This exciting opportunity will enable the post holder to work within the Secure and Specialist Learning Disability Division based at Maghull Health Park. The post holder will work collaboratively with a range of professionals including Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Dietitians.

You will be part of an established Speech & Language Therapy Service on this site and will be involved in supporting the delivery of the Speech & Language clinical pathway to promote communication and safe eating and drinking amongst people who have learning disabilities/mental illness and complex profiles. You will support people to meet their health and social needs and to access mainstream health services.

You would be in receipt of a robust handover and receive the regular support of other band 7 Speech & Language Therapists across the division and from the senior leadership team.

As Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is a large organisation there may also be regular opportunities for additional bank work/overtime.

Shortlisting is planned for 8th August 2022

Interviews are planned for 18th August 2022

Main duties of the job

As the Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, you will be responsible for supporting the ongoing delivery of the Speech and Language Therapy service.

You will be expected to continue to raise the profile and value of Speech and Language Therapy and to educate staff and patients about the role.

You will be responsible for managing a clinical caseload involving the assessment and management of both dysphagia and communication difficulties. You will provide support to the wider MDT, represent Speech and Language Therapy in projects and meetings , and provide relevant training as required. You will offer communication interventions that support risk management and reducing restrictive practice . You will work collaboratively with professional colleagues to develop and deliver person-centred care. You will provide leadership and guidance about communication and dysphagia within the setting and supervise the workload of other Speech & Language Therapists in the team.

About us

Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 11 million people.

We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.

At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.

Job description Job responsibilities

As the Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, you will be responsible for managing a clinical caseload involving the assessment and management of dysphagia and communication difficulties with our patients . You will provide support to the wider MDT, represent Speech and Language Therapy in projects or meetings , and provide relevant training. You will offer interventions to support risk management, positive behaviour support plans and communication. You will work collaboratively with professional colleagues and provider services to deliver person-centred care. You will provide leadership and guidance on communication and dysphagia within the MDT, and to mainstream and provider services. You will supervise colleagues and SLTA.

Person Specification Criteria Essential

• oAccredited Speech and Language Therapy qualification (BSc)
• oReg. member of HCPC
• oExperience of carrying out specialist assessments and interventions
• oPost graduate training/qualification in Dysphagia
• oProven ability to work independently, prioritise and manage own complex caseload.
• oExperience of working with highly complex cases, such as progressive illness and rare conditions.

Desirable

• oReg. member of RCSLT
• oAdvanced level dysphagia training (masters level).
• oCervical auscultation training
• oAwareness of Total Communication
• oExperience of practice in a range of adult learning disabilities/mental health settings.
• oEvidence of postgraduate study.
• oExperience of supervision, appraisal and development of therapy staff and students.
• oKnowledge and experience of symbol software packages.

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

350-SELD4392997