Band 6 - Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - UCLH

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) are searching for a passionate and caring Band 6 - Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join their highly skilled and motivated team.

UCLH is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom, and overseas.

Job Purpose

This post is a full-time Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist post based at UCH. The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering a Specialist Speech and Language Therapy service to patients across general acute wards and under a variety of specialities, as assigned by the Clinical Lead.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain close association with staff within the adult acute team in order to facilitate and promote an integrated multidisciplinary service.
• Implement evidence-based practice by ensuring that current research findings are applied to Speech and Language Therapy practice within each service area.
• Follow and implement national and local policy relevant to speech and language therapy.
• Work collaboratively as a team player within the SLT team, escalating any concerns to senior therapists or the Team Lead as appropriate.
• Demonstrate specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of swallowing, language, and communication problems in adult clients within an acute setting, providing appropriate and evidence-based specialist intervention and evaluation of outcomes, and maintain associated records as an autonomous practitioner.
• Demonstrate specialist clinical reasoning when taking a medical history, generating clinical hypotheses, and referring patients for appropriate further assessment, including videofluoroscopy and FEES.
• Show evidence of specialist clinical decision making, through skilled selection and interpretation of assessments, recommendations, and general sound clinical knowledge.
• Possess excellent communication skills, counselling skills, and empathy, which may be utilised both within the clinical role of an SLT and within the multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate good teamwork when working as part of the multi-disciplinary team and in liaising within a multi-agency environment. Possess good negotiation skills in working with other team members, carers, and other professionals.
• Comply with RCSLT’s and HCPC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients, use of equipment, and all written documentation.
• Reflect on clinical practice identifying strengths and needs/areas for improvement.
• Provide evidence of sound clinical judgements.
• Manage and prioritise a caseload with minimal supervision, seeking advice and guidance where needed.

Requirements

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy (or equivalent).
• HCPC License to Practice in the area of Speech and Language Therapy.
• Evidence of working within the NHS.
• Successful completion of specialist post-graduate study relevant to communication (e.g., aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria) and swallowing disorders at MSc level or equivalent.
• Basic counselling skills.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in the area of dysphagia with adult patients.
• Previous experience in working in the adult acute setting.
• Proven experience of utilising a range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate swallowing and communication disorders in an adult acute population at a specialist level.
• Proven experience at a specialist level of therapeutic interventions relevant to adults with acute acquired neurology, especially dysphagia, demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches.
• Detailed knowledge of multi-disciplinary team approaches.
• Demonstrates knowledge of RCSLT and HCPC’s code of ethics and professional conduct.
• Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to national and local clinical guidelines with reference to adult acute caseload, e.g., National Service Frameworks/ NICE Guidelines.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate legislation affecting working practice, e.g., Working with Vulnerable Adults, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding Adults and Children.
• Demonstration of effective management of change skills including the flexibility in approach to changes in patient and service needs.
• Effective time management and the ability to prioritise own workload with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and commitment to the Equal Opportunities policy, Infection Control and Health and Safety Guidelines.

Apply now for this fantastic career-progressing opportunity by attaching your CV, and a member of our recruitment team will be in contact with you shortly.