Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 6)
Salary grade: £38,341 – £50,569 per annum (dependent on experience)
Department/ward: Speech and Language Therapist
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 6) – Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability
Department: Speech and Language Therapy
Responsible to: Therapy Manager/Clinical Lead SLT
Salary range: £38,341 – £50,569 per annum (dependent on experience)
Incremental reviews take place on an annual basis
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Putney, Southwest London
Closing date: 29/05/24
Candidates applying for a role at the Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and Influenza.
Summary of position and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability
An opportunity has arisen for a motivated individual with proven clinical skills to join the Speech & Language Therapy team at the RHN. The post holder will be based initially in Continuing Care which delivers highly specialised care, rehabilitation and disability management to patients with a range of neurological conditions and complex disabilities. Continuing Care includes the following services: Neuro-Behavioural Rehabilitation Unit, Ventilator Unit, Young Adults Unit, Huntington’s Disease Unit and Specialist Nursing Home. There is the possibility of rotation onto our Level 1 Neuro-rehabilitation service.
The post holder will work within a multi-disciplinary team and have the opportunity to develop excellent knowledge and skills in:
- Assessment and management of communication impairments in adults with complex neuro-disability, including people with brain injury/progressive neurological conditions, and those with behaviours that challenge.
- Assessment and management of complex acquired dysphagia
- Assessment and management of people in a Disorder of Consciousness
- Long term tracheostomy management and weaning, plus working with ventilated patients
The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is one of the oldest independent hospitals and medical charities in the UK. Our vision for the future is that we will be the national centre of excellence for neuro-disability. Our mission is to provide outstanding care and empowering individuals with neuro-disability, enabling them to live their lives to their fullest potential in accordance with their wishes.
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent; Health Care Professions Council license to practice; Certified member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
- Specialist post graduate dysphagia training/ qualification.
Desirable
- Post graduate training in tracheostomy assessment and management
Experience
Essential
- Specialist clinical skills including knowledge and use of a wide range of assessments, diagnosis, evidence-based intervention and evaluation methods to support best practice.
- The ability to communicate complex, sensitive information and manage the emotional consequences of working with patients with a range of swallowing and communication impairments.
- Knowledge of instrumental swallowing tools to assist in assessment and management of patients presenting with dysphagia.
- Demonstrable ability for team-working.
- Competent IT skills.
- Proven experience of specialist range of therapeutic interventions in relevant field, demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches including selecting, setting & evaluating specialist treatment goals.
- Good team member able to assume leadership responsibilities.
RHN is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer that respects and values the differences of our people to achieve their full potential.
- To be responsible for the communication and swallowing needs of a designated specialist clinical caseload, including tracheostomies.
- To provide a clinical support role, advice and support to health care staff, SLT Technical Instructors, volunteers and clinical supervision to SLT students
- To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to patients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions via attendance at multidisciplinary meetings, rehabilitation goal setting meetings and case conferences as required to enable a co-ordinated care plan.
- To demonstrate the ability to identify own strengths and development needs and reflect on practice with peers/ supervisor/ Professional Lead SLT
- To participate in service development projects within the speech and language and multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrate an awareness of RHN’s objectives and contribute to achieving them appropriately.
- Strive to improve efficiency in all areas of your work.
- To provide a specialist SLT service consisting of assessment, differential diagnosis, interpretation, treatment, management and evaluation of outcomes of adults with complex neuro-disability resulting in complex communication and swallowing disorders including use of assistive technology where indicated, and tracheostomy
- To be responsible for managing own specialist caseload within clinical specialisms, accessing support from senior staff when needed, providing a flexible and prioritised specialist SLT service, targeting appropriate intervention where needed and evaluating outcomes.
- To devise and implement training for carers and family in aspects of management e.g. AAC, transitional oral feeding programmes.
- To make specialist clinical decisions following assessment, including referrals to other services, professions as appropriate e.g. FEES, videofluoroscopy, COMPASS
- To participate in providing cover across the SLT service as required.
- To maintain patient records in line with RHN Policy and standards and to comply with professional and departmental policies and training requirements.
- To work as an independent practitioner accessing the SLT department’s supervision system and seeking and maintaining peer support from other specialist practitioners, in line with clinical governance and professional guidelines.
- To provide clinical support to technical instructors
- To undertake MDT roles (patient chair, key therapist etc) as required by the Service Manager
- To have working knowledge of relevant guidelines and legal requirements for adults with complex neuro- disability and SLT provision e.g. Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty, safeguarding adults, Code of Practice etc.
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Candidates applying for a role at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability will be expected to have received their vaccination against the coronavirus strain (COVID-19) as part of our pre-employment process before commencing employment at the RHN. Please let us know if you have not managed to arrange to receive the vaccine via other channels yet, as we can arrange the administration of the vaccine within the hospital. Please note that if you have a medical reason as to why you are not able to have the vaccine or you have any questions on the vaccination, please feel free to contact recruitment@rhn.org.uk.