**1 x Fixed Term contract/secondment opportunity for up to 12months**

*Internal applicants who wish to be considered for a secondment opportunity should discuss with their line manager the suitability of a possible secondment*

Are you a highly motivated Speech and Language Therapist looking for a new challenge in a supportive environment? We have a great opportunity for an enthusiastic speech and language therapist to join our team in Gloucestershire on a fixed term contract to cover maternity leaves in our acute stroke services. The fixed term post is covering 1.0wte in the stroke, the HASU and ASU wards in Cheltenham General Hospital. It is a great chance to further develop your skills in an acute MDT supported by a strong team of SLTs.

Our countywide adult SLT team provides input to a range of specialities (including respiratory, neurosciences, acute frailty, head and neck cancer, brain injury, stroke and critical care). We are a friendly, dynamic team with a strong focus on quality service development. Our Band 6s have regular supervision including peer supervision sessions, and opportunities to develop specialist skills including those in FEES, VFS, and tracheostomy.

If this sounds like an opportunity for you please see our 'about us pack' or get in touch, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

The post is suitable for an experienced Band 5 therapist or an established Band 6 therapist with a passion to develop and use their competencies in communication and dysphagia in these areas. We welcome applicants who wish to discuss full-time, part-time, flexible working patterns, and those wishing to return to Speech and Language Therapy practice.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to manage a shared caseload of patients with communication and swallowing disorders. You will carry out relevant assessments, and create and implement individualised management plans, ensuring that these are monitored and modified as required. You will be working alongside a supportive team of experienced Speech and Language Therapy colleagues and work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues.

In return we offer:

A friendly and supportive working environment with a strong emphasis on continuing professional development through access to external courses, specialist clinical support, sharing good practice and effective team working including team away days to promote dynamic and quality assured practice,.

Opportunities to take part in research and quality improvement projects with support from the Trust Quality Improvement programme.

We have strong links with Universities and a commitment to student education.

The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.

About us

We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.

The annual NHS Staff Survey gives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that:

• 89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users
• 73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work
• 82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority
• 76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative

Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide Specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults in Gloucestershire focussing on the hyper acute and acute stroke wards at Cheltenham General Hospital. This may include patients with acquired communication, voice and swallowing disorders

To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate seeking guidance from team leads as required

To supervise Speech and Language Therapy assistants or newly qualified SLTs

To work autonomously within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) policies and professional practice maintaining accurate and comprehensive electronic records

To participate in service improvement projects as indicated

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists degree level qualification
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Post Graduate Dysphagia Training/competencies

Length and/or nature of experience

Essential

• Experience in managing patients with communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of acquired disorders.
• Working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and with other professionals.

Professional/Managerial/Specialist Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to identify own professional development needs and develop a professional portfolio within the appraisal framework, including specific objectives
• Skill in independent selection of appropriate strategies for prioritisation and management of a complex caseload.
• Specialist skills in differential diagnosis and targeting of clinical interventions
• Ability to demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including skilled and professional recognition of communication barriers/facilitation
• Ability to effectively manage own caseload
• Negotiation skills for management of conflict across a range of situations
• Ability to employ appropriate strategies to manage aggressive or other inappropriate behaviour within the workplace
• Experience of presenting to a wide range of audiences
• Knowledge of a broad range of specialist formal and informal assessment methods and their interpretation

Desirable

• A baseline knowledge and understanding of the specific counselling required for the specialist area
• Demonstration of specialist knowledge in clinical specialism underpinned by current evidence based practice

Personal skill, abilities and attributes

Essential

• Approachable and flexible
• Good communication skills (written and verbal)
• Be able to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively
• Recognise personal limitations and to seek support when required
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to assimilate new concepts and approaches to care
• Ability to engage positively with service users
• Ability to work effectively as a team member
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, eg Word, Excel, Powerpoint and outlook

Other Requirements

Essential

• Ability to work flexibly across the Trust and participate in video consultations as required
• Able to attend and participate in all mandatory and statutory training events

Desirable

• Ability to travel around the county as requested, independently and efficiently

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General

Sandford Road

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

327-24-820