Macmillan Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust; Dartford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Kent is seeking a Macmillan Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for Darent Valley Hospital. The role includes assessing and treating communication disorders for cancer patients, with a focus on teamwork and flexibility in work arrangements. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience in dysphagia and cancer care. This position offers competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

5% cost of living supplement

Flexible working options

In-house training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working with adult dysphagia and a cancer caseload is essential.
• Experience supervising junior colleagues and SLT students is required.
• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the specialist patient group is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Independent assessment and treatment of swallowing and communication disorders.
• Work within the SLT team to care for cancer patients.
• Liaise with local cancer professionals and the West Kent H&N MDT.

Skills

Communication skills

Counseling skills

Presentation skills

Team collaboration

Education

Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification

Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practise

Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

Postgraduate training or accredited qualification in Videofluoroscopy/FEES

Tools

Videofluoroscopy

FEES

Job description

Macmillan Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

We are seeking a Band 7 Macmillan Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our Speech & Language Therapy Team at Darent Valley Hospital - part of Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, which is one of the largest hospital trusts in North Kent and proud to be CQC rated 'Good'. The post includes 5% cost of living supplement as the hospital borders South-East London. Full-time/ part-time/job-share options will be considered, fitting with our strong philosophy of flexibility and work-life balance.

You will work across outpatient and inpatient settings predominantly with Head and Neck Cancer, with outpatients comprising the large majority of the workload, including a laryngectomy caseload. Dedicated specialist provision is required for other cancer diagnoses, particularly lung and oesophageal. Community visiting is required in specific circumstances but equates to a very small number per year. The role includes liaison between local cancer professionals and the West Kent H&N MDT which spans across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be independent in the assessment and treatment of swallowing and communication disorders resulting from oncological/surgical treatment, therefore experience working with adult dysphagia and a cancer caseload is essential, and SVR work is very highly desirable. The role provides an opportunity to work with a diverse population with varying rehabilitative or supportive needs. Informal skills in counselling, as well as experience of junior/student supervision will also be necessary.

You will work within our large SLT team to care for people with a cancer diagnosis, alongside a junior Macmillan SLT, dedicated Macmillan administrative support, and assistance of the SLT team's service Leads. The SLT team also works as part of an extremely supportive Therapies Directorate with wider AHP support structures.

We have well-established videofluoroscopy and FEES services, and regularly provide in-house training to develop expertise across the team. Knowledge and skills in these areas are therefore highly desirable for the Macmillan caseload, though we actively support the development of competencies in these

About us

The post holder will be independent in the assessment and treatment of a range of swallowing and communication disorders resulting from oncological treatment, therefore experience working with adult dysphagia is essential as well as experience of a cancer caseload. The role provides an opportunity to work with a diverse caseload with varying rehabilitative or supportive needs. Informal skills in counselling, as well as experience of junior/student supervision will also be necessary.

We have well-established videofluoroscopy and FEES services, and regularly provide in-house training to develop expertise across the team. Knowledge and skills in these areas are therefore highly desirable for the Macmillan caseload, though we actively support the development of competencies in these.

Job responsibilities

The wider Adult SLT service at Darent Valley Hospital

Our friendly and driven team of 17 SLT staff members has expanded significantly in recent years with strong clinical leadership across Inpatient and Outpatient specialities. This role will see you join this focused and flexible leadership team, allowing opportunity to further develop the Macmillan and wider SLT service.

The chosen candidate will access support and peer supervision from our well established and well-resourced SLT team, as well as forming relationships with the Trusts and wider cancer networks including the regional oncology SLTs and specialist CENs. They will be joining a welcoming, energetic and innovative department offering regular CPD opportunities both internally and externally.

We are passionate about service development including clinical innovations to enhance patient care, and keep abreast of research, RCSLT and AHP-wide advances. We also actively promote MDT and AHP liaison and networking, and have an active social media presence via our X page. See our recruitment video to hear more from our team- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZCMlSDW0o

Please do contact us for more information or to arrange an informal visit ([e-mail] / 01322 428593) - we would be delighted to hear from you and to provide more detail.

Person Specification

Education and Training

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practise
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
• Post graduate training or accredited qualification in Videofluoroscopy/ FEES
• Training or qualification in the care of laryngectomy and surgical voice restoration

Experience

• Experience of working with cancer caseload
• Experience of work in both an inpatient and outpatient setting
• Experience of supervising junior colleagues, including SLTAs and SLT students
• Experience of developing and delivering training, employing excellent presentation skills
• Experience of advising/providing second opinions
• Experience of mentoring/ preceptorship
• Experience in leading and completing project work in specialist area
• Experience in videofluoroscopy/FEES
• Experience with laryngectomy and SVR
• Competent with tracheostomy patients

Knowledge and Skills

• In-depth knowledge of national guidelines appropriate to a cancer caseload
• Specialist knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist patient group
• Specialist knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the specialist patient group and ability to compare and contrast benefits
• Ability to work in a time-sensitive manner with the multidisciplinary team
• Specialist knowledge of trends/best practice within the clinical specialism
• Knowledge of the work and aims of Macmillan Cancer Support
• Active member of national level CENs and participation in conferences relevant to caseload

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£50,008 to £56,908 a yearincl HCAS per annum