Specialist Speech And Language Therapist

Norfolk And Suffolk Nhs Foundation Trust; Lowestoft; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for the Adult Community Learning Disability Service in Lowestoft. You will work autonomously within a dynamic MDT, delivering assessments and interventions for complex communication and dysphagia needs, and contributing to service development.

The role involves co-production with service users, carers and families, leading on treatment plans, and engaging in professional supervision and mandatory

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people with a learning disability.
• Experience in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Experience delivering teaching / training.

Responsibilities

• Work as an integrated member of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Embed SLT process and pathway in the clinical area.
• Assess, diagnose, and provide intervention across speech, language and communication needs.
• Use communication tools (verbal/non-verbal) and AAC devices where appropriate.
• Set focused treatment goals with service users and carers.
• Contribute to PBSPs and provide specialist clinical advice.

Skills

Experience with learning disability

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Teaching / training delivery

Education

Degree in Speech & Language Therapy

Post graduate dysphagia qualification

Job description

Job summary

Are you an experienced Speech and Language Therapist looking for your next challenge? Do you thrive on autonomy, clinical complexity, and multidisciplinary collaboration? Would you love the opportunity to shape and develop specialist SLT provision within community adult learning disability services?

We are looking for a proactive, passionate, and motivated Specialist SLT to join our Adult Community LD Service in Lowestoft. You will work as an integral part of a dynamic, skilled, and supportive MDT including psychologists, nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, clinical support workers, and assistant practitioners.

In this rewarding role, you will support individuals with a learning disability with complex mental and physical health needs, helping them regain independence, build meaningful communication pathways, and make informed decisions about their care.

If you thrive in environments where you can use your expertise, shape service delivery, and make a genuine difference every day, then we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• Assess communication needs using standardised and non-standardised assessments


• Provide assessment and intervention for dysphagia


• Provide assessment and intervention as part of a multi disciplinary team approach


• Engage with service users, carers and family throughout the treatment process to ensure that co-production is at the centre of care.


• Devise, deliver, monitor, and evaluate treatment plans, modifying where necessary.


• Devise, deliver, monitor, and evaluate training and support packages for family and carers.


• Report verbally and in writing observation and assessment of service users.


• Attend/lead clinical meetings (e.g. multi-disciplinary team meetings, case conferences, reviews, and complex case discussions) as needed and contribute to the discussion on professional and service issues.


• Engage with agreed team processes e.g. duty

About us

At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, inclusion is at the heart of how we work. We are committed to creating a fair, transparent and accessible recruitment process where every candidate has the opportunity to succeed.

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in our workforce, including those from the global majority. We recognise that not everyone has equal access to opportunities and are working to address this.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring all candidates receive a positive and equitable experience.

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us?

We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Job responsibilities

• Work as an integrated member of the Multi-Disciplinary team


• Embed the Speech and Language Therapy process and pathway into the clinical area


• Use specialist knowledge to independently assess, diagnose, and provide intervention, across the full range of speech, language, and communication needs for the served population


• Where possible, devise and use/ facilitate use of appropriate and person-centred verbal and non-verbal communication tools e.g. pictures, symbols, AAC devices


• Work collaboratively with service users to set focused treatment goals


• Contribute to Positive Behaviour Support Plans (PBSP).


• Provide specialist clinical advice relevant to your area


• Engage with service users, carers and family throughout the treatment process to ensure that co-production is at the centre of care


• Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including caseload management and direct clinical care.


• Work autonomously and manage own workload, balancing clinical work and supporting professional activities


• Obtain and record informed consent from patients and/or their significant others at each contact in accordance with Trust policy and the legal requirements of the MH Act and the MCA and DoLs.


• Provide support for colleagues in making information accessible for patients, in accordance with Greenlight standards and NSFT trust strategy


• Work alone across a wide range of settings including specialist residential and day services, work and education environments, hospital sites, and homes as appropriate


• Attend/lead clinical meetings (e.g. multi-disciplinary team meetings, case conferences, reviews, and complex case discussions) as needed and contribute to the discussion on professional and service issues.


• Where appropriate to deputise for the Therapy Lead/Clinical Lead


• Adhere to the HCPC Standards of Proficiency and maintain a CPD portfolio


• Engage with clinical and management supervision in accordance with trust policy


• Attend mandatory training according to trust policy


• Provide support to junior staff and student

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy


• Post graduate dysphagia qualification

Desirable

• Makaton or sign language qualification


• Further communication training

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people with a learning disability


• Experience of working in a multi disciplinary setting


• Experience of delivering teaching / training

Desirable

• experience of supervising SLT assistants and / or SLT students

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Experience of using a range of SLT assessments and interventions with people with a learning disability


• Knowledge of relevant local and national documents and guidance in relation to PLD

Desirable

• Knowledge of using intensive interaction, talking mats, social stories

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).