Speech And Language Therapist

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustSouthport Hospital has a band 5 Speech and Language Therapy post which will offer a stimulating and challenging role in the assessment and management of inpatients with communication needs and/or dysphagia who are admitted to the general medical and surgical wards.The successful candidate will join a growing, supportive, and innovative team of Speech and Language Therapists with a diverse set of skills, who take pride in offering the very best care for our patients.
The SLT team is comprised of a consultant SLT, Highly Specialised SLTs, Specialised SLTs, Newly Qualified SLTs, and SLT assistants.As a band 5, the successful applicant will work under the close supervision of a designated clinical supervisor to develop a wide range of skills in the assessment and management of patients with communication needs and/or dysphagia, on the general medical and surgical wards.
You will work as an essential and valued member of the Acute General Medical and Surgical Team, with close and regular informal and formal support from Specialised and Highly Specialised Speech and Language Therapists.
While consolidating your training and gaining experience, you will have opportunities to develop skills in areas such as frailty/elderly care, emergency medicine, respiratory medicine, and neurological disorders.
This role involves close collaborative working with MDT colleagues and the wider SLT team.This post is a full-time, permanent position.Main duties of the jobThe post holder will be supervised in providing a comprehensive clinical service specifically to adults admitted to the general medical and surgical wards, who have communication and swallowing disorders.
With support, the successful applicant will organise, plan, and prioritise their own workload, and develop appropriate strategies for caseload management.
There will also be the opportunity to develop skills in training and providing direct and indirect support to other professionals relating to communication and swallowing disorders, and the post holder will be encouraged to contribute to the development and implementation of care pathways, departmental policies, and protocols as appropriate.Continuing Professional Development is essential and actively encouraged, and there are multiple opportunities to develop and acquire new skills in a nurturing and supportive environment, such as:Regular close clinical supervisionJoint working with other SLTsWorking towards NQP goalsRegular in-service trainingAttendance at relevant CENsExposure to FEES and VFS where appropriateJob responsibilitiesKEY DUTIESTo undertake therapy assessment, clinically diagnose, and implement treatment plans if appropriate in a manner that respects people's privacy, dignity, and individuality.To liaise with members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team and external agencies to ensure the effective management of patients' care, communicating patient information in relation to their care as required.Manage a clinical caseload ensuring patients are seen in a timely manner.To ensure effective internal and external 2-way communication with patients, carers, and all other Health and Social Care Professionals regarding all aspects of patient care.To provide and receive complex information which requires empathy and reassurance, communicating where there may be barriers to understanding and where skills such as motivational interviewing and counselling are required.Able to formulate and implement individualised care plans, reviewing progress and adapting as required.To be involved in the production and evaluation of resources produced by the department e.g., information and training packs, advice leaflets etc., providing specialist advice.To provide cover for leave and sickness to the clinical service as appropriate.To be a member of the multi-disciplinary team and actively participate in M.D.T.
meetings.To contribute to the development of departmental/organisational procedures and guidelines.Ensure the safe use of appropriate medical devices required to carry out treatment in line with departmental procedures.To participate in shift patterns to support the delivery of a 7-day service as required.To provide training sessions for other health care professionals and patient/carer groups.To work autonomously but recognise own limitations and when to escalate issues or refer to more senior therapist for advice and support.Person SpecificationQualificationsDegree in Speech & Language Therapy or equivalentHCPC RegisteredKnowledge & ExperiencePrevious demonstrable experience of working in a health, social, or personal care setting as a Speech & Language Therapist.Working knowledge of confidentiality and data protection procedures in relation to the recording of patient information.Awareness of current NHS issues, National Policies, and relevant frameworks/quality indicators.Knowledge of evidence-based practice and its importance within the clinical area.Experience of taking an active role within the Multidisciplinary Team.Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and its application within Therapy.Demonstrate commitment to ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and maintenance of a professional portfolio.Awareness of health and safety issues and reporting mechanisms.Skills & AbilitiesAbility to manage own time and work autonomously within clinical and non-clinical activity and to guide others using problem-solving and decision-making skills.Ability to maintain records, statistical and activity data according to service standards.Ability to encourage and motivate others by providing sound practical and realistic advice.Ability to demonstrate clinical reasoning and a holistic problem-solving approach appropriate to experience within the clinical area.Ability to manage own stress and awareness of stress in others.To demonstrate tact/diplomacy and empathy within clinical settings.Good interpersonal skills with effective written and verbal communication.Effective teaching and presentation skills.Ability to demonstrate assertiveness within clinical settings.Ability to positively represent the Therapy Team within the Organisation.Ability to demonstrate reflective practice.OtherThe post includes a combination of physical activities with duties being carried out in a variety of settings across the clinical sites.The post holder will be required to work across sites including hospital/community settings.To be able to carry out moving and handling with patients using specialist medical devices related to the specialism.The post holder will be required to use frequent concentration in assessing patients and devising care plans during the day.Conveying complex information in a comprehensible and practical way to clients, families, and carers where there may be significant barriers to understanding.Prioritising clinical work responding to unpredictable demands on time e.g., responding to bleeps for urgent referrals.The post holder will often have to overcome barriers to communication such as illiteracy, learning difficulties, hearing and sight impairment, language and may have to work with interpreters.Communication with and have direct contact with a wide variety of people, including health, social care, and education professionals, patients, carers, and the public.Daily involvement with chronically and terminally ill patients and their carers.The post holder will be exposed to sensitive, emotional, and distressing circumstances, including terminally ill patients and abusive patients/carers.The post holder will be exposed to the working conditions associated with the clinical environment.Routinely encounters unpleasant smells and sights, with possible exposure to bodily fluids including blood and sputum.Ability to fulfill the travel requirements of the post.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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