Job summary
We are seeking a band 6 Speech & Language Therapist on the Denmark Hill site to join our services within Stroke.
The Stroke Speech and Language Therapy team works closely with SLTs on all King's sites and the wider multidisciplinary teams, with whom they are co-located. Led by the Head of Speech & Language Therapy, and Band 8a Stroke the service offers an established supervision system, including action learning groups, plus a range of opportunities for learning and participation in both self and service development.
The Speech & Language Therapy department (based within Therapies) has over 40 staff providing inpatient and outpatient services across a wide and diverse range of specialities on our 3 main sites of Denmark Hill, Princess Royal University Hospital and Orpington Hospital.
This post will require the post holder to work every other weekend (2/4 weekends per month) unless otherwise agreed.
Main duties of the job
This Speech and Language Therapy post is a static post working across the Stroke unit & following patients through to ward step-down on the King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill site. The post holder will provide a specialist service to adults who have communication and/or swallowing disorders including some, on occasion, with tracheostomies in situ.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
1. To manage an autonomous caseload on the stroke unit, which will include assessment, contribution to differential diagnosis, and specialist SLT management for patients with acute, acquired communication and swallowing disorders, following King's College Hospital (KCH) Speech and Language Therapy evidence based guidelines and abiding by KCH Speech and Language Therapy service standards
2. To assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients with tracheostomies as part of the 7 day service in accordance with KCH multidisciplinary Tracheostomy Trust Guidelines and provide feedback for the tracheostomy ward round weekly as required
3. To identify barriers to effective communication within the environment and suggest and implement solutions where feasible
4. To introduce low and high tech communication aids as appropriate and train the patient, their family and friends and the staff on using alternative and augmentative communication aid systems or to refer on to the communication aid therapist at Bowley Close
5. To co-ordinate and promote communication developments under the guidance of a senior therapist mental capacity act issues, developing and delivering training on supporting communication, advising on environmental changes that support those with communication difficulties
6. To maintain and develop the use of AAC techniques and equipment across the team
7. To discuss, advise and plan appropriate patient goals with clients, carers and the multidisciplinary teams
8. To act as a key worker where appropriate
9. To provide complex and sensitive clinical information to patients and carers in clear, accessible and empathetic format, both in written and verbal for
10. To work as part of the multidisciplinary team negotiating appropriate therapy packages, length of stay and discharge arrangement
11. To attend ward rounds and MDT meetings as appropriat
12. To liaise on a regular basis with relevant hospital and community therapy teams
13. To liaise with other agencies to ensure appropriate follow up and care arrangements for patient
14. To contribute to the Videofluoroscopy Clinic at Kings College Hospital, providing general organisational cover where necessar
15. To develop and deliver training regarding communication and swallowing to carers, relatives and staff
Administrative Responsibilities
16. To maintain full, accurate and contemporaneous records within EP
17. To provide timely and accurate reports including transfer and discharge reports
18. To prepare for and participate in an annual job appraisal which includes a 6 monthly review with the SLT acute clinical lead
19. To attend Kings College Hospital Speech and Language Therapy team meetings
20. To provide full, accurate and timely statistical data
Leadership
To provide clinical support and advise to junior therapists within the team.
Education and Training
21. To participate in nurse dysphagia screen training programme run by the SLT department
22. To take part in the clinical training for SLT students as agreed and appropriate including preparation for and participation in practical exams
23. To participate in the SLT Department in service training programme
24. To pursue an active programme of continuing professional development including feedback to the team on any courses or conferences attended
Governance / Quality Control
25. To maintain and record an active programme of continuing professional development, including feeding back to colleagues on any courses or conferences attended
26. To make recommendations on service development and governance
27. To be an active member of relevant special interest groups
28. To participate regularly in the evaluation of the effectiveness of intervention and models of service delivery, maintaining up to date knowledge of relevant clinical practice and researc
29. To undertake specific departmental audit projects and contribute to departmental research where appropriat
Research and Service Development
30. To participate in relevant audit activity within Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trus
31. To participate in research initiatives in the relevant are
32. To publish and disseminate information which results from research and audit activity
People Management and Performance
33. Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.
34. Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans.
35. Ensure the team is compliance with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements, ensuring they are up to date and fully compliant.
36. Manage team absences including sickness in line with Trust policy ensuring the appropriate return to work meetings occur, e-roster is updated and productivity is at keep to the highest possible level.
37. Identify and fill any vacancies that arise within the team in line with the Trusts recruitment policy and process.
38. Identify talent and support the internal talent management process in order attract and retain and succession plan for your people.
39. Review skills mix at regular intervals in order to identify any potential opportunities to maximise resource utilisation / allocation, ensuring job descriptions are kept up to date.
40. Ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.
General The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
41. To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
42. To live and role model the Kings Values we are a kind and respectful tea
43. To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
44. To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
45. This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
46. All employees must hold an '' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
Safe Guarding
The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibilityto support the organisation in our duties by;
47. attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
48. familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
49. reportingany safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately
Infection Control Statement
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
50. Appropriate
51. HCPC registered
52. Postgraduate Dysphagia training
53. Postgraduate training in communication disorders and aphasia therapy
Desirable
54. RCSLT registered
55. Supervision Course
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
56. Established experience with adult acquired and neurological disorders in an acute setting including managing your own caseload and using a range of assessment and therapy techniques
57. Experience of working successfully as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
58. Previous involvement with audit / research
59. Previous experience of videofluoroscopy
60. Experience of working in a rehab setting
61. Active membership of relevant SIGs
62. Up to date knowledge of the mental capacity act
63. A specialist interest in AAC
64. Experience of student supervision and training
65. Experience of supervising junior staff
Skills & Competencies
Essential
66. Excellent written and spoken communication skills and ability to communicate sensitive and complex information
67. Collaborative and consultative skills within multidisciplinary working
68. Good presentation and teaching skills and ability to devise appropriate training and information packages
69. Good observational and analytical skills in assessment
70. Ability to plan and implement appropriate treatment plans
71. Demonstrate ability to manage and prioritise a caseload autonomously, and liaise across teams and services as required
72. Demonstrate ability to carry out relevant projects
73. Demonstrates motivation and flexibility
74. A flexible approach to working patterns which may include participating in providing a 7 day week service
75. Good auditory and perceptual skills
Desirable
76. Competent in tracheostomy management