Principal Speech and Language Therapist

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust; Sidcup; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the healthcare sector is seeking a dedicated Speech and Language Therapist to join their Adult Learning Disabilities team. This exciting role offers the chance to lead a complex clinical caseload while providing professional guidance to fellow therapists. You will be instrumental in developing services that cater to adults with learning disabilities, ensuring they receive the highest standards of care. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and possess the necessary expertise, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years post-registration experience in relevant roles.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary and inter-agency working.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of adults with learning disabilities.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to other Speech and Language Therapists.
• Develop and implement treatment plans and evaluate outcomes.

Skills

Speech and Language Therapy

Clinical Leadership

Assessment Skills

Communication Systems

Multi-disciplinary Working

Education

Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Health & Care Professions Council Registration

Management Short Courses

Job description

Main area: Adult Learning Disabilities

Grade Band: 8a

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Mon-Fri, 9-5)

Job ref: 277-6876575-ALD

Site: Adult Learning Disability Service, Queen Mary's Hospital

Town: Sidcup

Salary: £59,490 - £66,239 pa inc

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 02/02/2025 23:59

Interview date: 10/02/2025

Job overview

Are you an experienced Speech and Language Therapist with specialist skills and knowledge working with Adult Learning Disabilities (ALD) and an interest in behaviour that challenges/Mental Health? Are you interested in taking on a leadership role alongside a complex clinical caseload?

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join the highly respected Oxleas ALD Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) service as a Band 8a Principal. You will be providing clinical input to the Tri-Borough (Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich) Intensive Community Support Team, working with complex adults with LD who are at risk of placement breakdown and/or hospital admission. You will provide professional, clinical leadership to the B7 Highly Specialist SaLTs and other SaLT staff based in the three Community Learning Disability Teams supporting a consistent and integrated approach to service delivery. You will be supported by a Consultant SaLT.

Main duties of the job

Overview of the Post

1. To take responsibility for own highly specialised, complex caseload.
2. To provide professional leadership, supervision, and mentoring to Speech and Language Therapists and Support Staff across the community learning disability teams/services.
3. To act as a key contributor in the development of adult learning disability services.
4. To provide advice and training to carers, non-specialists and other specialists/professionals within clinical field and for other agencies as required.
5. To act as a key contributor to clinical audit and research within the service, taking responsibilities for such activities within specialist area.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Task and Responsibilities

1. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own professional activities.
2. To be professionally responsible for the clinical activity of the Speech and Language Therapists working in community learning disability services under supervision structure.
3. To assess, develop and implement Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapy Treatment individually and to ensure high standards of Speech and Language therapy across community learning disability services.
4. To write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge for multiple purposes including medical reports; reports for protection of vulnerable adults and other case conferences; specialist time bound reports and legal reports.
5. To provide appropriate highly specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes.
6. To provide highly specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of Adults who have learning disabilities and resultant physical and psychosocial problems.
7. To demonstrate excellent negotiation skills across a range of issues.
8. To ensure that where appropriate, clients and their carers are involved in the planning and prioritisation of care plans wherever possible.
9. To develop clear care plans based on best practice and functional goals negotiated with the client and family/carers.
10. To provide functional programmes for adults who have learning disabilities appropriate to individual ability levels, goals, and the environment.
11. To provide education and training for adults who have learning disabilities and their carers in the implementation of activity/functional programmes.
12. To provide advice and training to carers non-specialists and other specialists/professionals within clinical field and for other agencies as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Health & Care Professions Council (HPC) Registration.
• Successful completion of management short courses.

Experience

• Minimum of 6 years post registration experience which demonstrates the competencies to meet the role requirements outlined in the JD.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with adult client group in learning disabilities.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary and inter-agency working.
• Experience in providing clinical leadership, supervising and managing other staff.
• Experience of leading a team.

Specialist Clinical Skills

• Highly specialist clinical knowledge and skills gained through experience and appropriate training.
• Highly skilled in clinical assessment relevant to client group.
• Highly skilled in use of alternative and augmentative communication systems.
• In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the specialist client group).
• Experience in contributing to Positive Behaviour Support Plans.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and supports individuals of all abilities. Remember, if you meet the minimum criteria for this role and you have a disability, you can be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you require any adjustments to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know by adding the relevant details when scheduling your preferred interview date and time.