Speech and Language Therapist, Stroke and Acute Services

The Methodist Church in Britain; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to learning and development

Job summary

University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire is seeking an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join the Acute and Stroke Inpatient SLT team. The role focuses on assessing and treating adults with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties across stroke and acute wards, with occasional sessions at Rugby St Cross Hospital.

Newly qualified clinicians or those with post-graduate experience are welcome; HCPC registration and RCSLT membership are required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent, and RCSLT membership.
• HCPC registration is required.
• Experience with adults with communication difficulties, independently or with supervision.
• Experience in NHS settings and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide SLT service to hyper acute and acute stroke wards, managing a designated caseload.
• Conduct and interpret assessments of communication and swallowing.
• Plan and prioritise own caseload with senior support.
• Attend MDT meetings and daily rounds to coordinate care.
• Supervise band 4 SLT assistants and training as needed.
• Contribute to service development and quality improvement.
• Record, evaluate and report data in a timely manner.
• Educate and supervise students and junior staff.

Skills

Adult SLT work

Assessment skills

Team collaboration

Clinical governance

Education

SLT degree

RCSLT membership

Job description

A permanent post to grow the Acute and Stroke Inpatient Speech and Language Therapy team at University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire. The role centres on assessing and treating adults with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties across stroke and acute wards. Caseloads span hyper acute stroke, respiratory, neurology, elderly care, emergency and oncology wards, with occasional sessions at Rugby St Cross Hospital, and the post suits newly qualified clinicians or those with post-graduate experience. Fit depends on HCPC registration and RCSLT membership.

What the job involves

• Provide a speech and language therapy service to the hyper acute and acute stroke wards at UHCW, managing a designated caseload within agreed clinical parameters
• Manage a caseload of patients with varying diagnoses and complex needs using evidence-based, client-centred principles
• Plan and prioritise own caseload with support from senior clinicians
• Conduct and interpret formal and informal communication assessments across stroke and acute wards
• Occasionally attend Rugby St Cross Hospital to support speech and language therapy provision
• Attend multidisciplinary team meetings and daily board rounds to coordinate patient care
• Delegate tasks to band 4 SLT assistants and support them
• Take part in training, which may include dysphagia training, to maintain and enhance clinical competencies
• Contribute to clinical practice and service development through planning, evaluation, collaborative working and quality improvement
• Record, evaluate and report high-quality data in a timely manner
• Educate and supervise volunteers, students and junior staff
• Work within National and Trust policies and guidelines, and HCPC and RCSLT standards and codes of conduct

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent, and RCSLT membership

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration

Experience

• Experience working with adults with a communication difficulty, independently or under supervision
• Experience working as part of a team
• Experience working in the NHS

Skills & knowledge

• Up-to-date speech and language therapy knowledge from degree qualification
• Knowledge of communication difficulties affecting adults in an acute setting
• Knowledge of formal and informal assessment tools and therapeutic interventions for the client group
• Good working knowledge of national policies and procedures
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, adapting style to varied listeners

Checks & eligibility

• Immunisation and vaccination report from current UK occupational health provider or UK GP

Other

• Good team member in the multidisciplinary team, supportive of other staff
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to change
• Keyboard and IT skills to support clinical practice
• Awareness of communication needs within a culturally diverse community
• Evidence of demonstrating Trust values and behaviours in the workplace

Nice to have

• Completion of dysphagia competency programme
• Experience delivering training
• Experience working with patients in a hospital setting
• Experience working independently with patients who have communication difficulties
• Knowledge of instrumental assessment of swallowing and referral criteria
• Knowledge of National Stroke Guidelines and SSNAP
• Knowledge of stroke classifications
• Ability to work through interpreters to gain and impart information

What’s offered

• Access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities