We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced speech and language therapist to lead the speech and language therapy services for adults with learning disabilities in the London borough of Harrow. We welcome and encourage applications from band 7 applicants, or band 6 with experience looking to progress to band 7.

Virtual Hybrid Working can be considered depending upon the needs of the service.

This is a rare opportunity to take the lead in the development of a safe and efficient speech and language therapy service for adults with learning disabilities. This dynamic role require strong skills in leadership and innovation, in addition to previous experience of service development and delivery. We are looking for applicants who have a passion and commitment to working with people with Learning Disabilities and their carers.

Harrow is a vibrant, multicultural area and is very easily accessible from central London on the Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines, taking around 25 minutes (Harrow).

Opportunity to work virtually for 2.5 days.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Main duties of the job

As the local lead for Speech and Language Therapy within the Learning Disability Team in Harrow, you would be responsible for the development and oversight of SLT clinical pathways, supervising and training junior clinicians, in addition to managing a diverse and wide-ranging clinical caseload. As a part of the multi-disciplinary team you would provide advice and support to colleagues working with people with learning disabilities across the MDT and neighbouring services.

Candidates should have extensive experience of autonomously managing both dysphagia and communication caseloads. Relevant experience of service development and working as part of a multidisciplinary team is also required. Ideal candidates would preferably have some experience of working with adults with learning disabilities, though we would welcome applications from experienced therapists from other clinical areas who have a genuine interest in learning disabilities and are looking to develop their skills in this area. You would receive regular supervision and support from the Speech and Language Therapy Professional Lead in Learning Disabilities within CNWL, in addition to peer supervision with other LD SLT team leads in Brent, Hillingdon and Milton Keynes.

Band 6 appointees will be supported to progress to band 7 level through an agreed developmental framework which will be overseen and agreed with the band 8a professional lead for learning disabilities, and the Harrow community team manager.

About us

Come and join us and be one of the 1500 Therapists / AHP's in CNWL. We work in many different teams in both physical and mental health, as well as many specialist areas. You could have a career for life with us.

Personal and professional development is a high priority for the profession this enables us to invest in the development of our staff by providing excellent internal training as well as commissioning specialised external training and providing quality supervision. This ensures all our therapists / AHP's reach their full potential at every stage of their career. Our commitment to research, audit and evidence-based practice is made possible by our strong links with local universities and our CNWL AHP Research Network.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are a priority for us in CNWL we expect staff to be culturally competent, reflective and open to culturally diverse CPD opportunities. We are working hard to support the recruitment and development of staff from all protected characteristics and welcome applications from any interested applicants.

Band 6 and 7 staff enrich teams and the service with their managerial and clinical expertise. We recognise this and therefore view them as staff we are committed to fully supporting in their clinical and managerial development. There will be opportunities to lead on trust wide projects, shadow senior managers and become a clinical specialist through an ACP programme or advanced training.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be highly skilled in the delivery of assessment, advice and intervention around communication and dysphagia for people referred to the service, their families and wider support systems. They will independently manage their clinical caseload and have excellent clinical governance skills.

As the local lead, you would be responsible for managing all SLT referrals to the team, including appropriate triage and allocation within the timelines outlined by the service. You will also be responsible for ensuring safe service delivery and caseload management across the SLT service, and will provide regular supervision to more junior colleagues. There will also be opportunity for recruitment and interview experience for vacant SLT posts within the team.

We are committed to supporting continued development of clinical specialisms in areas of interest relevant to this post e.g. autism, dementia, dysphagia, AAC, mental health, positive behaviour support etc. There is also scope for shadowing and training opportunities across neighbouring services including acute SLT services at local Hospitals and Adult Community SLT services. You will be expected to contribute to the development of the wider community learning disability service, including input to new clinical pathways and Care Quality Improvement projects.

Please see job description for further details.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• 1.Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• 2.Registered with HCPC
• 3.Registered with RCSLT as a qualified practitioner
• 7.Post-graduate / intermediate dysphagia certification or relevant experience

Desirable

• 4.MSc or equivalent post graduate study and training in specialist area
• 5.Learning Disabilities, communication and dysphagia workshops and short courses
• 6.Membership of relevant Clinical Excellent Network or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Experience of carrying out highly specialist communication and swallowing assessments and intervention
• Experience and skills in working with people with complex health needs such as epilepsy, respiratory difficulties, postural needs and dementia
• Experience in participating in audit / research projects
• Experience of effective partnership working, with external providers and mainstream services in promoting socially inclusive opportunities for service users
• Experience in leading and/or developing a service/component of a service

Desirable

• Significant post qualification experience in working with adults with learning disabilities
• Knowledge of the Positive Behaviour Support Framework
• Experience and skills in working with people with behaviour that challenges

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Essential

• Highly developed skills in the assessment and management of complex dysphagia
• Knowledge and skills in using a range of communication assessment tools relevant to the client group
• Skills in using a variety of communication interventions including high and low tech visual communication aids, Makaton signs, Intensive Interaction
• Ability to work autonomously, on own initiative and under pressure to meet deadlines & to make and action decisions independently within agreed time frames
• Computer skills (ECDL) to be able to complete electronic patient records such as Systm One, reports and presentations as appropriate to role
• Ability to deal with sensitivities and complexities, using interpersonal skills
• Effective leadership skills through the management of designated projects, audits and research
• Ability to implement a range of therapy outcome measures, evaluate outcomes and apply to service improvement
• Skills in supervising others including SLT students
• Excellent organisational skills to manage the demands of the role, including prioritisation of workload, delegation skills
• Knowledge and application of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures

Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Northwick Park Hospital Mental Health Unit

Harrow

HA1 3UJ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

333-J-HA-0595-A