Speech & Language Therapist - Adult Acute

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and proactive Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) who exemplifies our Trust values to become part of our friendly and supportive Adult Acute Speech and Language Therapy Department. The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust service is responsible for the delivery of a high quality, evidence-based service to patients.

The post-holder will be based within the Adult Acute Service. The service works across the acute inpatient wards covering a range of specialisms including acute and specialist medicine, cancer, surgery, neurosurgery, critical care and private patients. They will work as an integrated member of the multidisciplinary teams providing assessment, diagnosis and management to adult acute patients. The role is primarily based on the Charing Cross Hospital site, with cross-site working if/as required by service needs.

As a member of a large and diverse SLT department, the post-holder will benefit both from exposure to a range of expert clinicians and from the robust clinical supervision and continuing professional development structures we have in place. If required, the post holder would initially work through their newly qualified practitioner competencies, and then continue to gain wider clinical experience and skills in patient assessment, intervention and general caseload management. The post holder will participate in team, service and multidisciplinary quality improvement initiatives.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a high quality speech and language therapy service to adult inpatients on CXH site across a range of wards and specialisms including Acute Medicine, respiratory, neuro-surgery, neurology and Medicine for the Elderly.
• To autonomously manage a delegated caseload of acute patients with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties arising from various medical, surgical and neurological aetiologies. This will include assessment, diagnosis including differential diagnosis, treatment and advice to patients and their carers.
• To work with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to provide a coordinated therapy programme for each patient, contributing to patient-centred goal planning.
• To liaise with MDT members in community settings in the management of individual cases.
• To participate in continuing professional development activities and demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with their supervisor and mentors, and identify own strengths and development needs.
• To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures.
• To actively contribute to the development of the SLT services at CXH and the wider SLT department across the Trust. This will include participating in clinical governance activities and the delivery of training to the MDT.

Working for our organisation

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career. Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews, please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree accredited by Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Current HCPC registration as a speech & language therapist
• Professional portfolio demonstrating experience and achievements

Desirable criteria

• Registration with RCSLT

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders in an acute hospital and/or rehabilitation setting
• Experience of providing speech & language therapy assessment and treatment to patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Exposure to activities underpinning clinical governance agenda (audit/quality improvement)

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate experience of working as a speech & language therapist with adults in an acute and/or rehabilitation setting
• Experience of working within the NHS
• Competence in independent assessment and management of acquired disorders of swallowing

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment
• Ability to negotiate with patient/carer/MDT around individual case management
• Ability to manage time and workload effectively with support
• Competent in basic computer skills and common programmes i.e. Word, Outlook, internet searches, Excel, Powerpoint
• Excellent presentation skills, written and verbal

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on

We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with general data protection regulation (GDPR).

Vacancy Closing Date

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please ensure you check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process. If you are shortlisted you will be contacted by email and text message (if you provide a mobile contact number).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Application numbers

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.