Head of Profession Adult Speech and Language Therapy

Job overview

University Hospitals Tees are looking for an exceptional Adult Speech and Language Therapist to lead our services across the organisation. We welcome applications from senior leaders who are passionate and innovative in their approach to delivering the highest quality patient care through the profession.

As a key leader the Head of Profession of Adult Speech and Language Therapy will provide leadership, facilitation, and direction to all Adult SALT staff across the UHT Group model. Through professional leadership they are responsible for providing high quality patient focused therapy services.This role will work with CSU Management teams and the Group Chief and Deputy Chief AHP to support the development of the longer-term strategic direction for all Allied Healthcare Professionals across the Trust Clinical Service Units.

The Head of Profession Adult Speech and Language Therapy has responsibility for the development and clinical supervision for all the Adult Speech and Language therapists and support workforce. Working with the Chief AHP to provide expert advice and guidance to staff. The role will support delivery of the Integrated Speech and Language therapy service strategic plan, objectives, target, and measures ensuring performance objectives relating to Adult Speech and Language Therapy staff and services are achieved. The role will lead of national strategic direction for the professional standards set by RCSALT and the national AHP team.

Main duties of the job

The Head of Profession Adult Speech and Language Therapy will:

work collaboratively with CSU 10, and other CSU’s where Adult Speech and Language Therapy services are delivered, with the therapy leads and teams, providing strategic direction and professional expertise to ensure high quality clinical care within those services.

develop and foster effective relationships with other Clinical Service Units where Adult Speech and Language Therapy services are delivered, corporate functions, and support services.

build productive partnerships with corporate colleagues, local ICB commissioners, Local Authority partners, Higher Education Institutes, Primary Care Teams, professional bodies and the Independent and Voluntary Sectors, to support the corporate development of the delivery model and partner organisations

Compliance with annual appraisal, job plans and essential training across all staff groups, including self (as appropriate).

Governance for the Adult Speech and Language Therapy services

Strategic Clinical lead for Adult Speech and Language Therapy services,

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Responsible for the management of the UHT Group Adult Speech and Language Therapy services

Develop and maintain productive relationships using effective proactive communication mechanisms with staff. Maximising the opportunity for staff engagement and opportunities to appropriately influence the planning, management and development of services.

Will be a confident communicator with the ability to present complex information to large groups of staff and will be able to lead appropriate senior meetings.

Proactively encourage and be a role model that demonstrates UHT Values and Behaviours in which staff feel valued, empowered, and supported.

Monitor workforce KPIs, triangulating information on staff absence and turnover with patient experience and outcome data.

To ensure arrangements are in place for the effective management of staff, including annual appraisals, clinical supervision and staff job planning in line with organisational policy.

Actively encourage innovation and improvement from others.

To ensure that evaluation is undertaken, showcase exemplar Research, QI, and Service Development for the profession

Actively promote a culture of openness, transparency and candour ensuring that any concern raised is treated seriously and dealt with promptly.

To actively involve staff in improvement methodology and ensure effective communications with all directorate employees.

Promote a positive culture across UHT services and between the partner organisations in line with the organisations values and behaviours.

Proactively manage succession and talent management arrangements including the identification of contingency arrangements for unexpected absence of key posts.

Work in a way that ensures that all groups of staff are involved in the development and shaping of integrated services and mobilise the energy and commitment of all staff members.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.