Speech and Language Therapist - Band 5

Lincolnshire Community Health Services; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust in Lincolnshire is seeking a Speech and Language Therapist to join an inpatient neurorehabilitation unit, focusing on adults with communication difficulties. The role supports assessment and intervention within a well-established SLT team on Ashby ward at Lincoln County Hospital.

The post offers flexible working up to 33 hours per week, with weekend rotations and opportunities to work towards dysphagia competencies.

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree or equivalent qualification.
• HCPC registration.
• Basic IT skills.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD.
• Completion of relevant short courses.
• Completion of dysphagia competencies.
• Other relevant qualifications, e.g. counselling certificate.
• Membership of relevant CENs.
• Registered member of RCSLT.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose and provide intervention for adults with higher level cognitive linguistic and social communication difficulties after brain injury.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families and staff; adapt communication as needed.
• Support patient-centred communication strategies and use of augmentative and alternative communication as appropriate.
• Work on a rota including regular weekend and Bank holiday shifts.
• Support development toward Level B (Foundation dysphagia) competencies where relevant.

Skills

Excellent communicator

Negotiation & problem solving

Counselling skills

Education

Speech & Language Therapy degree

HCPC registration

Tools

Basic IT skills

Job description

We recognise that outstanding care can only be delivered through our people. We want to attract people who can help us deliver our vision. We want in return to help people achieve what they wish in their careers in the NHS at LCHS.

We are always keen to welcome highly skilled, committed and compassionate individuals to our teams – people who put patients at the heart of everything they do and are ready to help us achieve our vision.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) have come together in a Group arrangement, with the goal of improving the care provided to patients across the county.

This will not constitute a formal merger of the two organisations, but will bring the Trusts together under a single Board and Executive Leadership Team, with the goal of improving the care that is provided to patients both in the community and in hospitals across Lincolnshire. Both Trusts will retain their separate statutory names and legal obligations.

The Group will be known as Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG).

Our Group values guide everything we do. They are:

• Compassionate - We care about people - Compassionate is the act of showing empathy, kindness, and respect to others, recognising their individual needs and circumstances. It involves listening, understanding, and supporting others in a way that makes them feel valued, safe, and cared for.
• Collaborative - We work together as a team - Collaborative is working inclusively and respectfully with others to achieve shared goals. It involves open communication, valuing diverse perspectives, and building trust to create a supportive and effective team environment.
• Innovative - We strive to improve - Innovative is the process of exploring new ideas, approaches, and technologies to improve care, services, and working practices. It involves creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to take risks in a safe and supportive environment.

If you believe in them too, then you are ready to join the LCHG team.

We’ve taken great pride in building working environments where staff always feel valued, cared for and part of a team. Without doubt this is a challenging yet very rewarding job that is at the centre of health and care in Lincolnshire - making a positive difference to our patients. We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated.

Job overview

Due to the promotion of the current post holder, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Speech and Language Therapist (or soon to be qualified SLT) interested in working with Adults with communication difficulties on an inpatient neurorehabilitation unit. We would consider applications from final year SLT students or those with HCPC registration pending.

We are looking for a proactive individual to join our small and supportive SLT team based on Ashby rehabilitation ward at Lincoln County Hospital. Ashby is an 18 bed ward which admits patients aged 16 years+, the majority of whom have an acquired or traumatic brain injury. The SLT team on Ashby is well established within the multidisciplinary team to support patients with communication and swallowing difficulties to reach their optimum potential and enhance their quality of life.

This post has funding for working up to 33 hours per week. It can be discussed at interview how this could be worked flexibly to accommodate both service need and the personal and work commitments of the appointed post holder.

Patients on Ashby may be experiencing communication difficulties including expressive and/or receptive aphasia, motor speech difficulties and cognitive communication disorder. The SLT team work closely with patients, families and other staff on the ward to implement patient centred communication support strategies, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication where appropriate.

Main duties of the job

This post holder will frequently assess, diagnose and provide intervention to patients who may present with higher level cognitive linguistic and social communication difficulties following brain injury. It is therefore essential that the successful applicant has excellent interpersonal skills and that they can adapt their verbal and written communication according to need. Regular weekend and Bank holiday working is an essential part of this role on a rota basis.

Due to the complex nature of the Ashby caseload, it will not be possible for the post holder to obtain independent dysphagia competence in this role. However, the successful applicant will be supported to work towards signing off competencies at Level B (Foundation dysphagia practitioner) of the RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Framework which are deemed relevant in this role.

Working for our organisation

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust is in the top 25 per cent of all community trusts for overall staff engagement in the 2021 NHS National Staff Survey.

At LCHS, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in LCHS’ workforce.

LCHS recognises the increasing demand for more flexibility in working practices in order to accommodate the personal goals and commitments that employees experience at different stages during their working lives. Flexible working opportunities such as part-time working, compressed hours, job shares, and hybrid working models can help staff to balance their personal and work commitments.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description and personal specification

We would very much welcome your application if you are interested in this opportunity. If you would like to find out more, please contact our Operational Lead, Jennifer Burnett on [e-mail] or 07840 842081

Person specification

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree or equivalent qualification
• HCPC registration
• Basic IT skills
• Evidence of ongoing CPD
• Successful completion of relevant/ recognised professional short courses
• Completion of dysphagia competencies
• Other relevant qualifications, e.g. counselling certificate
• Membership of relevant CENs
• Registered member of RCSLT

Experience

• Relevant pre-qualification experience at under/post-graduate level
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance activities
• Experience of working in the NHS
• Experience of audit and research
• Experience of delivering staff training
• Experience of working independently
• Experience of working in ward/acute setting

Skills

• Excellent communicator in a variety of levels and methods
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Up to date knowledge base
• Counselling Skills

Enjoy a better quality of life in one of the UK's most welcoming counties.

Whether you're taking the first exciting steps in your career, itching for a new challenge or searching for a better place to raise a family, Lincolnshire welcomes everyone.

Discover a range of rewarding health and social care careers in a county that's friendly, fascinating, affordable and brimming with everything you need to live a happy life.

Important Information: All new employees will be subject to a charge if a DBS check is required for the post. The Disclosure & Barring Service application form (formerly CRB) will be provided by LCHS and the fee will be deducted from your salary over a maximum of a 3 month period.

Any existing employees who require a DBS check as part of the application process will be subject to a charge for that DBS check.

We are a Disability Confident employer ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Support and/or assistance with completing an application form is available from the Human Resources Team by calling 01522 572889.

We encourage and support vaccination update as this remains the best line of defence against COVID19.

Candidates are advised to read the attached guidance on using AI technology. When you complete your application, you are required to declare that the information in your application form is true and complete.

Please note, for applicants with previous NHS service: If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, LCHS reserves the right to close this advert prior to the closing date.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.