Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to join the Adult Learning Disability Intensive Support Team. The role involves assessment and intervention for adults with learning disabilities who have communication or swallowing difficulties, including community-dwelling clients at risk of crisis and a link to Hollies Ward for inpatient care.

The post requires HCPC registration, with supervision and professional guidance as needed.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as a speech and language therapist.
• Experience with adults with learning disabilities and complex communication needs.
• Experience with dysphagia assessment, intervention and risk management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with clear clinical records.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and intervention for adults with learning disabilities and dysphagia needs.
• Independently manage a specialist caseload within the Intensive Support Team.
• Deliver sessional SLT input to The Hollies Learning Disability service and related wards.
• Support people with complex communication needs using AAC and Total Communication.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary assessments, care planning and safeguarding.
• Provide timely advice to colleagues, carers and families on communication support.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Risk assessment

Documentation

Team collaboration

Autonomous practice

Education

HCPC registration (SLT)

Job description

This Band 6 specialist speech and language therapist post sits in the Adult Learning Disability Intensive Support Team at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. The role assesses and advises adults with learning disabilities who have communication or swallowing difficulties, including people in the community at risk of crisis, and helps prevent admissions. A defined sessional contribution to The Hollies learning disability ward links community and inpatient care. HCPC registration is required, and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for adults with learning disabilities who have communication, eating, drinking and swallowing needs
• Independently manage and prioritise a specialist caseload within the Intensive Support Team, using clinical reasoning, risk assessment and evidence-based practice
• Provide sessional speech and language therapy input to The Hollies Learning Disability Assessment and Treatment Service, covering assessment, care planning, dysphagia management, communication support and discharge…
• Assess and support people with complex communication needs through accessible information, reasonable adjustments, Total Communication and augmentative and alternative communication where appropriate
• Undertake dysphagia assessment and intervention, including safe eating and drinking recommendations and risk management plans
• Contribute to multidisciplinary assessment, formulation, care planning, positive behaviour support, safeguarding, capacity discussions, risk review and discharge planning
• Give timely specialist advice to colleagues, carers, families and providers on communication support, dysphagia management and reasonable adjustments
• Work closely with service users, carers and multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver person-centred care and positive outcomes
• Work autonomously within professional and organisational boundaries, seeking supervision and professional support as needed
• Maintain HCPC registration and follow RCSLT professional guidance
• Support communication-friendly and dysphagia-aware practice across Adult Learning Disability Services
• Contribute to service development, audit and quality improvement activity

What’s required

Registration & licences

• Current HCPC registration as a speech and language therapist

Experience

• Experience working with adults with learning disabilities and complex communication needs
• Experience of dysphagia assessment, intervention and risk management

Skills & knowledge

• Specialist knowledge of communication and dysphagia needs in adults with learning disabilities
• Effective written and verbal communication, including clear clinical records and reports
• Understanding of safeguarding, consent, mental capacity, clinical governance and professional accountability
• Confident assessing and supporting people with complex communication needs
• Works well as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Other

• Dysphagia competency, or a commitment to maintain and develop it

Nice to have

• RCSLT membership
• Experience within community learning disability or intensive support services
• Experience of inpatient learning disability pathways
• Understanding of audit, quality improvement and service development