Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity to work within our acute speech and language therapy team based at Royal Blackburn Hospital specifically on our critical care unit.
The job focus will be to deliver responsive speech and language therapy services to the critical care unit, working alongside the Clinical Team Lead SLT and as part of the critical care MDT. The pathway includes following patients on their journey to the acute wards and onwards to discharge.
This job also offers the opportunity to lead and contribute to service quality improvement projects as part of the acute speech & language therapy team, improving clinical outcomes for patients and demonstrating the impact SLTs have.
Main duties of the job
You will be a qualified and HCPC registered SLT with good knowledge of up to date assessment and treatment procedures for the adult population with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties. This post will suit a SLT who wishes to further develop their experience and specialism in acute SLT/critical care and it offers the opportunity to implement and evaluate new ways of working. There is an option for a band 5/6 transition post for a suitable candidate who is progressing level C dysphagia competencies.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required together with good organisational and time management skills. You will be able to work under pressure and be self directed, recognizing your own limits. Flexibility in working patterns to meet the needs of the service is essential. A future move to six day/bank holiday working is planned.
The service has a well established team of clinical leads including dysphagia, voice, head & neck, FEES, stroke, neurorehabilitation and progressive disease and is active in research. The service is well equipped and has clerical and assistant support. There are regular team meetings, a commitment to continuing professional development and an annual appraisal system.
Working for our organisation
Established in 2003 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) is a large integrated health care organisation providing high quality acute secondary healthcare for the people of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.
Our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 700,000 patients a year from the most serious of emergencies to planned operations and procedures. We employ over 8,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work and achievements.
The SLT service has an experienced team of clinical leads - Critical Care, Dysphagia, Voice, Head & Neck, Stroke, FEES, Videofluoroscopy, Neurorehabilitation and Community (including progressive disease).
Actively involved in a range of service and workforce initiatives across the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICS and research including collaborations with ELHT & AHP Professor in Neurorehabilitation and Stroke.
The service is well equipped and is supported by a team of administrators and Therapy Assistant Practitioners. Regular team meetings, an annual SLT Showcase of best practice, SLT, Stroke and Neuro Improvement Showcase and continual improvement is embedded in our daily work and service improvement initiatives.
We are committed to continuing professional development and this is underpinned by supervision, regular line management and an annual appraisal system.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Attached you will find the job description and person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Completion of a recognised training course awarding relevant degree/diploma approved by the RCSLT and HCPC
* Registered with the HCPC
* Member of the RCSLT
* Evidence of attendance on short courses post qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
* Individual and group treatment skills
* Post graduate clinical experience
* Experience of delivering training to colleagues in health and/ or other relevant agencies
* Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
* Experience of undergraduate student and/or support staff supervision
* Contribution to clinical education of junior staff/students/ assistants
* Experience of contributing to quality improvement projects for safe, personal and effective care
* Involvement in audit, research and evidence-based practice
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
* Knowledge of a range of communication and swallowing difficulties and their management relevant to the post.
* Knowledge of a range of Alternative and Augumentative systems of communication.
* Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group.
* Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to the client group.
* Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic
* Awareness of principles of clinical governance/audit.
* Awareness of the roles of other professionals relevant to the client group.
* Awareness of standards of record keeping
* Awareness of confidentiality as relating to the NHS
* Awareness of how to critically appraisal research articles.
* Excellent interpersonal skills – including, listening and empathy skills.
* Negotiation and problem solving skills.
* Good analytical and reflection skills.
* Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365
Other
Essential criteria
* Access to private vehicle to be able to travel across ELHT sites, including to patient's usual place of residence, where required
* Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner as required in accordance with the agreed job plan