Speciality Speech and Language Therapist

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS teaching trust in Oxford is seeking an experienced Speech and Language Therapist for acute inpatient wards at the John Radcliffe Hospital. You will use specialist clinical skills to manage a caseload of adults with communication disorders. Working closely with a multi-disciplinary team ensures provision of high-quality, person-centred care. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant degree, HPCC registration, and dysphagia training.

Qualifications

• Recognized Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent is mandatory.
• Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registration is essential.
• Post-graduate dysphagia training is required.

Responsibilities

• Identify and manage patients with communication disorders in a clinical setting.
• Implement evidence-based Speech and Language Therapy interventions.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team for patient-centered care.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Communication disorders management

Team collaboration

Independence in decision-making

Supervision and mentoring

Problem-solving

Education

Speech and Language Therapy Degree

Post-graduate dysphagia training

Job description

Overview

The post holder will be an experienced Speech and Language Therapist working across acute inpatient wards at the John Radcliffe Hospital. This includes complex medicine, elderly care, surgery, cardiac services, and trauma. They will be an integral member of the inpatient Speech and Language Therapy team and work closely within multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring patients receive person-centred and effective care.

Responsibilities

• Use specialist clinical skills to identify, assess, diagnose and manage a specialist caseload of adults with acquired swallowing and communication disorders across a complex general medical caseload.
• Select the appropriate intervention for effective, evidence-based therapy.
• Make independent decisions about caseload management.
• Contribute to audit and service development projects in this clinical area and the wider department.
• Independently receive and provide supervision for students on placement.
• Provide necessary cover for the caseloads of other Speech and Language Therapists within the Trust during periods of annual/sick leave.

Clinical and Professional Responsibilities

• Assess, develop and implement specialist evidence-based Speech and Language Therapy interventions, and make appropriate clinical decisions following assessments including differential diagnosis, to develop care plans based on best practice.
• Generate written reports reflecting specialist knowledge and provide specialist intervention while evaluating outcomes.
• Use specialist skills to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management for complex clinical issues.
• Provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients with communication and swallowing disorders.
• Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to achieve patient-centred care.
• Liaise with a wide range of professionals across locations and agencies.
• Maintain concentration in patient management, monitoring auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of communication and adapting to perceived needs.

Policy / Service Development / Implementation

• Represent Speech and Language Therapy at multi-disciplinary team meetings, ensuring coordinated care.
• Adhere to and implement Service and team plans, provide regular statistical data, maintain high-quality clinical records, and comply with data protection guidelines.
• Work within infection control and health and safety guidelines, and participate in Trust incident reporting and risk management procedures.
• Use specialist knowledge to inform service/policy developments and implement policy within the specialist area; participate in the Service/Trust Clinical Governance Plan.

Financial and Physical Resources

• Monitor stock levels and request new equipment as required; ensure security, care and maintenance of equipment with infection control and safety standards.

Human Resources

• Supervise and mentor junior Speech and Language Therapists, support workers and therapy assistants; participate in student clinical placements and support students from other professional groups.
• Explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to visitors and participate in ongoing specialist training; assist in identifying training needs within the team.

Information Resources

• Maintain up-to-date, accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local policies; adhere to data protection guidelines and gather activity data as required.

Research and Development

• Participate in and develop innovations in risk management, quality standards, and clinical effectiveness; undertake Clinical Governance/audit projects; participate in developmental research and R&D activities; collect and provide research data as required.

We are looking forward to welcoming an experienced, driven and creative team player who thrives in a busy, multi-disciplinary team environment. You will work alongside other Speech and Language Therapists, in particular SLTs who work in the Acute Stroke, Neurosciences and Critical Care workstreams.

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registration
• Formal post-graduate dysphagia training

Desirable criteria

• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT); evidence of high-level specialist knowledge/skills from experience and CPD
• Experience of working within acute general medicine specialty and in a multi-disciplinary team
• Knowledge/application of Clinical Governance principles
• Experience of supervising students/junior staff; experience of service review, quality improvement and audit; RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies (Level B/C)
• Excellent interpersonal, listening, negotiation, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent reflective practice and analytical skills; ability to identify learning needs and seek support for development
• Independent workload/caseload prioritisation and management, with flexibility in an unpredictable environment
• Ability to work well in a team and assume leadership when required
• RCSLT Videofluoroscopy competencies (Level 2+), Tracheostomy competencies (Level 1+), FEES competencies (Level 1+)
• Evidence of participation in clinical audit/research
• You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services, and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals: John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington, and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values are Delivering Compassionate Excellence, focusing on compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence, and put patients at the heart of what we do. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.