Speech and Language Therapist

This is an excellent opportunity for a permanent Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist with an interest in Intellectual Disabilities and associated physical and sensory needs and mental health conditions. The role involves providing communication and dysphagia support to service users across the Orion Unit (Assessment and Treatment Unit) and Lister Ward (Forensic Unit).

This post is split across Orion Unit, Highbury Hospital (3 days/week), and Lister Ward, Wells Road Centre (2 days/week), offering varied experience and opportunities to develop skills across both settings.

Using person-centred approaches, you will be responsible for providing Speech and Language Therapy assessment, developing formulations and interventions for patients, and provide written recommendations for a range of audiences.

You will use best practice to inform your practice and where appropriate standardised assessment tools and outcome measures.

Orion Unit supports adults with intellectual disabilities and complex mental health needs or behaviours that challenge, requiring inpatient care. Here, you will assess changes in communication during crises, support behaviour management, and implement visual and environmental communication strategies.

Main duties of the job

The role requires specialist clinical and professional expertise in order that people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their support providers benefit from a well-co-ordinated pro-active, specialist, efficient and effective speech and language therapy service within the designated setting. The service includes individual therapy and management, training, advice and consultation within the context of a supportive SLT team and diverse MDT.

You will be working alongside a Band 7 SLT and a full multidisciplinary team consisting of nurses, health care assistants, psychologists, occupational therapists, health care support workers and social workers. The use of direct and indirection interventions provides patients with appropriate opportunities for communication and enhances autonomy and choice, enabling them to be at the centre of their own care pathway.

The post holder is responsible for SLT individual and group assessment, formulation and diagnosis, individual therapy and management, training, advice and a consultative/coaching approach to meet communication and/or dysphagia needs.

The post holder will work as an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team across both settings and with a variety of agencies to maximise communication opportunities for service users and to provide support and advice to others on speech and language therapy issues.

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.