Speech & Language Therapist

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Foundation Trust in the UK is seeking a dedicated Speech and Language Therapist to provide specialist support for adults with learning disabilities. The role involves conducting assessments, planning interventions, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. Candidates should have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and be registered with HCPC. A valid driving license and willingness to work flexibly is also required. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact within a supportive and dynamic team.

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Specialist knowledge in speech and language assessments.
• Experience of working within a learning disability setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality Speech and Language Therapy for service users.
• Manage a caseload using evidence-based person-centered principles.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary formulation and Positive Behaviour Support Plans.

Skills

Communication skills

Clinical assessment

Dysphagia management

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Post graduate dysphagia training

Job description

Overview

The Intensive Support Service provides specialist multidisciplinary community intensive support to adults with learning disabilities who are in crisis due to escalation of behaviours of concern and/or deterioration of their mental health. The focus of the service is to support individuals to remain in their home, to prevent, where possible, the breakdown of care arrangements/placement and prevent admission to hospital. The service acts as a gateway to the inpatient assessment and treatment service and works in close liaison with inpatient services to facilitate appropriate admission and timely discharge from services. The team operates 9am - 5pm 365 days per year and works with service users in a variety of health and social care settings. You will be forward thinking and able to demonstrate clinical knowledge in the area of adult learning disabilities based on current evidence. You will autonomously undertake specialist assessments and interventions with individuals with both communication difficulties and dysphagia.

Responsibilities

• Act as a clinical expert in their service area. This means keeping clinically up to date, being able to assess service users thoroughly, plan care rigorously, and audit and evaluate interventions based on evidence and locally agreed protocols and policies
• To provide high quality, comprehensive Speech and language Therapy assessment and intervention for specified service user group
• Contribute to multidisciplinary Formulation and Positive Behaviour Support Plans, ensuring individual's key communication needs and preferences are reflected in all stages of the plan, including risk assessment
• To manage a caseload using evidence based person centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic and community settings and on home visit
• To act in a consultative role to external agencies in relation to clinical interventions, risk assessments and management plans
• To provide this service to service users within the Intensive Support Service who present with communication and/or dysphagia difficulties
• To undertake supervision of junior staff and students as required
• To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team
• To manage a mixed caseload, using evidence based person centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions for the specified service user group
• To maintain clinical records
• To develop skills and knowledge, to assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans for service users within the Norfolk Intensive Support Service, including those with profound learning disabilities, additional sensory and/or physical disability, mental health diagnosis and/or challenging behaviour
• To assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans for service users presenting with dysphagia
• To be responsible for managing a defined caseload, in the context of the service caseload, with ongoing evaluation of clinical effectiveness
• To work with and be available to other SLTs and generic technicians for support and joint consultation regarding clinical practice as required
• To be an autonomous practitioner
• To work with service users and carers to identify SLT requirements as part of the overall care plan
• To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the service user and carer
• To monitor, evaluate and modify interventions with service users to ensure effectiveness of intervention and positive outcomes
• To have knowledge and understanding of the application of alternative and augmentative communication
• To have the skills needed to facilitate group work with service users
• To undertake complex risk assessment and risk management for individual clients
• To ensure that clients are consulted and involved in decision about their care
• An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and innovative Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) to join the Norfolk Learning Disability Services based in Norfolk and Waveney in the Intensive Support Services (ISS), Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registration with HCPC
• Member of the RCSLT
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Post graduate dysphagia training or willingness to undertake, Specialist knowledge and application of speech and language therapy assessments and interventions
• Detailed knowledge of evidence based practice and its contribution to practice governance
• Planning and coordination of treatment packages
• Supervision skills
• Experience of working within a Learning Disability setting

Desirable criteria

• Experience of managing a mixed (dysphagia and communication) caseload
• Clear and effective communication through written, verbal and non-verbal modes
• Broad knowledge of current best practice in SLT, Learning Disabilities and mental health
• Group work skills
• Understanding of team dynamics
• Complete differential diagnosis in the area of speech and language therapy
• Computer literacy
• Basic word processing skills
• Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving) and willingness to work flexibly
• Commitment to patient centred, non-discriminatory practice
• Commitment to lifelong learning
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience of supervising students and other staff
• Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle
• An understanding of hazards associated with lone working in the community
• UK visa sponsorship eligibility considerations
• Appropriate UK professional registration
• Note: HPFT is an Outstanding provider according to the Care Quality Commission

About HPFT

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission. Our family of over 4,500 staff provide health and social care across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering services within the community and inpatient settings. Our values are welcoming, kind, positive, respectful and professional, with a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.