Specialist Speech & Language Therapist - Acute Medicine and Stroke

This post provides an excellent opportunity for a Band 6 SLT to consolidate their knowledge and skills in managing patients with swallowing and communication impairments across the acute and stroke pathways, within a friendly and supportive team. They will provide specialist assessment and treatment to adults with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties in the inpatient setting, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team (MDT). There will be exposure to, and opportunities to develop competency in, videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy management, as well as quality improvement initiatives. The post holder should be an established, qualified SLT who is independent in the assessment and management of patients with dysphagia and communication impairment. There will be opportunities to develop and support junior SLT colleagues and/or students. Regular supervision will be provided, including access to joint assessments, formal 1:1 meetings and peer support sessions. There are excellent continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities within the SLT service and as part of the wider MDT. Main duties of the job

• To independently manage a caseload of adults with swallowing and communication disorders on inpatient acute wards at Newham University Hospital
• To use specialist knowledge to independently assess, differentially diagnose and treat patients across the pathways, seeking support of more senior colleagues where required.
• To be actively involved in service development and to contribute to the ongoing development of specialist clinical pathways
• To deliver training/teaching to SLT colleagues, the wider multi-disciplinary team and students across Barts Health NHS Trust
• To participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through internal training in specialist areas, such as Videofluoroscopy and Tracheostomy, as well as external courses/ Clinical Excellence Networks (as applicable).
• To work closely with all members of the inpatient and community multi-disciplinary team to optimise patient experience
• To supervise band 5 SLTs, band 3/4 assistants and students (as required)
• To work flexibly in line with the needs of the service
  
  Essential
• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health & Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
Desirable
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Experience Essential
• At least 1 years' experience of working with adults with acquired communication & swallowing disorders
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
• Experience working with clients from multicultural/lingual backgrounds and working with interpreters
• Experience of working with videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy
• Experience working with SLT assistants & students, Knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to acquired communication/swallowing disorders in adults
• Knowledge of national policies, procedures and current research relevant to a stroke caseload and adult neurology.
• Knowledge of cultural and linguistic issues in working with a multi-cultural caseload
• Awareness of the principles of clinical governance /audit
• Awareness of the roles of other professionals
• Awareness of standards
Skills Essential
• Good analytical and reflection skills
• Well-developed concentration skills
• Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and to take initiative
• Ability to acknowledge need for, and seek support
• Ability to prioritise workload demands
• Comprehensive IT skills
• Adapt communication level to the needs of the listener e.g. patient/ consultant/family member
• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Demonstrates strengths in building rapport with key stake holders within the SLT team and wider MDT
Others Essential
• Attendance at relevant CENs/training courses and study days as part of HCPC's Continuing professional Development
• Compliance with Trust Policies and Mandatory & Statutory training
Person Specification Qualifications Essential
• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health & Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
Desirable
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Experience Essential
• At least 1 years' experience of working with adults with acquired communication & swallowing disorders
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
• Experience working with clients from multicultural/lingual backgrounds and working with interpreters
• Experience of working with videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy
• Experience working with SLT assistants & students, Knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to acquired communication/swallowing disorders in adults
• Knowledge of national policies, procedures and current research relevant to a stroke caseload and adult neurology.
• Knowledge of cultural and linguistic issues in working with a multi-cultural caseload
• Awareness of the principles of clinical governance /audit
• Awareness of the roles of other professionals
• Awareness of standards
Skills Essential
• Good analytical and reflection skills
• Well-developed concentration skills
• Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and to take initiative
• Ability to acknowledge need for, and seek support
• Ability to prioritise workload demands
• Comprehensive IT skills
• Adapt communication level to the needs of the listener e.g. patient/ consultant/family member
• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Demonstrates strengths in building rapport with key stake holders within the SLT team and wider MDT, Attendance at relevant CENs/training courses and study days as part of HCPC's Continuing professional Development
• Compliance with Trust Policies and Mandatory & Statutory training
  
  The successful candidate will work as a Band 6 SLT across the adult acute wards and stroke ward at Newham University Hospital - including the acute admissions unit, intensive care unit, respiratory unit, gastroenterology service and older peoples services., Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients. Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together. We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.