Speech and Language Therapist, B5 (Rotational)

Job overview

Speech and Language Therapist Band 5 (rotational post) - Princess Royal University Hospital & Orpington Hospital Sites

The post offers a fantastic opportunity to work in a supportive acute inpatient team in Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.  King’s offers high quality Band 5 rotations including Acute Medicine and Stroke on the PRUH site and Neuro-rehabilitation based at Orpington Hospital.

The successful applicant will provide Speech and Language Therapy within each clinical specialty, remaining within each area for 9 months.  This will allow the opportunity to develop a wide knowledge base and range of skills, alongside specified learning objectives for the rotation and ring-fenced learning time to achieve these.

The acute SLT team works closely with the wider multidisciplinary teams.  The SLT service offers a comprehensive supervision and CPD structure with a range of opportunities for learning and participation in both self and service development. There is a strong emphasis on the management of both communication and swallowing difficulties and the impact of SLT within the acute setting. This post requires a flexible approach to working and will require the post holder to work as part of a rota’d seven day working pattern. We provide a weekly videofluoroscopy clinic.

Main duties of the job

The band 5 Speech and Language Therapy post involves rotation across  3 clinical areas – a) Stroke, b) Medicine, c) Neuro-rehabilitation

The post holder will provide Speech and Language Therapy services within a clinical specialty, remaining within each area for a maximum of 9 months.  This will allow them the opportunity to develop a wide knowledge base and range of skills.  Line management will be provided by the relevant senior therapist depending on the rotation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• To provide detailed assessment, treatment and management for an autonomous caseload of patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders following King’s College Hospital Speech & Language Therapy service guidelines and standards.
• To participate in providing cover across the other parts of the SLT service (and sites) where appropriate.
• To provide relevant information, training and support to relatives and carers.
• To attend and contribute to, multidisciplinary team meetings, goal setting meetings, and other ward meetings as necessary and to share in minute taking when required.
• To liaise with community speech and language therapists and other relevant professional organisations when patients are discharged from KCH.
• To provide timely and accurate reports, including transfer/discharge reports and including SLT information in medical notes where appropriate.
• To undertake the key worker role if required.
• To maintain patient confidentiality at all times and according to KCH policies.
• To provide a 7 day, extended hours flexible service as appropriate.

Governance / Quality Control

• To maintain and record an active programme of continuing professional development, including feeding back to colleagues on any courses or conferences attended.
• To make recommendations on service development and governance.
• To be an active member of relevant special interest groups.
• To participate regularly in the evaluation of the effectiveness of intervention and models of service delivery, maintaining up to date knowledge of relevant clinical practice and research
• To undertake specific departmental audit projects and contribute to departmental research where appropriate

Education and Training

• To provide clinical training for speech and language therapy students as appropriate to the experience of the post holder (at least 1 year post qualification).

2          To contribute to education and training of other disciplines in both the acute and rehabilitation settings.

• To undertake continuing professional development within the field of communication and swallowing disorders, both through in-service training and attendance on external courses, and to feed back on any relevant courses attended.
• To be responsible, with management support, for your personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• To undertake mandatory King’s College Hospital training

Research and Service Development

• To participate in relevant audit activity within King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• To participate in research initiatives in the relevant area
• To publish and disseminate information which results from research and audit activity.

Administrative Responsibilities

• To maintain full, accurate and contemporaneous records within EPIC
• To provide timely and accurate reports including transfer and discharge reports.
• To prepare for and participate in an annual job appraisal which includes a 6 monthly review with the SLT acute clinical lead.
• To maintain clinical equipment in good order and carry out inventory checks as requested.
• To contribute to the infection control and cleanliness of the hospital by ensuring cleanliness of own equipment, undertaking mandatory training, abiding by the hand washing policy and other policies related to barrier nursing.
• To provide full, accurate and timely statistical data.
• To attend King’s College Hospital Speech and Language Therapy team meetings.

General

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• To live and role model the King’s Values – we are a kind and respectful team
• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.

• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.

Safe Guarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;

• attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults.
• familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns.
• reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately.

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training.  These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.