We have an exciting and unique opportunity for an experienced and innovative Speech and Language Therapist, to provide clinical and professional leadership to our recently established in-patient mental health and forensic Speech and Language (SLT) provision.

You will work in close collaboration with the SLT team, other professionals and people living with mental health conditions, in leading the strategic development of SLT service across our in -patient mental health and forensic care groups.

This post will call upon your clinical and leadership abilities, as well as offer opportunities to develop and grow personally.

You will be joining a trust who are committed to developing and improving and values the role of SLT as part of our in-patient services provision. We are committed to providing the highest standard of assessment, treatment, and client centred and holistic care in a safe and therapeutic environment.

We pride ourselves on being an open and honest Trust, providing the best possible care to our service users across our sites. You will be well supported and encouraged to develop your clinical and professional competencies within a stimulating learning environment.

We are passionate about making our service a good place to work and supporting a work-life balance, so flexible working hours and agile working is supported where appropriate to the role. Please feel free to have an open discussion with us.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will demonstrate a high level of clinical and professional expertise in both communication and dysphagia, in relation to people with a wide range of mental health conditions including older age adults, working age adults and forensics populations.

The postholder will be a point of contact and consultation for the trust, as an expert in the field. Being involved in discussions with key partners, to ensure the service meets the needs to the local population and contractual targets.

You will join a supportive team and work closely with the wider MDT to support individuals.

The post holder will offer expert advice, support, and consultation to the wider SLT team. Particularly in relation to complex decision making, considering reasonable adjustments, and mitigating risks, whilst holding a small caseload of more complex need.

You will have substantive leadership experience and be able to provide high quality clinical and professional supervision to SLT staff working within mental health and forensic care groups.

You will be responsible for driving forward service improvement initiatives including clinical research/audit and training, having relevant experience of undertaking such activities.

We actively welcome any prospective applicants to make contact to discuss the role further. Please contact Komal.shires@swyt.nhs.uk/ alison.clements@swyt.nhs.uk

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The postholder will have highly specialised clinical skills to be able to undertake the assessment, treatment and management of a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders for service users within in-patient mental health & forensic services where there are complex needs and situations. The post holder will lead the development and provision of the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services across mental health and forensic care groups, ensuring high quality, and effective clinical provision. You will be integral in transforming and leading high quality, person centred care across practice, service and professional boundaries. The postholder will be committed to embedding a research culture across the service.

Person Specification

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge of the areas of clinical practice.
• Ability to assess/ diagnose and manage communication and swallowing needs for this client group.
• Highly developed knowledge of best practise guidance, local and national policies relating to this care group.
• Ability to complete risk assessments and management plans.
• Excellent, adaptive / flexible written and verbal communication skills
• Effective use of interpersonal skills with a variety of people.
• Excellent skills of persuasion,
• motivation, influencing, negotiation, and problem solving.
• Knowledge of the roles and experience of related professions / agencies working with this client group.

Desirable

• Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence networks.
• Knowledge of the strategic direction of the Trust.
• Evidence of change management.

Training

Essential

• Clinical supervisor training.
• Substantial post graduate training at Masters level or equivalent relevant to the area of clinical practice. Evidenced through recognised short courses and via in-depth experience. Willingness to undertake Masters level training.
• Completion of leadership training or willingness to undertake.

Desirable

• Research training.
• Advanced dysphagia training.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent) in Speech and language therapy.
• HCPC registration.
• Accredited (or equivalent) Post Graduate Dysphagia qualification.

Desirable

• Masters qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Significant post graduate experience working as a SLT relevant to the area of clinical practice.
• Substantial experience in the assessment and management of dysphagia.
• Demonstrable portfolio of experience in leadership including recruitment and selection, clinical and managerial supervision and complex work planning ensuring equity of access across the client group.
• Experience of providing clinical supervision to SLT staff and students.
• Experience in coordinating, developing, and delivering training packages.
• Experience of undertaking research activities, service evaluations, audit, formal research.

Desirable

• Experience of leading successful service development and quality improvement initiatives.

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Personal Attributes

Essential

• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
• Ability to work flexibly including weekend, evening and Bank Holiday working.

Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Unity Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Ouchthorpe Lane

Wakefield

WF1 3SP

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9378-F0607