Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Neurosciences

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dedicated specialist clinician to join their Neurosciences SLT team. This exciting role involves providing expert Speech & Language Therapy to adults with communication and swallowing disorders. You will work in a state-of-the-art teaching hospital, collaborating with a supportive team of specialists and contributing to innovative research. This fixed-term contract offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills in a dynamic environment while making a significant impact on patient care. Join a workforce that values excellence and inclusivity, and be part of a team committed to delivering high-quality healthcare.

Qualifications

• Specialist in Speech & Language Therapy for adults with communication disorders.
• Experience in conducting assessments and managing caseloads independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment and treatment for patients with swallowing disorders.
• Conduct audits and contribute to research in the field of Neurosciences.

Skills

Speech & Language Therapy

Differential Diagnosis

Patient Assessment

Communication Disorders Knowledge

Research and Audit

Education

Degree in Speech & Language Therapy

Relevant Clinical Experience

Tools

Videofluoroscopy

Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES)

Job description

A Vacancy at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Fixed term contract/ secondment opportunity until 31st December 2025.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated specialist clinician to work as part of the Neurosciences SLT team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. This is a fixed term contract (9 months) covering research opportunities within the team. The post is based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, a large state of the art teaching hospital. The post holder will work with in-patients across the hyper acute and acute stroke unit and also have an opportunity to be involved with FEES and the videofluoroscopy service.

You will join a supportive and motivated team and will have access to a number of specialists, including Head and Neck Cancer, Acute/CCC and Voice. The team are enthusiastic and innovative and are committed to evidence based practice. Regular team meetings, support and supervision ensure a high quality of service is provided. The team also has strong links with the University of East Anglia, including the School of Health Sciences and Medical School.

If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported.

1. To provide specialist Speech & Language Therapy assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment for adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
2. To provide specialist education, training and advice to patients, carers, SLT colleagues, other health care professionals, students, and voluntary organisations.
3. To be involved in undertaking audit and contributing to research in the field of Neurosciences.
4. To hold and manage an identified caseload independently and to be legally accountable for all clinical decisions and professional actions.
5. To provide specialist assessment, differential diagnosis and appropriate clearly planned SLT intervention and discharge planning for patients with a wide range of disorders within the NNUH Neurosciences service, in line with RCSLT Clinical Guidelines and standards set by the Team Leader/SLT Service Manager.
6. To demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of Neurosciences underpinned by current evidence based practice.
7. To adapt assessment and intervention techniques to the needs of the individual patients on an ongoing basis, including use of augmentative and alternative communication systems as appropriate.
8. To support junior colleagues and identify the need for second opinions, referring to senior colleagues as appropriate.
9. To work under the supervision of the Highly Specialist SLTs, to conduct and analyse instrumental assessments (e.g., Videofluoroscopy, Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES) and to be aware of the health and safety issues in regard to radiation and bodily fluids.
10. For complex patients such as those with tracheostomies, to work under the supervision of the Highly Specialist SLTs in supporting weaning, communication and swallowing function as Service need dictates.
11. To independently carry out airway suctioning on patients as required, once competency has been achieved.
12. To contribute to assessment and information-gathering re: patients’ mental capacity and ability to give informed consent with support from senior colleagues, and to assist patients to maximise their independence in decision-making and communicating their wishes.
13. To work closely with all appropriate agencies and multi-disciplinary colleagues to ensure comprehensive management of patients’ SLT needs, providing written and verbal reports as appropriate, enabling all parties involved to fully understand the nature of the patient’s communication and swallowing disorders.

To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate NNUH’s ‘PRIDE’ values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence and demonstrate behaviours that support and encourage an inclusive culture.

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

This advert closes on Friday 7 Mar 2025.