Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to join a developing mental health team on a fixed term basis, covering maternity leave. The role includes assessing and managing communication and swallowing difficulties in adult inpatients, with opportunities for professional development and collaboration within a supportive network.

Qualifications

• Experience in mental health or dementia desirable.
• Background in learning disability, autism, neurological conditions considered.
• Band 5 or 6 SLTs encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist SLT service to adult inpatients with communication/swallowing disorders.
• Conduct assessments and treatment for complex mental health disorders.
• Educate staff in dysphagia management and communication support.

Skills

Dysphagia management

Communication assessment

Education and training

Education

Speech and Language Therapy degree

Job description

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 SLT to join the BNSSG adult inpatient mental health service on a fixed term basis, covering maternity leave.

You will work with a high degree of autonomy, providing specialist dysphagia and communication assessment and intervention on working age and older adult mental health wards, and training staff in screening and managing patients’ swallowing and communication needs. Most clinical work will be based at Callington Road Hospital (Bristol) and Long Fox Unit (Weston Super Mare).

Experience in mental health or dementia is desirable. However, if you have a background in learning disability, autism, acquired/progressive neurological conditions and developmental SLCN, you will have highly relevant, transferable skills and will be considered if you demonstrate a passion or curiosity for further development in mental health. We welcome applications from suitably experienced Band 5 SLTs, or Band 6 SLTs looking to widen their skill set.

As this is a small, developing team, there is flexibility for the successful candidate to pursue and develop their clinical interests and expertise and work closely with the Band 7 SLT to contribute in shaping the role and the service. You will be part of the trust-wide SLT network, which organises regular CPD and professional support sessions, and have access to specialist courses specific to mental health, if required.

Main duties of the job

To provide a specialist speech and language therapy (SLT) service to adult inpatients with disorders of communication and/or swallowing in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

Highly skilled assessment and treatment of communication difficulties and eating and drinking difficulties within a caseload of people with complex and enduring mental health disorders.

Providing written information regarding patients’ communication and dysphagia needs in the form of reports, care plans and easy read information.

Providing ongoing education to ward and catering staff in the recognition and management of dysphagia.

Providing ongoing education to ward staff in understanding communication difficulties and developing skills in how best to support people with communication needs.

Engaging in joint goal setting with the patient, family and wider MDT.

Advocating for the value of Speech & Language Therapy to the MDT in the diagnosis and management of complex communication and swallowing disorders in the inpatient mental health population.