Do you have a passion for supporting patients with communication and swallowing difficulties in an acute setting?

Are you looking for a friendly and dynamic team to support you in taking your next career step?

Then look no further!

We are looking for a therapist who is keen to continue developing specialist skills and knowledge in managing adult inpatients with general medical, neurological and age-related conditions. Post-graduate dysphagia qualification or equivalent experience is essential. We run a weekly onsite videofluoroscopy clinic and also have a new FEES service.

You will be joining our large team of 28 speech and language therapists working across UHBW sites. We are a friendly and inclusive team, focused on delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for the communities we serve. We have a strong culture of support, development and leadership including:

• Support in accessing a wide range of training and CPD opportunities to ensure you flourish in your role
• A rolling in-service training programme with brilliant teaching from team members and multi-disciplinary colleagues
• Regular 1:1 and peer supervision
• Commitment to our flexi-time policy to support your work-life balance
• A wealth of wellbeing support and strong team spirit

Main duties of the job

• Demonstrate expertise in oropharyngeal dysphagia and communication difficulties in patients with progressive neurological, general medical and age-related conditions, and be responsible for managing a defined caseload
• Act as a source of expert, evidence-based information and support for SLT colleagues, healthcare professionals, staff and carers about the SLT issues of patients
• Plan and co-ordinate the content and delivery of education/training sessions to healthcare professionals

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

For more information on our team, please see: https://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/other-services-in-bristol/speech-and-language-therapy/

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Educated to degree or equivalent - SLT
• HCPC registered/RCSLT Member
• Post-graduate dysphagia qualification/ or equivalent experience
• Recent evidence of CPD in communication & swallowing problems in adults

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Recent experience of working with adults with dysphagia and communication difficulties
• Specialised knowledge & experienced of a wide range of therapeutic models of working with communication disorders & dysphagia
• Experience of working as core member of MDT
• Knowledge & experience of working with augmentative & assisted communication
• Experience of planning & implementing training to others & / or giving presentations

Desirable

• Experience using & interpreting videofluoroscopy & implementing findings into practice
• Experience using & interpreting FEES & implementing findings into practice
• Experience of supervising junior staff and students

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to review & reflect on own skills & knowledge, and to lead own CPD in conjunction with supervisors & peers
• Advanced dysphagia skills: Independent working with patients with complex dysphagia relating to a range of aetiologies in acute, outpatient or community settings
• Demonstrates highly developed auditory & perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis & treatment of adult patients
• Ability to recognise own professional boundaries & accept support/ seek advice as appropriate
• Knowledge of clinical governance & audit
• Competent Information Technology Skills, including use of MS office tools, Outlook, Word, Excel
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to challenge & influence members of MDT

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

Address

Weston General Hospital

Grange Road, Uphill

Weston-super-Mare

BS23 4TQ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

387-DT-5081-MF