Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustSouthport Hospital has the exciting opportunity to advertise a Speech and Language Therapy post which will offer a stimulating and challenging role in the assessment and management of inpatients with dysphagia and who are recognised as living with frailty and ageing.The successful candidate will join a growing, supportive, and innovative team of Speech and Language Therapists with a diverse set of skills, who take pride in offering the very best care for our patients.
The SLT team is comprised of a consultant SLT, Highly Specialised SLTs, Specialised SLTs, Newly Qualified SLTs and SLT assistants.Interview date: TBCMain duties of the jobThe successful applicant will provide specialist assessment and management of patients living with frailty and ageing at any stage of their hospital journey, including A&E admission, during their inpatient stay, and assisting safe and timely discharge.
This will include specialist SLT input to the Frailty Assessment Unit, working alongside Frailty Practitioners, Medical Registrar and Consultants in Geriatrics.You will have opportunities to develop skills in areas such as frailty/ elderly care, emergency medicine, respiratory medicine, and neurological disorders, while working closely with SLT and MDT colleagues.The post holder will independently provide a comprehensive specialist clinical service specifically to adults admitted who are living with frailty and ageing, and who have communication and swallowing disorders.
They will provide training, direct, and indirect support to other professionals relating to communication and swallowing disorders and will participate in the development and implementation of care pathways, departmental policies, and protocols.At Southport Hospital we hold regular Video fluoroscopy clinics and are implementing the MBSImP protocol.
We also have a newly established FEES service.
For the right candidate there is potential for development opportunities in this area.Job responsibilitiesKEY DUTIESTo undertake specialist therapy assessment, clinically diagnose and implement treatment plans for patients with dysphagia and communication disorders in a manner that respects peoples privacy, dignity, and individuality.To liaise with members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team and external agencies to ensure the effective management of patients care, communicating patient information in relation to their care as required.Manage a clinical caseload ensuring patients are seen in a timely manner.To ensure effective internal and external 2-way communication with patients, carers and all other Health and Social Care Professionals regarding all aspects of patient care.To provide and receive complex information which requires empathy and reassurance.
Communicating where there may be barriers to understanding and where skills such as motivational interviewing and counselling are required.Able to formulate and implement individualised care plans, reviewing progress and adapting as required.To be involved in the production and evaluation of resources produced by the department e.g.
information and training packs, advice leaflets etc, providing specialist advice.To provide cover for leave and sickness to the clinical service as appropriate.To be a member of the multi-disciplinary team and actively participate in M.D.T.
meetings.To contribute to the development of departmental / organisational procedures and guidelines.Ensure the safe use of appropriate medical devices required to carry out treatment in line with departmental procedures.To participate in shift patterns to support the delivery of 6/7 day service as required.To provide training sessions for other health care professionals and patient/carer groups.To work autonomously but recognise own limitations and when to escalate issues or refer to more senior therapist for advice and support.Person SpecificationQualificationsDegree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalentHCPC RegisteredKnowledge & ExperiencePrevious demonstrable experience of working in a health, social or personal care setting as a Speech and Language Therapist with adults with a range of acquired communication and dysphagia disorders.Working knowledge of confidentiality and data protection procedures in relation to the recording of patient informationAwareness of current NHS issues, National Policies and relevant frameworks/quality indicatorsKnowledge of evidence based practice and importance within clinical area.Experience of taking an active role within Multidisciplinary Team.Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance, and its application within TherapyDemonstrate commitment to your and others ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and maintenance of professional portfolio.Awareness of health and safety issues and reporting mechanismsBasic competency in videofluoroscopic examinations and tracheostomy management.SkillsAbility to manage own time and work autonomously within clinical and non-clinical activity and to guide others using problem solving and decision making skills.Ability to maintain records, statistical and activity data according to service standards.Ability to encourage and motivate others by providing sound practical and realistic advice.Ability to demonstrate clinical reasoning and a holistic problem solving approach appropriate to experience within clinical area.Ability to manage own stress and awareness of stress in othersTo demonstrate tact/diplomacy and empathy within clinical settingsGood interpersonal skills with effective written and verbal communicationEffective teaching and presentation skillsAbility to demonstrate assertiveness within clinical settingsAbility to positively represent the Therapy Team within the OrganisationAbility to demonstrate reflective practiceOtherThe post includes a combination of complex physical activities with duties being carried out in a variety of settings across the clinical sitesThe post holder will be required to work across sites including hospital / community settingsTo be able to carry out moving and handling with patients using equipment e.g.
hoists, or use of specialist medical devices related to specialismThe post holder will be required to use frequent concentration in assessing patients and devising care plans during the day.Conveying complex information in a comprehensible and practical way to clients, families and carers where there may be significant barriers to understanding.Prioritising clinical work responding to unpredictable demands on time e.g.
responding to bleeps for urgent referralsThe post holder will often have to overcome barriers to communication such as illiteracy, learning difficulties, hearing and sight impairment, language and may have to work with interpreters.Communication with and have direct contact with a wide variety of people, including health, social care and education professionals, patients, carers, the public.Daily involvement with chronically and terminally ill patients and their carers.The post holder will be exposed to sensitive, emotional and distressing circumstances, including terminally ill patients and abusive patients/carers.The post holder will be exposed to the working conditions associated clinical environmentRoutinely encounters unpleasant smells and sights, with possible exposure to bodily fluids including blood and sputumAbility to fulfill the travel requirements of the postDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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