Job summary
Do you have what it takes to work as a community Speech and Language Therapist?
We are a small, friendly and supportive team providing speech and language therapy to adults in the community, based at Hadleigh Clinic (near Southend-on-Sea) in South East Essex.
We are looking for a confident and motivated Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to work with us, assessing and treating people with a range of acquired and progressive neurological conditions, non neurological conditions and voice disorders. Our work is varied and rewarding, making a real difference to our patients' quality of life.
Applicants will need to be fully dysphagia trained, with at least one year's experience of working as a qualified Speech and Language Therapist.
The post is full time ( WTE, hours a week) and is currently Monday to Friday, with no weekend working required.
Main duties of the job
1. To provide a Speech and Language Therapy service across South East Essex for adults with communication and swallowing disorders.; assessing and treating people with a range of acquired and progressive neurological conditions, non neurological conditions and voice disorders.
2. To make a differential diagnosis of communication and swallowing difficulties on the basis of specialist formal and informal clinical assessments; to ensure that all interventions are based on accurate, appropriate and sufficient assessment.
3. To provide programmes of therapy activities and demonstrations of those activities to those concerned (family, staff, visitors) to enable carry over and generalisation of new skills into the wider communicative environment.
4. To use appropriate outcome measures to evaluate personal clinical effectiveness.
5. To submit activity data, using SystmOne, accurately, regularly and promptly in accordance with agreed guidelines and policies.
6. To supervise the work of less experienced SLTs, students and assistants and ensure that those to whom tasks are delegated, have the appropriate level of competence.
7. To participate in development of SLT Service risk management, quality standards setting and Clinical Governance/audit projects, advising clinical lead of any changes or developments that may affect service planning and policy.
About us
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
8. Season Ticket Loans
9. NHS discounts for staff
10. Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
11. Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
12. The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
13. Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
14. Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
Job description
Job responsibilities
15. To work as part of the team to provide continuing care for people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties in the community.
16. To be responsible and accountable for the prioritisation and management of own clinical caseload.
17. To make a differential diagnosis of communication and swallowing difficulties on the basis of specialist formal and informal clinical assessments; to ensure that all interventions are based on accurate, appropriate and sufficient assessment.
18. To support and facilitate all patients in expressing their own views and needs, to enable them to take an active part in the planning of treatment.
19. To use clinical assessment of patients communication skills to support decision making about a patients capacity to consent to interventions and make decisions affecting future management.
20. To develop clear individual care plans based on clinical guidelines and established best practice.
21. To use appropriate outcome measures to evaluate personal clinical effectiveness.
22. To provide programmes of therapy activities and demonstrations of those activities to those concerned (family, staff, visitors) to enable carry over and generalisation of new skills into the wider communicative environment.
23. To consider the need to adapt clinical practice to meet the needs of patients and carers including issues relating to disability, culture and educational attainment the format of written advice, wheelchair access and interpreters.
24. To ensure smooth and appropriate handover of care from one agency to another; to provide reports, reflecting specialist knowledge and interpretation of specialist assessments, to other health professionals, including GPs and Hospital consultants as requested; to make and/or recommend onward referrals to other professionals or agencies, as appropriate.
25. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local guidelines and policies.
26. To submit activity data, using SystmOne, accurately, regularly and promptly in accordance with agreed guidelines and policies.
27. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.
28. To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment, ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained - including equipment loaned to clients and portable equipment.
29. To take responsibility for ensuring that equipment and assessment tools and other essential supplies are requested in a timely manner.
30. To participate in development of SLT Service risk management, quality standards setting and Clinical Governance/audit projects, advising clinical lead of any changes or developments that may affect service planning and policy.
31. To participate in undergraduate clinical and observational placements for all relevant disciplines.
32. To supervise the work of less experienced SLTs, students and assistants and ensure that those to whom tasks are delegated, unqualified Speech and Language Therapy staff, have the appropriate level of competence
33. To have regard for your own personal safety and that of the people, carers and any staff or colleagues under your direction, in particular with regard to moving and handling of people or equipment in order to ensure the safe positioning of self and others.
34. To maintain a high standard of professional practice as set out by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) in the professional code of conduct, the Health Professions Council (HPC) and service standards, including maintaining continuing professional development (CPD).
35. To work within Speech and Language Therapy Operational Policy and Clinical Guidelines.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
36. Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualification or equivalent
37. Health & Care Professions Council registration number
38. Completion of RCSLT dysphagia competencies
Desirable
39. Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
40. Successful completion of a post-basic dysphagia course recognised by the RCSLT
Knowledge
Essential
41. Knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to acquired and progressive neurological speech and language disorders in adults
42. Knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to acquired and progressive neurological speech and language disorders in adults
43. Knowledge of national policies, procedures and current research relevant to all caseloads.
44. Awareness of the principles of clinical governance /audit
45. Awareness of standards of record keeping and confidentiality
Desirable
46. Knowledge of cultural and linguistic issues in working with a multi-cultural caseload
Skills/Experience
Essential
47. At least 1 years' experience working with an adult caseload, managing swallowing disorders and communication issues.
48. Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team Good team working skills
49. Excellent interpersonal skills
50. Negotiation and problem-solving skills
51. Good analytical and reflection skills
52. Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
53. Ability to work independently and to take initiative, seeking support as required
54. Ability to prioritise workload demands and act on own initiative
Additional Requirements
Essential
55. To be able to move, sit and stand in a variety of positions to deliver treatment
56. Current driving licence and access to a car & ability to travel across sites & Trust boundaries