit and outcome measures and lead implementation of change as required. Communication 1. Responsible for establishing/maintaining effective communication systems across MDT and multi-agency networks within the ICS. 2. Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to their needs, using appropriate communication services, including interpreters if required. 3. To demonstrate good negation skills across a range of issues. Education and Research 1. To initiate and undertake research/clinical governance/audit projects within area of expertise. 2. To represent the team within multi-disciplinary systems of clinical governance within the trust Management 1. To plan, prioritise and delegate VRS workload, effectively and efficiently with regard to patient care and professional demands. 2. To contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of current practice, through the collection of appropriate date, evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures and support implementation of change where required. Financial and Physical Resources 1. To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate. 2. To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standings of infection control and safety are maintained. Information Resources 1. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with professional standards and local trust policies and supervise junior staff in this area. 2. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines. 3. To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local trust guidelines. Policy/Service Development/Implementation 1. To contribute to the development of policies and standards in other clinical areas and to assist in their monitoring within the team. 2. To contribute to inter-agency and inter-disciplinary team building and policy development, this will require an understanding of the impact of national guidelines and legislation. 3. To be aware of, adhere to and implement service and team plans and policies. 4. To use specialist knowledge to inform service/policy developments as appropriate. Freedom to Act 1. To provide leadership for the junior staff within the team. 2. To interpret national and local policies and research relevant to VRS of Stroke in order to inform the service development. 3. To manage complex caseload independently working as an autonomous professional 4. To monitor and evaluate own highly specialist service delivery and provide progress reports. 5. To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate. Physical Effort To have due regard for your own personal safety and that of patients and carers, in particular to have regard to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensure the safe positioning of self and others. Mental Effort To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management for prolonged periods. Emotional effort To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of patients and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the physical, perceptual or cognitive deficits and implications of the same. Work Conditions To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with conditions related to patient contact as they arise: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious Person Specification Other skills Essential Ability to use various IT programmes Has own driving license and access to a car Demonstrates good written and spoken English Clinical Experience Essential Experience of working in Stroke Rehabilitation Desirable Experience of working in Vocational Rehabilitation Person Specification Other skills Essential Ability to use various IT programmes Has own driving license and access to a car Demonstrates good written and spoken English Clinical Experience Essential Experience of working in Stroke Rehabilitation Desirable Experience of working in Vocational Rehabilitation 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 Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Address St Margaret's Hospital The Plain Epping, Essex CM16 6TN Employer's website https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)