Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – Rotational

Job overview

We have a fantastic fixed-term opportunity for a Band 6 SLT to join our clinically passionate, friendly inpatient speech and language therapy team at the Royal Surrey Hospital.

The speech and language therapy team have extensive expertise in the management of patients with head & neck cancer (including laryngectomy), stroke, neurology, critical care, neuro-oncology, general medicine and voice disorders. This role will be a rotation across stroke/neurology, critical care, acute medicine and head & neck oncology. We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated therapists with a keen desire to learn the skills necessary to excel in these rotations.

The SLT team place a high value on the acquisition and development of evidence based clinical skills for the benefit of patients. We offer a supportive environment with regular team meetings and a rolling in-service CPD programme. In addition, you would be fully supported to enhance your knowledge and skills, working through formal competencies such as videofluoroscopy, FEES and tracheostomy management in line with your PDR goals.

Suitable candidates should have completed post-graduate competencies in acquired dysphagia management. You must be registered with the HCPC and the RCSLT for this post.

For informal discussion, or to arrange a visit to the hospital please contact Kate Blick [email protected] 01483 408376.

Main duties of the job

To provide a specialist speech and language therapy service to patients with a range of complex communication and swallowing disorders. Depending on the rotation, this will include:  •    Stroke and neurology patients on the Acute Stroke Unit. •    Patients within the Intensive Care Unit at RSCH, including management of patients with tracheostomy and ventilator needs (within level of competency). •    Patients on the Acute Medical wards at RSCH. •    Patients undergoing treatment for Head and Neck cancer within the Royal Surrey Foundation Trust and wider Cancer Network. This includes patients undergoing surgical/oncological treatment under the Maxillofacial, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) and Acute Clinical Oncology (Chemo-Radiotherapy) care pathways. As well as providing ongoing rehabilitation and support for patients in the post-acute phase of treatment as part of the MARS (Macmillan Assessment and Rehabilitation Service) team.

The SLT team are committed to sharing best practice in the fields of acquired communication and swallow disorders, so provide regular training sessions for doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants as well as those staff trained to carry out basic dysphagia screening.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To work with MDT colleagues to provide a holistic, timely, and proactive specialist service to patients including assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and evaluation of outcomes. •    To manage and prioritise own caseload including patients with acquired communication  / swallowing difficulties or receiving end of life care, incorporating clinical assessment, therapeutic intervention and onward referral where required.  •    To provide teaching and training (formal and informal) to junior colleagues and members of the Multi-Disciplinary team including Basic Swallow Screen Testing (BSST) for nurses with support from the BSST lead SLT. •    To provide second opinion, specialist clinical support and advice to less experienced colleagues including newly qualified Therapists. •    To provide induction, mentoring and clinical supervision (including appraisal) for band 5 SLT (in conjunction with other band 6 colleagues and supported by the Team Lead SLT). •    To contribute to a Surgical Voice Restoration service for patients with laryngectomy, dependent of level of competence. •    To assist in the co-ordination of onward referrals into the Macmillan Aftercare Rehabilitation Service (MARS) across the satellite centers. •    To provide specialist input to patients dependent on ventilators or tracheostomies, within scope of competence and seeking support where necessary. •    To attend multi-disciplinary team meetings and contribute SLT findings. •    To provide a FEES / Videofluoroscopy service dependent on experience and level of competence seeking support where necessary.   •    To demonstrate defined clinical outcomes including patient satisfaction, admission avoidance and achievement of patient led goals. •    To represent the SLT team at relevant patient or Trust meetings. •    To monitor referral guidelines, patient pathways, outcome measures and evidence based practice to maximise the patient experience. •    To contribute to service development opportunities.