There is an opportunity for a highly specialist Full Time Speech and Language Therapist within the Milton Keynes Adult SLT team. You will be working in our busy team of Acute Speech and Language Therapists in Milton Keynes University Hospital, primarily on the Acute Stroke Unit, but also supporting across the whole of the hospital population.

We aim to meet the needs of the service while recognising that therapists may benefit from a broad range of experience, and therefore there will also be opportunities to work in other clinical areas within Milton Keynes Hospital and closely with colleagues in the community SLT team.

Main duties of the job

To work as a highly specialist member of an acute multi-disciplinary team delivering a service to adults who have had a stroke, and across the acute inpatient population as demand requires

Acts as lead clinician for the SLT service within the MKUH Acute Stroke Unit MDT, by identifying, implementing, and monitoring service development in this field, working closely with the team leads and service manager

Provides highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and appropriate speech & language therapy for adults with a range of highly complex eating, drinking, swallowing and communication difficulties.

About us

We are a friendly, supportive, and innovative team of therapists, and an associate practitioner, who are passionate about delivering high quality speech and language therapy where and when it is most required. We are lucky to be able to work within a variety of multidisciplinary teams, and also maintain close links as a Speech and Language Therapy team.

We will offer

• Regular supervision and clinical discussion forums
• Internal/external training as appropriate to role
• Annual appraisal with personal development plans
• Access to excellent administrative support

Job description

Job responsibilities

Principle responsibilities

• To monitor and develop provision of the SLT service within the ASU MDT team and be an advisor for stroke across the Acute Adult SLT service.
• To monitor and lead on the training and supervision of other SLTs who are developing their skills in working with stroke.
• To undertake other duties, as requested by the line manager to ensure the efficient, effective running of the SLT Service.

Clinical Duties

• To assess, diagnose, treat and manage independently a highly complex and diverse dysphagia caseload, using instrumental measures (videofluoroscopy, FEES, sEMG) where appropriate, undertaking training in these where necessary. To assess, diagnose, treat and manage independently a complex and diverse caseload of people with speech, language and communication difficulties
• To work as an influential and effective member of the Speech and Language Therapy team.
• To participate in inter-disciplinary assessment of clients and carers needs and priorities.
• To provide information and highly specialist advice to clients, carers and professionals.
• To ensure clients are involved in the planning and prioritization of their care plans across the service.
• To participate in multi-disciplinary planning of intervention / management to meet clients identified goals.
• To provide highly specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes.
• To write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge.
• To negotiate with other professionals, families and carers around case management in complex cases.
• To adapt practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
• To use and promote the use of evidence based practice across the S& LT Service.
• To deal skillfully with complex issues and generate appropriate strategies for caseload management of self and others.
• To provide second opinions on request for complex clinical cases across the adult SLT service.
• To provide appropriate support and supervision to other therapists across the adult SLT service.

Professional

To ensure new national and professional clinical guidance relevant to the work with the client group and clinical specialism are evaluated and identified actions implemented.

To undertake and promote the evaluation of new research, evidence and equipment that relates to the specialism.

To develop care protocols / packages relating to client group / specialism.

To participate in and ensure the development, marketing and delivery of training programmes that enhance the knowledge and skills of clients, carers and other professionals.

To provide specialist training and presentations in areas of clinical expertise to other professionals.

To ensure the service provides an equitable, timely and comprehensive range of interventions.

To participate in and ensure the development of high quality and accessible information for service users.

To provide service related information and specialist clinical advice on request from Managers and relevant external agencies.

To engage in regular supervision and undertake an annual appraisal.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Registered with Health and Care Professions Council
• Advanced training and/or experiential training in acquired communication and swallowing disorders
• Evidence of specific interest and development of highly specialist skills, or a commitment to develop these skills

Desirable

• Successful completion of management/leadership short courses and/or evidence of skills obtained through experience

Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience in field of acquired communication and swallowing disorders
• Ability to work in pressurised environment
• Supervising/coaching less experienced staff
• Developing and delivering training
• Contributing to policy, planning and service development
• Ability to carry out videofluoroscopy

Desirable

• Ability to carry out FEES and work with tracheostomy
• Specialist post in acute stroke rehabilitation

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses up to Masters degree or equivalent experience
• Specialist training and/or experience in managing dysphagia, in line with RCSLT competency framework

Desirable

• Membership of relevant CEN

Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Milton Keynes Adult SLT Department

Milton Keynes University Hospital

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

333-D-MK-CM-1077-A