This is an exciting opportunity for a Dysphagia qualified Speech and Language Therapist, with experience of independently managing a mental health Dysphagia caseload to work within a Forensic setting.

East London NHS Foundation Trust provides the regional forensic mental health service covering the boroughs of Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, City of London, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. The inpatient units consist of the John Howard Centre (medium secure) in Hackney, and Wolfson House (low secure) in the Finsbury Park area.

The service meets the specialist needs of mentally disordered offenders, the majority of whom are admitted via the criminal justice system. The Forensic Speech and Language Therapy team provides care for both the Dysphagia and Communication needs of this population.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for the assessment, differential diagnosis, development and implementation of specialist treatment plans for a caseload of adults with in a forensic setting, with swallowing / communication disorders.

To continually develop and evaluate clinical practices and achieve goals set for personal and professional development.

To identify, plan, deliver and evaluate specialist training.

To provide specialist clinical Dysphagia / communication support to other members of the clinical team, students and volunteers.

To work with wider clinical team to plan and facilitate provision of therapeutic groups / interventions on the ward.

To be involved in clinical governance / audit projects within the local service.

To independently manage and prioritise a specialist caseload of adults with learning disabilities and communication and / or dysphagia difficulties.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This job description, summary/purpose is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role and associated responsibilities.

To independently assess, diagnose and provide specialist treatment and advice to adults with mental health diagnoses with a range of swallowing / communication disorders within the Forensic Service.

To maintain appropriate records in line with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists guidelines.

To continually develop and evaluate clinical practice, and achieve goals set for personal and professional development.

To identify, plan, deliver and evaluate specialist training.

To provide specialist clinical support to other Speech and Language Therapists, assistants, students and volunteers.

To be involved in clinical governance/audit projects within local service.

To act as clinical resource in issues relating to the specialist area of people with a mental illness / learning disability/ Autism in a forensic setting.

To hold a specialist dysphagia caseload of adults in a forensic setting.

To assess and manage a dysphagia caseload, or work towards these competencies if required by the service.

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of professional and clinical work, working to agreed local, national, and professional standards.

In addition to this the post holder will provide specialist advice to the Trust and support the organisation through the provision of resources, training, and education.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

• oBSc in Speech and Language Therapy
• oRegistration with HCPC
• oMembership of RCSLT
• oPost Basic Dysphagia qualification

Desirable

• oRecognised qualifications in specialist areas relevant to the role
• oClinical Supervisory Skills training.
• oQuality improvement training

Experience

Essential

• o2 years post-qualification experience as a SaLT
• oExperience of holding an independent Dysphagia caseload
• oExperience in clinical governance activities

Desirable

• oPost qualification experience working with learning disabilities / ASD / mental health
• oParticipation in service / systems development
• oSupervision experience
• oSubstantial experience working within MDT teams
• oExperience working in forensic settings
• oExperience participating in Quality Improvement projects

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• oGood understanding of national strategy, guidance and key standards in own specialist area and their application in practice
• oSpecialist clinical knowledge in own area, particularly Communcation / dysphagia management
• oClinical Governance and its application in practice
• oSafeguarding and its application in practice.

Desirable

• oCare Programme Approach and its application in practice
• oResearch and Development Methodology
• oMental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act and their application in practice.

Employer details

Employer name

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

John Howard Centre, Centre for Forensic Mental Health

12 Kenworthy Road

Homerton

E95TD

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

363-FOR6687486