Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

UCLH (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust); London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a leading NHS trust as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. This role offers the opportunity to assess and treat patients with complex communication and swallowing disorders in an acute care setting. You will be supported by strong leadership and a collaborative environment, fostering your professional growth and development. With a focus on patient care and teamwork, this position is ideal for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of patients. If you are motivated and ready to take on new challenges, this role could be the perfect fit for you.

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy and HCPC License required.
• Minimum 3 years experience in relevant field, including 1 year at specialist level.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage patients with complex speech and swallowing disorders.
• Deliver comprehensive rehabilitation and supervise junior staff.

Skills

Assessment of communication disorders

Dysphagia management

Leadership skills

Instrumental assessment

Clinical supervision

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

HCPC License to Practice

MSc in relevant communication disorders

Tools

Videofluoroscopy

FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)

Job description

Current vacancies

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 7

Main area: Clinical Support Grade NHS AfC: Band 7

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref: 309-UCLH-5618

Site: University College London Hospital

Town: London

Salary: £54,320 - £60,981 per annum inclusive of HCAS

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 05/01/2025 23:59

The use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it, then they are required to declare this in their supporting statement.

Job overview

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly, supportive, and hardworking team.

You will be responsible for the assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) as well as maintaining a general acute care caseload.

The post is based within the Adult Acute Team at University College London Hospital (UCH). You will work flexibly across the AMU and general acute wards, as assigned by the Clinical Lead. You will be provided with managerial and leadership support, an established supervision system, and a range of opportunities for learning and participation in self and service development.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Interviews - subject to confirmation: Tuesday 21.01.25.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for delivering a comprehensive and specialist service to patients presenting with complex speech, language, swallow, and voice disorders in the adult acute setting. Primary duties include:

1. Assessment and management of patients with complex dysphagia, including tracheostomy management.
2. Assessment and management of patients with complex communication impairments.
3. Delivery of comprehensive rehabilitation for speech, language, swallow, and voice.
4. Use of instrumental assessment to guide dysphagia management, including videofluoroscopy (competencies required) and/or FEES (competencies desired).
5. Supervising junior staff, as designated by the Team Lead.
6. Demonstrating strong leadership skills, including demonstrating initiative, organisational skills, and assisting with management of the team.

Working for our organisation

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (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. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy (or equivalent)
• HCPC License to Practice in the area of Speech and Language Therapy
• Successful completion of highly specialist post-graduate student relevant to communication (e.g., aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria) and swallowing disorders at MSc level or equivalent
• Successful completion of highly specialist training or expert short courses in tracheostomy assessment and management (including use of speaking valves for patients on ventilators), interpretation of fluoroscopic, and the highly specialist assessment and management of dysphagia
• Basic counselling skills or courses
• Training in SLT student clinical supervision
• Member of relevant CENs
• Evidence of working within the NHS

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years experience in a relevant field post-registration, including 1 year at a specialist level
• Of delivering and evaluating training to a range of audiences
• Of supervising junior staff
• Proven experience of a highly specialist range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate swallowing disorders, communication and cognitive communication, speech & language skills in an adult acute population
• Proven experience of the key characteristics leading to a highly specialist differential diagnosis of swallowing disorders including use of videofluoroscopy
• Proven experience of key characteristics leading to a highly specialist differential diagnosis in tracheostomy care
• Proven experience of selecting, setting & evaluating highly specialist treatment goals
• Proven experience of a highly specialist range 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
• Good understanding of the clinical governance principles (e.g. audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, patient and public involvement)
• Of carrying out evidence based research projects
• Basic knowledge of qualitative & quantitative research approaches, the key elements of writing a research protocol

Values

• Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of RCSLT and HPCs code of ethics and professional conduct
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate legislation affecting working practice e.g. Working with Vulnerable Adults, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding Children
• Demonstration of effective management of change skills including the flexibility in approach to changes in patient and service needs
• The ability to develop & implement short term clinically based projects

Communication

• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Skills in delivering presentations and training including basic adaptations to presentation/ training style for a range of audiences

Personal and People Development

• Experience of approaches to mentoring, advising, supporting and clinically supervising less experienced SLTs and support staff

Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:

• Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control. Completing all required training and education (both via e-learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control.

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

• Demonstrable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties

At UCLH, we have a real ‘One Team’ ethos, and our values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work.

At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities.

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.