Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Band 6 Permanent - Full Time - 37.5 hours per week

Community Neurorehabilitation

We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic and passionate Speech and Language Therapist to join our expanding community team. This exciting opportunity has arisen due to new investment in the Bexley Community Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team, the post holder will work with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders.

The role sits within the Community Neurorehabilitation team, alongside a 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.

We have access to videofluoroscopy at the local acute care hospital, and independently 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 working in the community would be an advantage.

The successful applicant will be providing community assessment and therapy input to clients with diagnoses that include dementia, respiratory disease, and frailty. Our team strives to empower people to live independently and to improve their quality of life.

Our service actively encourages ongoing professional development. We offer regular clinical supervision and access to relevant courses to support you in developing your specialist interest.

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, or place of work. There may be opportunity for input into the Neurorehabilitation Speech and Language Therapy team, if there is sufficient clinical need. You will be providing specialist assessment, rehabilitation and advice for individuals with swallowing and communication difficulties.

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 specialist nurses and other health and social care practitioners to manage those with long term conditions.
• To supervise therapy assistants and Speech & Language Therapy students, and if required, 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 working in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of participating in a videofluoroscopy clinic
• Experience of working with dysphagia

Desirable

• Experience of teaching others on speech and language therapy related topics
• Experience in a community setting
• Experience of supervising assistants and students
• Experience organising and delivering therapy in group settings

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Essential

• Knowledge of the evidence base for effective treatment for adults with communication and swallowing disorders
• A sound knowledge of neurology and anatomy, speech and language pathology
• well established knowledge of relevant assessment tools and appropriate therapeutic interventions
• Negotiation and complex problem-solving skills
• Established analytical and reflective skills
• very good prioritisation and organisational skills
• Experience of contributing to service development projects
• Good IT skills for writing reports, emails, using RiO
• awareness and understanding of relevant policies, procedures and the principles of clinical governance
• Very good presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to communicate complex information to others where there may be barriers to understanding
• Demonstrates ability to be a good team member.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a variety of teams and across organisations
• Understanding the roles of other professionals (relevant to client group)

Desirable

• Knowledge of alternative and augmentative communication systems
• Experience of supervising student Speech and Language Therapists
• Experience acting as a mentor/supervisor to newly qualified therapist
• Adaptive to new systems and change
• Ability to undertake audit and implement results

Other Essential

• Car owner/driver
• Current valid driving license for use in UK
• Demonstrate a willingness to support service needs
• Agree to participate in weekend and evening work as rostered, if required

Personal Qualities Essential

• Self-motivated
• Physically fit to meet requirements of the post
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills, and ability to consider cultural diversity
• Able to reflect and appraise own performance
• Commitment to the principles of reablement and inclusion

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

277-4635697-CPH-D