Job summary
The Speech and Language Therapy Department at Kingston Hospital are pleased to offer this exciting position to lead and develop the Speech and language Therapy service on the Acute Stroke Unit.
The unit consists of 20 acute stroke beds and has a dynamic and innovative multi-disciplinary team with its own rehabilitation room. The Stroke Unit offers its own training programme and has regular MDT and service development meetings. The Unit has well established links with other Acute and Hyper-Acute Stroke services and other agencies. The role will also include providing senior input to the medical wards.
The successful candidate will be a strong team player, be highly motivated and flexible, with a commitment to new ways of working and have an innovative approach to patient care and service delivery.
Experience in acute care is essential, as is a background in neurology and rehabilitation. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate highly developed skills in the management of dysphagia and acquired communication disorders.
Main duties of the job
1. To provide an effective and evidenced-based Speech & Language service to adult in-patients with communication and / or swallowing difficulties within the Stroke Unit.
2. This role will also include specialist input for patients with other neurological conditions within the hospital.
3. The post-holder will be expected to coordinate seamlessly with other SLT teams within the Trust to provide prompt and timely management of acute patients, according to the demand of services.
4. The post holder will work as a highly specialist, autonomous practitioner, independently prioritising and managing an in-patient caseload.
5. The role will also have responsibility for overseeing the management of caseloads of more junior members of staff within the SLT department.
6. Participation in the development and monitoring of the SLT service to the Stroke Unit and medicine. Supervision / management of other SLT teams during periods of sickness / annual leave will also be required.
About us
Trust Values Kingston Hospital NHS Trust has five key values and we want to employ and work with people who share these values and demonstrate behaviours that support them. They are:
- Caring - Design and deliver care around each individual patient's needs and wants.- Safe - Make the safety of patients and staff our prime concern as safety comes first- Responsible - All staff take responsibility for the hospital, its services and reputation- Value Each Other - Value each other's contribution- Inspiring - We always strive to empower each other to develop and deliver improvements to benefit our patients
Job description
Job responsibilities
**Please see the attached supporting job description and person specification document, which contains more information about the role and requirements. Please ensure your application refers to the job description and person specification**
Person Specification
Education
Essential
7. Recognised degree or equivalent in Speech & Language Therapy
8. Registered with and member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health Professions Council (HCPC); HCPC licence to practice and eligible for full RCSLT register
9. Successful completion of highly specialist / expert short courses in the interpretation of Videofluoroscopy and / or FEES
10. Post graduate training in Supervision
11.. Post graduate qualification in Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER)
Desirable
12. Member of Neurological or other relevant CEN
Education
Essential
13. Completion of post graduate study / qualification in swallowing (accredited course) and communication disorders cervical auscultation, FOTT, LSVT, etc.
14. Evidence of completion of RCSLT competencies in videofluorsocopy to level KSF 4 and / or FEES (scoping competencies)
Experience
Essential
15. Extensive experience of SLT practice postgraduation with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders
16. Relevant SLT practice within an acute hospital environment
17. Proven experience of working at specialist level in the areas of swallowing and communication impairment
18. Experience of leading a Videofluoroscopy clinic, including interpretation of results and report writing
19. Experience in training and teaching other SLTs and the MDT in areas of clinical specialism
20. Experience of drafting clinical protocols and clinical pathways
21. Experience of developing and running quality improvement projects
22. Experience in supervising less experienced SLTs / students
Desirable
23.. Experience with FEES
Skills
Essential
24. Specialist SLT skills in the assessment and management of swallowing difficulties
25. Specialist SLT skills in Stroke and Neurology
26. Demonstrates skills in dealing with complex issues
27. Ability to formulate independent clinical decisions underpinned by evidence-based practice.
28. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
29. Ability to communicate with patients/ carers in an appropriate and professional manner
30. Good organisational skills
31. Demonstrates ability to be a team player
Other
Essential
32. Excellent team worker
33. Strong IT skills
Skills
Essential
34. Demonstrates a high level of reflective practice
35. Demonstrates high levels of empathy and compassion
Knowledge
Essential
36. Principles and practice of Audit, Clinical Governance, standards and care pathways
37. The role of AHPs and SLTs in the NHS
38. Relevant NSFs and NICE guidelines
39. Current best practice in Dysphagia
40. Current best practice in Videofluoroscopy / FEES
41. Current best practice in outcome measurement in Dysphagia and communication disorders
Other
Essential
42. Ability to work under pressure
43. Self-motivated
44. Flexible