Senior Speech and Language Therapist

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to join our inpatient Speech and Language Therapy team at University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative team player who can be flexible in meeting the demands of a busy acute hospital. You will independently manage a caseload of adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders, providing assessment, diagnosis and intervention approaches.

University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire is a friendly, supportive and innovative place to work. You will be working across both UHCW and Rugby St Cross Hospital. Our service provides input across multiple wards including respiratory, neurology, care of the elderly, emergency wards and oncology.

If you would like more information in relation to this role, please contact the department.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive assessment of patients with dysphagia and/or communication difficulties including those with complex presentation.  Investigate & analyse skills & formulate individualised management & treatment plans and specialised programmes of care.
• Interpret & analyse clinical & non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnosis & prognosis on wide range of highly complex conditions to recommend the best course of intervention, evaluate outcomes, reassess & to develop comprehensive discharge plans.
• Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment plans as required
• Accept clinical responsibility for the dysphagia caseload and organise this effectively and efficiently.  This will include prioritising and allocating patients appropriately for more junior staff.
• Be professionally & legally responsible & accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care.
• Undertake department audit and service development work, translating findings into practice.
• Provide specialist advice, teaching & instruction to relatives, carers & other members of the MDT regarding SLT issues.
• Support with the clinical supervision of student SLT’s on clinical placement.
• Engage in department and own CPD activities
• Participate in health promotion activities of the department
• Cover the work of colleagues and deputise for senior colleagues during periods of absence or peak workloads

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Abide by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists & the Health Professions Council standards of proficiency.
• Be responsible for own personal development to establish and maintain competence and fitness to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist. To maintain a professional evidence-based portfolio, meeting the requirements of the HCPC.
• Establish, contribute to effective communication networks for dysphagia with patients, carers, MDT, other workers and agencies across health, social care and the private sector locally and regionally.
• Identify and understand risks and benefits of own practice.
• Seek support from senior colleagues and peers when necessary (aware of own scope of practice)
• Aware of local risk escalation and reporting process and ensure that this is followed when a risk is identified.
• Comply with organisational, professional & Trust policies & procedures
• Communicate effectively, plan, organise & work collaboratively with medical nursing & therapy colleagues to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service.
• Provide person centred SLT care considering the wishes of the service user during assessment, diagnosis and provision of SLT treatment plan.
• Document patient activity data in accordance with Trust and professional standards.
• Treat others fairly and interact with honesty and integrity
• Assess capacity, gain valid informed consent where possible and can work within a legal framework with patients/clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.