Are you passionate about supporting adult inpatients with communication and swallowing difficulties?

Are you wanting to explore a career pathway that includes research?

Then look no further!

We are excited to be advertising a clinical academic post for a therapist wanting to develop research skills alongside clinical work. You will be working as part of our friendly and inclusive team to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care for adult inpatients with general medical, neurological and age-related conditions. Your working week will comprise of four days carrying a clinical caseload and one day ring-fenced for developing research skills and contributing to research projects.

We run a weekly onsite VF clinic and FEES service.

You will be joining a large team of 31 SLTs working across UHBW sites. We have a strong culture of support, development and leadership including:

• Support in accessing a wide range of CPD opportunities
• A rolling in-service training programme with brilliant teaching from team members and MDT colleagues
• Regular 1:1 and peer supervision
• Commitment to our flexi-time policy to support work-life balance
• A wealth of wellbeing support and strong team spirit

Main duties of the job

• Providing evidence-based information and support relating to communication and swallowing difficulties
• Managing a caseload independently with the support and supervision of clinical leads
• Developing research skills and supporting research projects

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

• Educated to degree or equivalent - SLT
• HCPC registered/RCSLT Member
• Post-graduate dysphagia qualification or equivalent experience
• Recent evidence of CPD in communication & swallowing problems

Desirable

• RCSLT research champion
• RCSLT special advisor
• Active member of relevant clinical excellence network
• Post-graduate qualification in research
• Completion of Good Clinical Practice Certificate

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Recent experience of working with adults with dysphagia and communication difficulties
• Specialised knowledge & experienced of a wide range of therapeutic models of working with dysphagia and communication disorders
• Experience of working as core member of MDT
• Knowledge & experience of working with augmentative & assisted communication
• Experience of planning & implementing training to others & / or giving presentations
• Understanding of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement

Desirable

• Experience of supervising junior staff & students
• Experience using & interpreting videofluoroscopy & implementing findings into practice
• Experience using & interpreting FEES & implementing findings into practice
• Knowledge of a range of study designs and methodologies relevant to applied research in relevant health and social care settings
• Understands the value of stakeholder involvement (public, patient and clinical involvement/engagement) in the direction of research projects and priorities
• Knowledge of the legal requirements of research, including safeguarding
• Knowledge of current research leadership frameworks and approaches
• Experience working as a research SLT

Aptitudes

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively & sensitively with a wide range of people
• Ability to manage own time appropriately & to prioritise tasks
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to meet deadlines & work under pressure
• Enthusiasm for and desire to embed research within clinical practice

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Ability to review & reflect on own skills & knowledge, and to lead own CPD in conjunction with supervisors & peers
• Advanced dysphagia skills: Independent working with patients with complex dysphagia relating to a range of aetiologies in acute, outpatient or community settings
• Demonstrates highly developed auditory & perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis & treatment of adult patients
• Ability to recognise own professional boundaries & accept support/ seek advice as appropriate
• Knowledge of clinical governance & audit
• Competent Information Technology Skills, including use of MS office tools, Outlook, Word, Excel
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to challenge & influence members of MDT
• Ability to write reports with a focus on accuracy and meticulous attention to detail

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

Address

Weston General Hospital

Grange Rd, Uphill,

Weston-super-Mare

BS23 4TQ

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

387-DT-5233-LH