Job overview
Southport Hospital has the exciting opportunity to advertise a Speech and Language Therapy post which will offer a stimulating and challenging role in the assessment and management of inpatients with dysphagia and who are recognised as living with frailty and ageing.
The successful candidate will join a growing, supportive, and innovative team of Speech and Language Therapists with a diverse set of skills, who take pride in offering the very best care for our patients. The SLT team is comprised of a consultant SLT, Highly Specialised SLTs, Specialised SLTs, Newly Qualified SLTs and SLT assistants.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will provide specialist assessment and management of patients living with frailty and ageing at any stage of their hospital journey, including A&E admission, during their inpatient stay, and assisting safe and timely discharge. This will include working alongside Frailty Practitioners, Medical Registrar and Consultants in Geriatrics.
You will have opportunities to develop skills in areas such as frailty/ elderly care, emergency medicine, respiratory medicine, and progressive neurological disorders, while working closely with SLT and MDT colleagues.
The post holder will independently provide a comprehensive specialist clinical service specifically to adults admitted who are living with frailty and ageing, and who have communication and swallowing disorders. They will provide training, direct, and indirect support to other professionals relating to communication and swallowing disorders and will participate in the development and implementation of care pathways, departmental policies, and protocols. The successful candidate will work across all inpatient wards and contribute to weekend working.
At Southport Hospital we hold regular Video fluoroscopy clinics and have implemented the MBSImP protocol. We also have an established FEES service. For the right candidate, there is potential for development opportunities in these areas.
Working for our organisation
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 – Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
· Undertake specialist therapy assessment, clinically diagnose and implement treatment plans for patients with dysphagia and communication disorders in a manner that respects people’s privacy, dignity, and individuality.
· Liaise with the Multi-Disciplinary Team and external agencies to ensure effective management of patient care, communicating patient information as required.
· Manage a clinical caseload ensuring patients are seen in a timely manner.
· Ensure effective internal and external 2-way communication with patients, carers and all other Health and Social Care Professionals regarding all aspects of patient care.
· Provide and receive complex information requiring empathy and reassurance, and address barriers to understanding (e.g., motivational interviewing, counselling).
· Formulate and implement individualised care plans, reviewing progress and adapting as required.
· Contribute to development and evaluation of resources, information and training packs, and specialist advice.
· Provide cover for leave and sickness as appropriate and participate in MDT meetings.
· Contribute to development of departmental/organisational procedures and guidelines and ensure safe use of medical devices.
· Participate in shift patterns to support a 6/7 day service as required and provide training sessions for other health care professionals and patient/carer groups.
· Work autonomously while recognising limitations and escalating as needed.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
* HCPC Registered
Knowledge & Experience
* Experience of working in a health, social or personal care setting as a Speech and Language Therapist with adults with a range of acquired communication and dysphagia disorders.
* Confidentiality and data protection procedures in relation to patient information
* Awareness of NHS issues, National Policies and relevant frameworks/quality indicators
* Knowledge of evidence-based practice and its importance
* Experience within Multidisciplinary Team
* Awareness of clinical governance and CPD maintenance
* Awareness of health and safety issues and reporting mechanisms
* Basic competency in videofluoroscopic examinations and tracheostomy management
Skills
* Time management and autonomous working with problem solving and decision making
* Record keeping and data management according to service standards
* Motivating and guiding others with practical advice
* Clinical reasoning and holistic problem solving
* Stress management; empathy and tact in clinical settings
* Interpersonal, written and verbal communication
* Teaching and presentation skills; assertiveness
* Positive representation of the Therapy Team and reflective practice
Other
* Complex physical activities across clinical sites; travel between sites including hospital and community settings
* Moving and handling with equipment; use of medical devices
* Frequent concentration in assessing patients and devising care plans
* Communicating complex information to clients, families and carers with barriers
* Managing unpredictable demands and prioritising clinical work
* Overcoming barriers to communication; may require interpreters
* Direct contact with health, social care, education professionals, patients and carers
* Exposure to distressing circumstances; terminally ill patients; exposure to bodily fluids
* Travel requirements of the post
We encourage informal conversations and visits; contact Heather Woodcock for more information: heather.woodcock@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk | 01704 704361.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion statements and Guaranteed Interview schemes are included as part of the application process where applicable.
The Trust is committed to flexible working and supports NHS Terms and Conditions of Service.
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