Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

Are you a passionate about Neurosciences and excited to join Speech and Language Therapy Services at Addenbrooke's Hospital in the vibrant city of Cambridge?

We have an exciting opportunity to join our friendly, progressive and dynamic Speech and Language Therapy team, as an Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist leading the service provision on the Acute Neurosciences Wards.

You will be part of our Adult Acute team and well supported by the Adult Acute Clinical Team lead and other Senior SLTs within the team. You will also work closely with the Neurosciences MDT, taking a lead in enhancing the existing service, drive forward MDT and SLT specific service improvement projects as well as support more junior Clinicians working on the Neurosciences Wards. Our Neurosciences Wards include Neuro-oncology, Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuro-trauma.

Experience of service development, developing and delivering training, student supervision and close MDT working is essential. Sound clinical skills and extensive experience, including highly specialist dysphagia skills and complex caseload management in the acute setting are also required.

Main duties of the job

To contribute to the provision of specialist Speech and Language Therapy Services within the Speech and Language Therapy Adult Acute Service.

To provide highly specialist clinical input to a defined caseload, including patients with complex disorders, prioritising needs and managing workload independently.

To lead on the development of services within the area of specialism and to act as a resource for other therapists in the area of expertise.

To provide cover for the Senior Specialist in service and team coordination, operational management and representation at relevant forums as required.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Job description

Job responsibilities

SLT Services at Addenbrookes are managed by a Professional Head of SLT and structured into four clinical areas, each led by a Clinical Lead SLT. These are ENT / Head and Neck, Adult Acute, Acute Paediatrics and Neonates and Acute Stroke / Neuro / Trauma Rehab. In addition, the Service is commissioned by NHS England to deliver specialised AAC services to the region. This work is undertaken by the specialist MDT - Communication Aid Service East of England (CASEE).

We are looking for a Therapist to work within the Adult Acute Team who has the required combination of skills, experience, enthusiasm and flexibility to contribute to service provision to patients, supporting less experienced Therapists and student supervision and shaping and enhancing future delivery through the ongoing COVID challenge and beyond.

To fulfil the Band 7 role in the acute setting at Addenbrooke's, competence in instrumental dysphagia assessment and/or tracheostomy management is essential. Skills in the assessment and management of communication disorders, cognitive communication and capacity assessment and advocacy are also very important for this role.

We welcome applications from SLTs who are in the process of developing this range of skills and who currently do not meet the specification but have the aptitude to develop the necessary competencies to fulfil the role with support, SLTs in an established Band 6 position keen to develop or strengthen their skills in instrumental dysphagia assessments such as FEES and/or VFS, and tracheostomy management, with progression towards a Band 7 role.

In all cases, training and development needs will be identified and a personal development plan agreed and supported.

Applications from therapists seeking to undertake this role on a full time or part time or temporary basis are also welcomed.

We welcome International applicants and are also keen to hear from SLTs considering a return to practice. If you have any questions about this, please dont hesitate to contact us to discuss.

In all cases, we are available to tell you more about this post and other opportunities in the service and warmly invite you to contact us.

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:

applied for a Graduate visa or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipatedstart date of employment

The advert will close at midnight on 8 September 2024.

Interviews are due to be held on 17 September 2024.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent Health and Care Professions Council Registration Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent Evidence of successful completion of advanced specialist short courses in communication and swallowing disorders in neurology, including tracheostomy management, to masters level equivalent Member of Specialist Interest Groups

Experience

Essential

In depth post graduate experience in specialist area of Neurology Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex communication, swallowing disorders associated with a neurology caseload Independent use and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies, including ventilator dependent patients Experience in the selection, use and programming of augmentative communication systems Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals Involvement in multidisciplinary working

Knowledge

Essential

Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia relevant to neurology In depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group In depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance / audit to monitor and improve service Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group Knowledge of standards of record keeping

Skills

Essential

Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills Highly developed auditory and perceptual discriminatory skills for analysis of speech, including phonetic transcription Advanced clinical skills in analysis and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations, including ability to pass the nasendoscope Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member and assume leadership responsibilities Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills for management of complex cases Excellent analytical and reflection skills Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials

Desirable

Counselling skills

Additional Requirements

Essential

The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.

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