Dysphagia Pathway Lead - SLT Specialist

Iris Care Group; Cardiff, Newport, Pontypridd; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Iris Care Group in Cardiff seeks an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to lead a new Dysphagia pathway across services. The post combines clinical expertise with leadership, supervision and involvement in training and service development.

You will provide specialist assessment and management of complex eating, drinking and swallowing issues, developing evidence-based pathways, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, high-quality dysphagia care.

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
• HCPC registration to practice.
• Postgraduate development in dysphagia/EDS.
• Continuing professional development relevant to complex dysphagia practice.
• Masters in relevant area or MSc level work and/or willingness to pursue MSc level work.
• Significant post-registration Speech and Language Therapy experience.
• Experience within specialist mental health, learning disability, neuropsychiatry, neurological rehabilitation or complex care.
• Experience across multiple clinical sites and in specialist education/ALN settings.
• Experience supporting people with complex communication needs alongside dysphagia.

Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialist assessment and management of individuals presenting with complex eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
• Undertake comprehensive clinical swallowing assessments and develop individualised dysphagia management recommendations.
• Assess oral motor structure and function and the efficiency and safety of swallowing, consistent with the organisation's dysphagia policy.
• Make complex clinical decisions regarding eating and drinking, including recommendations relating to food texture, fluid consistency, positioning, pacing and environmental factors.
• Identify where instrumental assessment is clinically indicated and support onward referral to investigations such as videofluoroscopy.
• Develop clear, person-centred Eating, Drinking and Swallowing plans/guidance for the wider team.
• Review individuals following changes in presentation, health status, swallowing ability or identified risk.
• Provide specialist advice in situations involving complex dysphagia and choking/aspiration risk.
• Contribute specialist EDS expertise to multidisciplinary assessment, care planning, risk management, and discharge planning.

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Registered to practice by HCPC

Postgraduate development in dysphagia/EDS

Continuing professional development in dysphagia

Masters in relevant area or MSc level work

Significant post-registration Speech and Language Therapy experience

Experience across multiple clinical sites

Experience in specialist education/ALN settings

Experience supporting people with complex communication needs alongside dysphagia

Job description

Iris Care Group in Cardiff seeks an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to lead a new Dysphagia pathway across services. The post combines clinical expertise with leadership, supervision and involvement in training and service development.

You will provide specialist assessment and management of complex eating, drinking and swallowing issues, developing evidence-based pathways, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, high-quality dysphagia care.