Job overview
BAND 6 SENIOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST (ADULT ACQUIRED DISORDERS) STROKE/NASU AND ACUTE DYSPHAGIA
An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated speech and language therapist to undertake a Band 6 post within our Stroke/NASU team. This post is ideal for someone already working at Band 5 level ready to take the next steps in their career development. Ideally you will have undertaken dysphagia training or are working towards this and will already have some experience of working in an acute stroke setting. You will be a team player, able to demonstrate commitment to learning and confident of working in a busy multidisciplinary team.
You will be supported by our friendly, experienced team of therapists, assistants and admin support based in our main office at The James Cook University Hospital, a large teaching hospital in Middlesbrough. The Directorate of Adult Speech & Language Therapy provides input to a range of specialist areas including Acute Stroke, ENT, Head & Neck Cancer, Maxillo-facial Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-oncology, plus the Regional Spinal Injuries Unit. The Trust also hosts the Middlesbrough MND Care Centre. Adult acquired community speech and language therapy is also provided by the Directorate.
Staff have access to excellent facilities for education and development in the STRIVE Academic Centre.
Main duties of the job
You will mainly contribute to the delivery of a high-quality service within the specialist area of stroke, with the opportunity, through a rotational programme, to work across the stroke pathway from the hyper-acute stage at The James Cook University Hospital, through to in-patient rehabilitation at the Redcar Primary Care Hospital and into the ESD team or in outpatient clinics.
As part of this role, you will also participate in a rota to deliver a 6 day service to the acute stroke unit. In addition, you will have the opportunity to further develop your dysphagia skills and clinical experience within the acute medical and surgical wards.
Within time you will also be able to broaden your skills and experience within aspects of neurology to enable delivery of an integrated service across the newly created NASU ward.
Regular support will be provided both from your line manager and through group clinical supervision. You will be encouraged to take an active role in service improvement (both within our own service and our wider healthcare teams), clinical governance and continuing professional development of self and others in leadership and mentorship.
You will support and mentor newly qualified therapists, rehabilitation assistants and students, and have the opportunity to be involved with attracting future candidates into the profession through participation in careers events and workshops.
Must have access to a vehicle for work purposes to meet the requirements of the role
Working for our organisation
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
Your Leadership Impact
Leading your Team to Success
Leading Into the Future
Service Improvement for Beginners
Developing your Service Improvement Skills
Lean Practitioner
The leadership and improvement programme aims to:
Explore leadership within the NHS
Promote Trust values and behaviours
Develop your leadership effectiveness and skills
Equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and complete service improvements within the scope of your role.
After you complete these six and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house and externally provided courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Significant post-graduate experience of working with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders including after stroke and with other medical disorders
2. Experience of working within an NHS environment
Qualifications and training
Essential criteria
3. Degree and licence to practice as a Speech & Language Therapist as approved by the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.
4. State registration as a qualified Speech & Language Therapist with the Health & Care Professions Council.
5. Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
6. Basic IT skills and competence (ability to use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, e-mail and internet and healthcare digital systems)
7. Completed post-graduate dysphagia training and competencies
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is now the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.