Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Band 6

We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic and passionate Speech and Language Therapist to join our expanding Bexley Community Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team. The post holder will work with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders in the community and be a part of the development of dysfluency and voice disorder outpatient service. If you have a special interest in any of these areas, then this is the perfect opportunity for you to develop as a Speech and Language Therapist. Our service actively encourages ongoing professional development, and we will offer you regular clinical supervision and access to relevant courses.

We have access to videofluoroscopy and FEES at the local acute care hospitals, and we can carry out instrumental assessments as needed for our clients. Experience working independently in assessing and treating people with dysphagia is essential for this role. Experience of videofluoroscopy/FEES would be an advantage however full training and support will be provided.

The role sits alongside the Bexley Community Neurorehabilitation team, with their own team of Specialist Neuro Speech and Language Therapists and there will be the opportunity for working across the community with non-neuro and neuro caseloads.

Main duties of the job

You will be providing specialist assessment, rehabilitation, and advice for individuals with swallowing and communication difficulties. It is a community-based service for residents living in the London Borough of Bexley, in a location that suits their rehabilitation need, which includes their place of residence (home or care homes), day centres, outpatient clinics or place of work.

You will get the opportunity to be a part of service innovation and quality improvement projects.

The service can be provided from 08:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. There is potential for weekend working in the future of this service.

About us

Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,300 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children's centres, schools and people's homes.

We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England. In London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent. We manage hospital sites including Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital, Woolwich, as well as the Bracton Centre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are the largest NHS provider of prison health services providing healthcare to prisons within Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people.

Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values:

• We're Kind
• We're Fair
• We Listen
• We Care

Job description

Job responsibilities

• To provide specialist speech and language therapy input to clients with communication and swallowing impairments as part of the Bexley Community Speech and Language Therapy Team.
• To work as a lone and autonomous practitioner in the community.
• To work with dietitians, specialist teams like ENT, psychology, palliative care and other health and social care practitioners to manage those with long term conditions, voice disorders and dysfluency.
• To supervise therapy assistants, Speech & Language Therapy students, and Band 5 Speech & Language Therapists
• There may be the opportunity to set up and run speech and language therapist therapy groups for individuals with communication impairments and their significant others.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
• HCPC Registered
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Evidence of completed post-qualification dysphagia competencies

Desirable

• Membership of Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs)
• Evidence of successful completion of relevant specialist short courses

Experience

Essential

• Experience of undertaking risk assessment and risk management
• Experience of participating in a videofluoroscopy clinic
• Experience of working with dysphagia
• Experience of teaching others on speech and language therapy related topics
• Experience in a community setting

Desirable

• Experience of supervising assistants and students
• Experience organising and delivering therapy in group settings
• Experience and/or knowledge in dysfluency and voice disorders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Knowledge of the evidence base for effective treatment for adults with communication and swallowing disorders
• Established knowledge of relevant assessment tools and appropriate therapeutic interventions
• Ability to communicate complex information to others where there may be barriers to understanding
• Ability to work collaboratively within a variety of teams and across organisations

Desirable

• Experience of contributing to service development projects

Other

Essential

• Car owner/driver
• Current valid driving license for use in UK

Employer details

Employer name

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Mary's Hospital

Frognal Avenue

Sidcup

DA14 6LT

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

277-6603783-CPH