Lead Administrator for Speech and Language Therapy Services

Job Overview

This pivotal role within the Speech & Language Therapy department focuses on providing comprehensive support to both inpatient and outpatient clients (adults and children) experiencing voice, upper airway, and muscle tension swallowing disorders, particularly those related to Post Covid conditions. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in enhancing the service offered to local individuals with voice and upper airway challenges following COVID-19. Collaboration with the Post COVID-19 Service at Whittington Health is essential.

Key Responsibilities

The incumbent will facilitate speech and language therapy for outpatient clients (adults and children) with clinical voice disorders and upper airway issues post COVID-19, contributing to the expansion of the upper airway service. Responsibilities include:

• Essential experience in clinical voice disorders, with a preference for familiarity with upper airway conditions (e.g., chronic cough, laryngeal hypersensitivity, and inducible laryngeal obstruction).
• A foundational understanding of neurology for differential diagnosis in both neurolaryngology and neurology is advantageous.
• Collaborating with the Clinical Voice Lead to assess and treat a diverse caseload of patients referred from the healthcare system.
• Managing a caseload of outpatients presenting with voice, upper airway, and post COVID-19 related disorders.
• Coordinating with the Post COVID-19 Service and associated organizations, while also providing training and contributing to service advancements, audits, outcome evaluations, and research initiatives.
• Working closely with multidisciplinary team members in ENT and the Post COVID-19 service, while supporting other Speech and Language Therapists in delivering integrated care.
• Receiving clinical supervision from the Clinical Voice Lead.

About Whittington Health

Whittington Health is an integrated care organization that encompasses a district general hospital in North Central London. The successful candidate will join the ENT/Voice Speech and Language Therapy Service, which is an outpatient service supported by a Clinical Voice Lead. This service is dedicated to assessing and treating adults and children with clinical voice disorders, providing essential consultations for inpatients.

Whittington Health is committed to serving a diverse community and strives to ensure that all services are equitable and accessible. The organization values diversity in its workforce, aiming to reflect the population it serves. We are dedicated to implementing recruitment, training, and promotion policies that are sensitive to differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. By embracing these differences, we enhance our ability to care for our patients and create a supportive work environment.

Detailed Responsibilities

1. Exhibit clinical proficiency in assessing, treating, and managing voice, swallowing, and airway conditions in both adults and children, primarily in an outpatient setting.

2. Conduct specialized assessments and management for inpatient and outpatient clients with complex voice and upper airway disorders, including Post COVID-19 symptoms.

3. Maintain a robust knowledge base of voice, swallowing, and respiratory disorders, supported by current evidence-based practices and outcome measures.

4. Demonstrate auditory and perceptual skills in diagnosing and treating patients with voice disorders.

5. Adapt to the needs of a clinical caseload, prioritizing effectively and maintaining a database for future audits and research.

6. Foster positive working relationships with all healthcare professionals involved in patient care.

7. Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, coordinating referrals and joint efforts to ensure effective, integrated therapy delivery.

8. Contribute to the dissemination of knowledge regarding voice, swallowing, and airway work within the organization and beyond, showcasing specialist clinical practice and positive outcomes.

9. Continuously develop and enhance personal specialist skills and knowledge through ongoing education and participation in clinical excellence networks.

10. Reflect on clinical practice, adapt based on evidence and feedback, and contribute to local clinical governance systems.

11. Remain flexible to service needs and demonstrate a positive response to changes directed by lead clinicians.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• BSc/MSc in Speech Sciences or equivalent (including PG Dip).
• HCPC license to practice and registered member of RCSLT.
• Successful completion of postgraduate studies relevant to the field (e.g., voice disorders and upper airway conditions).
• Completion of specialist courses pertinent to the field (e.g., voice therapy techniques, voice assessment, upper airway disorders, and Long Covid).

Desirable Criteria

• Counseling skills.
• Experience in supervising and training students.

Previous Experience

Essential Criteria

• Experience working with voice and/or upper airway disorders.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience delivering specialist training to diverse audiences.
• Involvement in evidence-based research projects.

Knowledge

Essential Criteria

• Proficiency in using a range of assessment tools to evaluate voice, upper airway dysfunction, and Long Covid.
• Ability to demonstrate key characteristics leading to a specialist diagnosis of voice and upper airway disorders.
• Skill in selecting and evaluating treatment goals for patients with voice and upper airway disorders.
• Knowledge of therapeutic interventions relevant to voice and upper airway disorders, supported by evidence.
• Understanding of key presentations and management options for voice and upper airway conditions.
• Application of specialist knowledge regarding local cultural and demographic factors in managing voice and upper airway caseloads.
• Familiarity with the diagnosis and management of patients with Long Covid.
• Understanding of multidisciplinary team approaches.
• Knowledge of clinical governance principles.
• Approaches to support clients and caregivers facing challenging behaviors or mental health needs.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of assessment tools for evaluating swallowing disorders related to voice and upper airway conditions.
• Understanding of mentoring and supporting less experienced staff.
• Basic knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Familiarity with writing research protocols.

Skills

Essential Criteria

• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Capacity to hypothesize about voice and/or upper airway disorders based on case studies.
• Skills in critically evaluating published research in a specific clinical area.
• Proficiency in delivering presentations and training, adapting styles for various audiences.
• Experience in developing and implementing clinically based projects.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

All staff members are required to comply with safeguarding policies and procedures to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. This includes:

• Familiarity with local safeguarding procedures and protocols.
• Participation in required training and supervision.
• Adherence to professional boundaries and codes of conduct.

Whittington Health is dedicated to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.