We are looking for a highly motivated Speech and Language Therapist to be part of the Specialist Learning Disability service in Swindon. We provide specialist provision in the community for adults with a Learning Disability. The service is integrated with an autism diagnostic service.

You will hold your own community SALT caseload, including communication and dysphagia assessments (training provided), as well as providing advice and support to the team around communication. You will be a part of a professional, multi-disciplinary team that values a holistic approach to care and understands the need to share and support each other professionally. You will also belong to AWP's network of SALT's and have opportunities to support service development.

You will use your core skills to work with those with complex health needs, by improving function and access to opportunities in the community, by supporting Carers and other support staff to promote social inclusion, liaising closely with generic services.

This is a great opportunity for you to share your passion, knowledge and professional skillset. So if you are seeking to develop your specialist role, because you have excellent clinical skills and you are ambitious to progress your career to transform the lives of people with a learning disability, then apply for this role.

Main duties of the job

• Provision of highly specialist SLT assessment, working collaboratively with the patient and their clinical team towards shared treatment goals
• To communicate within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Provide information, support and training to service users, families, carers and multidisciplinary team members.
• Communicates findings from assessments effectively to service users, families and carers.
• Interface with a range of health and other statutory and voluntary agencies for the benefit of clients.
• Be able to effectively communicate the role and values of the SaLT service in a variety of situations
• Give advice on wider services in the Swindon locality, which clients, families and carers can access for support.
• Adapt communication skills and use developed strategies to facilitate the needs of individuals who may have alternative communication needs and who present with physical, cognitive, speech, language or sensory impairments.
• Use therapeutic skills in negotiating and motivating clients and carers to engage with intervention and to ensure their informed consent and involvement.
• Ensure that reports, letters and other information are produced in a format that is accessible to the recipient.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust)a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B& NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

You will enjoy the benefits of working in AWP, an NHS Trust that is committed to developing highly skilled workforce and actively encourages professional development opportunities. You will be encouraged and supported to participate in additional training and development activities.

You will also benefit from the generous NHS pension scheme and exclusive NHS discounts.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To work alone, (unless risks dictate otherwise) in a range of settings including service users homes, residential/nursing homes, day centres and the general community, to deliver Speech & Language Therapy to adults who have learning disabilities who often have additional complex mental and physical disabilities.
• To be responsible for day to day management of a caseload within own level of competence and professional and service parameters using evaluative thinking and evidence based practice.
• As a member of a multidisciplinary team, offer client focussed, S& LT diagnosis, assessment and interventions with clients and carers who have communication or swallowing disorders.
• To undertake, record and review thorough risk assessments relating to the service user and the environment in which work is taking place.
• To work with service users who may challenge emotionally, physically and verbally.
• To participate in and contribute to meetings relating to service users care, such as case coordination meetings and the Safeguarding Adults process.
• Monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness, using evidence based practice and outcome measurement.
• Provide S& LT advice within the multidisciplinary team setting.
• To use appropriate communication means to ensure that consent is obtained prior to all assessments and interventions.
• For those clients unable to provide consent, to act in their best interests and complete the Department of Health or local documentation prior to investigation or treatment.
• Refer clients on to a wide range of other services and agencies, liaising and working Collaboratively with them as necessary, with clients agreement and consent.

Person Specification

Shortlisting

Essential

• Relevant Qualification
• Experience post qualification

Desirable

• Experience in working with people with Learning Disabilities
• Dysphagia Trained

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Chatsworth House

Chatsworth House 6 Bath Road

Swindon

SN1 4BP

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

342-SS186-0923