Senior Speech and Language Therapist

This is an exciting opportunity for the post holder to work alongside Occupational Therapists and Learning Disability Nurses Consultant Psychiatrists to provide services to adults with a learning disability.

The team covers Southend, Castlepoint and Rochford, Basildon, Brentwood and Thurrock; so the post holder must have a drivers licence and a car.

The Team works 7 days a week supporting people living in their own homes as well as providing an "in reach" service to the Learning Disability Assessment and Treatment Unit, based on site in Billericay
- under the guidance of a qualified speech and language therapist,

The post holder will work a mixture of shifts 8am to 4 pm and 12 noon until 8pm on a Monday and Friday. If they are rotated to work over a weekend and bank holiday they will work Saturday and Sunday 9am -5pm and will have two shifts off during the week. This is full time position but part time working will be considered.

To provide a community based Speech and Language Therapy Service including Dysphagia to Adults with Learning Disabilities within the South Essex area and their staff/carers.

To carry out and interpret specialist assessments of the eating and drinking (dysphagia) skills and needs of people with learning disabilities including those with complex/challenging needs.

To carry out and interpret specialist assessments of the communication skills and needs of people with learning disabilities including those with complex/challenging needs and their carers when required by communication service.

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
Season Ticket Loans

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent Training facilities and opportunities

Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas

Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work

Day One Flexible Employer

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

To carry out and interpret specialist assessments of the eating and drinking (dysphagia) skills and needs of people with learning disabilities including those with complex/challenging needs.

To carry out and interpret specialist assessments of the communication skills and needs of people with learning disabilities including those with complex/challenging needs and their carers when required by communication service.

To undertake joint assessments with other Speech and Language Therapist’s and/or other professionals within this specialist area of ALD.

To diagnose eating and drinking impairments of people with learning disabilities including those with complex/challenging needs

To diagnose the communication impairments of people with learning disabilities including those with complex/challenging needs when required by communication service

To contribute to medical diagnosis including differential diagnosis.

To write reports reflecting knowledge of communication and/or eating and drinking difficulties.

To support people with complex conditions and/ or poor prognosis (end of life care), those with enteral feeding and/ or feeding at risk with support from a Band 7 Dysphagia Specialist SLT.

To plan and implement specialist interventions based on assessment and diagnosis.

To provide professional advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/clients with communication and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties.

To make onward referrals as appropriate for further assessment and treatment, ie to Video fluoroscopy, Gastroenterology, Dietetic team, Palliative care team.

To demonstrate effective negotiation skills particularly in relation to case management issues with carers, service users and others involved.

To maintain clinical records in accordance with local standards.

To demonstrate a high level of clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures.