Speech and Language Therapist

Job overview

This is a wonderful opportunity for a newly or recently qualified Speech and Language Therapist to join our forward thinking, enthusiastic and supportive adult team. You will also work in a large multidisciplinary team, providing the opportunity to develop your clinical skills with people who have had a stroke.

You will be based in George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton with the SLT Stroke Rehab Team, the Acute SLT team and the Community Team. You will have a keen interest in developing your dysphagia competencies and will receive support and supervision to achieve this.

We have a strong team culture and ethos and the successful post holder will be a team player, flexible at work when needed and supportive to their colleagues. We have regular in-house CPD sessions and we strongly encourage sharing our learning. You will also have access to clinical supervision sessions. For further information, please contact:

Charlotte Hartley, Stroke Rehab Team Lead 02476865285

Or email: [email protected]

Main duties of the job

To provide a speech and language therapy service to patients on a stroke rehabilitation ward at George Eliot Hospital. The post-holder will provide assessment, diagnosis and management of acquired communication and swallowing disorders (when appropriately trained). The post-holder will be required to work as part of multi-disciplinary team and to liaise with families and carers where appropriate

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

To take shared responsibility for a designated caseload of adults (supported by a band 6 and/or band 7 therapist) with acquired communication and swallowing disorders, predominantly as a result of an acquired neurological condition such as stroke, ABI or a progressive neurological condition; becoming independent with assessing, diagnosing and treating disorders in adults as part of a multidisciplinary team.

To support patients (and their families) in managing their condition.

To use a range of evidence-based assessment tools in the assessment of communication and swallowing disorders.

To provide therapeutic intervention with patients, either individually or in groups as best meets the needs of the patient

Identify indicators of potential associated medical conditions and refer to other specialists or professionals as appropriate.

To undertake training to achieve RCSLT competencies in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of swallowing disorders (dysphagia)

To refer patients appropriately for instrumental evaluation of their swallow where appropriate e.g. FEES, Videofluoroscopy

Use non-verbal communication skills to recognise the emotional needs of the client/carer and maintain sensitivity at all times, particularly when imparting potentially distressing information.

Use negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.

To use developed interpersonal skills to assess clients own goals where communication ability is a significant barrier

Provide expert facilitation of clients’ communication with others to ensure that they are central to the process

Play a pivotal role in ensuring effective joint working for clients with communication difficulties.

To use developed skills in motivating clients and their carers to engage with the therapeutic process, particularly when co-existing apathy or lack of initiation exist.

Demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.

To work with the AAC specialist SLT to provide appropriate support with communication where indicated.

Communicate complex information, regarding communication and/or eating or swallowing, to patients, relatives and other professionals through written reports, programs and face to face discussion, matching communication style and content to the needs of the situation, including where there may be barriers to understanding.

Adapt practice to meet individual client circumstances including due regard for culture, social and linguistic difficulties.

To maintain up to date and accurate case-notes in line with SWFT and RCSLT professional standards.

To maintain clinical and non-clinical standards and work within the policy frameworks laid down (e.g. NHS, Trust, Professional, Health Care Professionals Council, Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists, relevant government policies etc.)

To participate in team, professional and personal development activities and promote commitment to continuous development and improvement.