Speech & Language Therapist

Job overview

We have a number of exciting opportunities for qualified Band 5 Speech and Language Therapists to join the rotations on our Denmark Hill site.

The successful post holders will provide Speech and Language Therapy services within rotational posts. There are 5 rotations on the Denmark Hill site: Heath & Ageing, Critical Care, Stroke, Medicine and Neurosurgery.

The SLT service offers supervision and CPD 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. Posts require a flexible approach to working with the requirement to work as part of a rota’d 7 day working pattern in some rotations.

We are dedicated to serving a diverse community and ensuring equal access to our services for all. This dedication extends to our employees, whom we support and value. We aim to build a workforce that mirrors the diversity of the population we serve, embracing differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief.

Applicants must be qualified with HCPC registration at the time they apply. Applicants who are not HCPC registered will not be shortlisted.

Main duties of the job

The Band 5 Speech and Language Therapy rotation across 5 clinical areas

- Acute Medicine

- Health and Ageing

- Stroke

- Critical Care

- Neurosurgery

The post holder will provide Speech and Language Therapy services within a clinical speciality, remaining within one 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.

Please see the job description for detailed information about the duties of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:

• To provide detailed assessment, treatment and management for an autonomous and diverse 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 in an accessible way.
• To contribute to the development and implementation of inclusive and culturally relevant assessment tools and therapy resources
• To provide assessment and therapy which is sensitive to individual needs and is culturally appropriate
• 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 on Friends Stroke Unit, 3 months into the rotation and after appropriate training.
• To provide clinical training for speech and language therapy students as appropriate to the experience of the postholder (at least 1 year post qualification).
• 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 feedback on any relevant courses attended.
• To maintain patient confidentiality at all times and according to KCH policies.
• To be responsible, with management support, for your personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• To provide a 7 day, extended hours flexible service as appropriate.

Clinical Governance Responsibilities:

• 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

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 EPR
• 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 undertake mandatory King’s College Hospital training
• 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 well being 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 Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
• At King’s we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

• 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.
• Everyone is responsible for promoting inclusion no matter their role or team. At King’s, we want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcome

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 appropriatel

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.