Highly Specialist S&L Therapist/Deputy Team Manager

West London NHS Trust; Southall; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

West London NHS Trust is seeking a senior Speech and Language Therapist to lead specialist assessment and management of dysphagia on adult and older adult inpatient wards. The role includes supervision of junior staff and deputising for the Team Manager, with opportunities for clinical leadership development.

You will work within an MDT to deliver person-centred care, support training and participate in audits and service improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• HCPC and RCSLT registration are required.
• Substantial post-qualification experience with adults and older adults.
• Independent assessment and management of dysphagia, including mealtime management and outcome evaluation.
• Experience with speech, language and cognitive-communication needs, including complex presentations.
• Experience supervising junior SLTs and students.
• Delivery of training or structured groups to service users or staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage an independent caseload of specialist communication and swallowing assessment on adult and older adult wards.
• Provide clinical supervision and support to junior SLTs.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary care planning and risk management.
• Collaborate with ward teams, dietitians and physiotherapists for integrated care.
• Deputise for Team Manager and take on leadership responsibilities as role develops.
• Support training, quality improvement, audits and service development.

Skills

Communication skills

Clinical leadership

Time management

Interprofessional collaboration

Autonomous practice

Supervision

Education

Recognised SLT degree or equivalent

RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Level C/D

Job description

West London NHS Trust's Physical Health AHP Team needs a senior speech and language therapist for adult and older adult mental health inpatient wards, with a deputy role for the Team Manager. The core is specialist assessment and management of communication and swallowing difficulties, including dementia, stroke and brain injury, alongside supervision of junior colleagues. Clinical leadership and deputising duties build over time with support from the Team Manager. Applicants need HCPC and RCSLT registration plus a Level C/D dysphagia competency.

What the job involves

• Manage an independent caseload of specialist communication and swallowing assessment and management on adult and older adult mental health inpatient wards
• Provide clinical supervision and support to junior SaLTs in assessing complex presentations
• Contribute to multidisciplinary care planning, clinical decision-making and risk management
• Work with ward teams, dietitians and physiotherapists to deliver integrated, person-centred physical healthcare
• Deputise for the Team Manager alongside other senior AHP clinicians
• Take on clinical leadership and supervisory responsibilities as the role develops
• Contribute to multidisciplinary training, quality improvement, audit and service development

What's required

Qualifications

• Recognised speech and language therapy degree or equivalent
• RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Level C/D (2014 framework or equivalent)

Registration & licences

• HCPC and RCSLT registration

Experience

• Substantial post-qualification experience with adults and older adults, including managing a complex caseload autonomously
• Independent assessment and management of acute and chronic dysphagia, including mealtime management and outcome evaluation
• Assessment and intervention for speech, language and cognitive-communication needs, including complex presentations
• Effective multidisciplinary working on dysphagia and communication needs
• Clinical supervision of junior SLTs and/or students
• Delivering training or structured groups to service users and/or staff, and developing structured groups

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of assessment tools and evidence-based interventions for dysphagia and complex communication
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Accessible Information Standard, clinical governance, audit and quality standards
• Clear verbal and written communication, empathy and collaborative interpersonal skills, including high-quality documentation
• Ability to adapt communication to individual, cultural and linguistic needs
• Sound professional judgement, prioritisation and time management, practising autonomously amid competing demands

Other

• Reflective practice, engagement in supervision and commitment to Trust values
• Ability to travel between clinical sites, with reasonable adjustments where appropriate

Nice to have

• Relevant postgraduate or additional training, e.g. AAC, Makaton, Talking Mats, Intensive Interaction or supervision
• Experience with adults with mental health conditions, neurodivergent people, or complex communication and behavioural support needs
• Experience applying the Accessible Information Standard in clinical practice
• Experience using total communication approaches, including AAC and visual supports
• Experience supporting and escalating complex swallowing decisions
• Experience in service development, audit, quality improvement, research or innovation, with knowledge of their methodologies
• Ability to develop and support specialist areas of clinical practice or services
• Leadership potential, emotional intelligence and willingness to take delegated management responsibilities