Job summary

If you are looking for a rare and exciting opportunity as a Clinical Lead Speech and language therapist in a NEW Community forensic learning disability service, this is the position for you.

The Forensic Services based at St Bernard's Hospital on the Ealing site in London are comprised of a number of specialist areas including Women's and Men's services at both low and medium security. The post holder will join an already established Occupational Therapy and AHP service.

You will be responsible for managing the referrals and subsequent caseload of service users requiring Speech and language therapy interventions.

We have a wider Allied Health Professions service comprising of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, activity coordinators and Recovery Support workers, Dieticians, SLT and Physiotherapists.

You will be supervised and supported by the Head of Occupational Therapy and AHP, Rehabilitation lead to monitor the speech and language needs of the service users and devise the best use of the available resource to this specific population.

As part of the recruitment package the successful candidate will be supported financially and with study time to attend the Sensory Integration Education's course for Advanced Practitioners in Sensory Integration in affiliation with Sheffield Hallam University.

Main duties of the job

You will carry a clinical caseload and have responsibilities to provide a range of individual and group activities that develop service user' skills and function in line with recovery principles and practice.

The post also offers an opportunity to develop both clinical and managerial skills. We would ensure that you receive the relevant training and support when you join the team as required.

We have clear clinical models and pathways for service users moving from our acute wards into rehabilitation and through into the community with occupational performance skills being central to the readiness for transition through each stage of a service user recovery.

You will be instrumental in ensuring service user's physical health is optimised and ensure they can benefit from the available treatment options.

As an AHP Service we have a strong commitment to CPD within the trust and provide a range of opportunities for staff with the expectation that learning is shared and clinical excellence is achieved. Our other AHP colleagues work very closely with us and joint work and learning is integral within the trust.

You will be working with OT and Rehab staff which will require leadership skills, mentoring and coaching. You will be involved in the teams teaching programme and also take students to develop and maintain the workforce of the future.

About us

Forensic services are interesting and challenging areas to develop a career in Speech and language therapy. We have a close knit team who are very supportive and have years of experience and expertise in this clinical area.

We have a wide range of services and facilitate cross service learning, teaching and development, within the trust. We provide a range of opportunities for staff with the expectation that learning is shared and clinical excellence is achieved. We have regular AHP forums, study days and learning lessons conferences.

Our working hours are Monday to Friday 8-4pm or 9-5pm. However, we recognise the need to be flexible and support both compressed hours, full time and part time hours, depending on the role and also school hours 10 till 2pm will be considered

As part of the interview process you may be offered other available posts within the trust. We are in close contact with other Heads of profession and an interview with forensics can ensure you are also made aware of other roles within the trust.

We expect and welcome informal enquiries and particularly visits to the service prior to interview. We consider this a key part of the process of understanding forensic services

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide a client-centred Speech and language therapy service to a defined caseload of service users, within forensic services working with multi-disciplinary team members and the occupational therapy team.

To actively develop and implement a framework of care, which reflects a holistic approach to service user needs, the is evidence based and clinically ethical.

To work under the supervision of a senior or head occupational therapist, to apply clinical skills in assessment, treatment planning, intervention and evaluation, which include individual and group orientated approaches.

To contribute to the evaluation and continued development of the AHP service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Intensive Interaction, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Post graduate training in clinical areas relevant to the post e.g. Makaton, Clinical Supervision, Talking Mats.
• RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Level D/EDSCF Level 6

Desirable

• Registered with Health and Care Professions Council & Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observations Schedule) assessment tool/equivalent ASD diagnostic assessment

Experience

Essential

• Assessment, mealtime management and therapeutic intervention of acute and chronic dysphagia
• Assessment and therapeutic intervention of speech, language and communication difficulties in an adult population (including geriatric population)
• At least 18 months' post qualification work experience
• Working independently with a dysphagia and communication caseload
• Clinical supervision of SLT students and junior SLTs

Desirable

• Experience in delivery of structured groups
• Experience of working with people with Mental Illness, learning disability or personality disorder and/or challenging behaviour
• Incorporation of Accessible Information Standard (AIS) criteria into clinical practice (similar to Easy English)

Knowledge

Essential

• To carry out and analyse both formal and informal assessments for people who have dysphagia, complex speech, language, social and communication needs
• Knowledge of up-to-date assessment tools and therapeutic interventions related to specialist area
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit

Desirable

• An awareness of relevant legislation e.g. Mental Health Act
• Understanding of risk assessment and restrictions associated with the service user's complex histories
• Skills in developing/delivering structured groups

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

222-SF-424-D