Specialist Speech And Language Therapist

Job summary 1 x Fixed Term contract/secondment opportunity for up to 12 months *Internal applicants who wish to be considered for a secondment opportunity should discuss with their line manager the suitability of a possible secondment* Speech and Language Therapist experienced in Stroke Rehabilitation with a passion for delivering the high quality specialist intervention.
The Specialist Stroke Rehabilitation Unit is based at the Vale Community Hospital in Dursley.
Experience and skills in the assessment and management of swallowing disorders and a range of communication impairments following a Stroke are essential.
Adopting national best practice this unit ensures that people suffering from a stroke will benefit from the clinical pathway, maximising the health outcomes of those people who are likely to improve with in-patient rehabilitation.
We are a friendly and collaborative multi-disciplinary team who shares a philosophy of empowering patients to be more independent and active in their recovery.
You will be committed to developing your own expertise but also support other colleagues to continually develop and grow their own skills.
Main duties of the job To provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) assessment, diagnosis and treatment to Stroke patients with communication and swallowing disorders in the community stroke unit.
To work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team contributing to the holistic management and rehabilitation of the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) caseload.
We can offer training and development opportunities and well as encourage you to take on service development projects.
Audit and research is an integral element of the service.
Clinical, managerial and peer supervision are important part of personal development alongside appraisal.
Our Speech and Language Therapists are included in the wider Speech and Language service within the Trust.
The Stroke Unit prides itself on being a great place to work and is easily accessible by car from M5 motorway with ample free parking on site and within easy reach of the town centre.
About us We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services.
We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.
The annual NHS Staff Survey gives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust.
For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views ( It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that: believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users; would recommend the organisation as a place to work; agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority; would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West.
However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.
Job description Job responsibilities To provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) assessment, diagnosis and treatment to Stroke patients with communication and swallowing disorders in the community stroke unit.
To work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team contributing to the holistic management and rehabilitation of the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) caseload.
To support the Therapy Lead in service development, evaluation and quality initiatives in line with local and national drivers.
To support the Therapy Lead in adhering to national and local standards set out for Stroke and rehabilitation.
To provide professional support and advice to therapy, nursing and medical staff acting as a clinical resource for speech and language therapy in the specialist area of Stroke.
DIMENSIONS The community stroke unit provides Allied Health Professional (AHP) led specialist rehabilitation to people with difficulties following stroke.
Therapy takes place on the community stroke unit and is supported by a team of experienced multi-disciplinary AHPs, nursing staff and rehabilitation assistants.
The team works closely with the Acute Stroke Unit based in Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS foundation Trust and the Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team (ESDT), the Community Neurology Service (CNS) as well as AHPs based in the Integrated Community Teams (ICTs) and community hospitals.
The Speech and Language therapists contribute to the MDT rehabilitation of relevant patients and assist in the day to day running of the team, including training, referral management and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of self and others.
The following responsibilities are associated with the role: Involvement in the Speech and language therapy strategy development and implementation, practice development and quality improvement Contribute to Speech and language therapy workforce development, education, students Participation in Speech and language therapy research, audit and evaluation Health promotion, Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Note: This is a non-exhaustive list and may vary depending on individual skill sets.
CORE KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical To provide specialist differential diagnosis, clinical advice, as well as safe and effective care plans/therapy to clients with communication / swallowing difficulties; this includes analysis of facts and a comparison of a range of options for appropriate intervention, implementing specialist programmes where appropriate.
To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner to work alone with access to guidance from highly specialised SLT within Gloucestershire Care Services.
To be professionally and legally accountable for a designated patient caseload, to manage clinical risk and to decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands.
To assess patients capacity, gain valid informed consent to treatment and where such capacity is lacking/absent to work within a legal framework in the management of the patient.
To provide advice and second opinions to SLT colleagues when necessary to support the clinical management of clients following a stroke.
To assess and analyse type, severity and impact of complex conditions of speech, language, communication and swallowing impairments in stroke patients, through specific formal, informal and instrumental assessments.
To provide advice and second opinions when necessary to support the clinical management of clients especially when wards require support to make complex multi-disciplinary decisions around the care of clients.
To demonstrate clear communication skills when presenting specialist clinical information in both verbal and written formats when dealing with sensitive situations such as end of life.
Professional To monitor and undertake audit as service demands in order to inform the SLT service and Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Trust (GHNHST) of development needs.
Contribute to local clinical guidelines using specialist experience from specific area of work.
To contribute to the production of the competency framework in the specialist area of stroke.
To work with the departmental research champion for support to initiate research projects.
To monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness using provided support, evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
To maintain up to date and accurate case notes, both paper and electronic records in line with RCSLT Professional Standards, GHC Trust Policy and departmental guidelines.
To adhere to and maintain the standards and guidelines as recommended by the RCSLT and the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) codes of conduct and practice.
To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a specialist therapist working with a variety of patients and maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration.
To prescribe augmentative and alternative methods of communication ( communication aids) and provide support, advice and training to clients, carers and professionals.
To refer clients on to other services and agencies and to liaise with members of voluntary organisations concerned with the client group.
To negotiate with carers/clients/others around individual case management, ensuring client involvement in their clinical outcomes.
Leadership / Management To manage communication breakdown/conflict in complex cases and generates potential solutions.
To attend departmental development meetings, presenting and leading as necessary.
To provide clinical and line management supervision to colleagues including annual appraisal, training and support to assistants and students.
To be involved in the management of issues relating to performance management.
The post holder has no budgetary responsibility but will contribute to effective stock control and use of resources to support budget management.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Recognised Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists degree level qualification Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Post Graduate Dysphagia Training Length and Nature of experience Essential Considerable experience in managing patients with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties post stroke Professional, Managerial, Specialist Knowledge Essential Ability to identify own professional development needs and develop a professional portfolio within the appraisal framework, including specific objectives Skill in selection of appropriate strategies for prioritisation and management of a complex caseload independently Specialist skills in differential diagnosis and targeting of clinical interventions Ability to demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including skilled and professional recognition of communication barriers/facilitation Experience in the education and supervision staff, including undergraduates in this clinical area Experience of collaboration working with other agencies including the voluntary sector Knowledge of a broad range of specialist formal and informal assessment methods and their interpretation Desirable A baseline knowledge and understanding of the specific counselling required for the specialist area Demonstration of specialist knowledge in clinical specialism Stroke underpinned by current evidence-based practice Excellent presentation skills Personal Skills and attributes Essential Good communication skills (written and verbal) Be able to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively Ability to work under pressure Ability to assimilate new concepts and approaches to care Ability to engage positively with service users Ability to work effectively as a team member Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook Approachable and flexible Other Essential Ability to work flexibly across the Trust Able to attend and participate in all mandatory and statutory training events Desirable Ability to travel around the locality as requested, independently and efficiently.