Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist (XR07)

Job summary

Expected Shortlisting Date :

07 / 01 / 2024

Planned Interview Date :

15 / 01 / 2025

Due to Ockenden funding for our service, we are looking to recruit a dynamic, motivated Band 7 Specialist Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist ( capable of providing high quality input across Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust Acute, supporting infants and families on our neonatal units, working within the model of family integrated care. This cross-site post will cover the twin sites of Leeds Childrens Hospital and St James University Hospital. The post will provide an excellent opportunity to develop skills as a core member of the Neonatal MDT, serving the population of Leeds and the Yorkshire region. The post holder will work alongside our already established clinical lead as part of the specialist neonatal service, providing continuation and development of the SLT service for our busy NICU, SCBU and neonatal services.

Opportunities to develop within areas of research and service development are also available

Main duties of the job

To fulfil the role of a Highly Specialist Neonatal SLT, you will have experience of working at an advanced level in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of feeding and swallowing difficulties in Neonates as part of a multidisciplinary team (working within / towards the RCSLT Neonatal competency Level C-D). You will be able to demonstrate highly developed skills in the assessment, treatment and management of complex dysphagia. This may include tracheostomy management and use of videofluoroscopy in conjunction with excellent inter-personal communication, organisational and team work skills and be able to show evidence of continued professional development.

You will carry a complex clinical caseload as well as helping coordinate service development, training, pre and post-operative assessments / treatments and transfer of care to local and regional level. You will be working closely with the Neonatal MDT, patients, families and relevant Health and Social Care teams ensuring compliance against clinical drivers and standards

About us

Leeds Childrens Hospital provides care across the region and is a well established teaching hospital. The fantastic work of Leeds Teaching Hospital has recently featured on Saving Lives in Leeds and it is one of the largest acute health providers in the UK. The hospitals offer specialities including Neurology, Neuro Rehab, Neonates, Cardio-Respiratory & Gastroenterology, respiratory and long term ventilation, critical care, surgical, oncology and haematology. The Hospital is based within one of the fastest growing cities in the North, in the thriving city centre of Leeds which has excellent transport links.

The post holder will join a highly supportive and innovative Adult and Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Service. The department offers comprehensive supervision in conjunction with a well established Continuing Professional Development program and access to regular staff meetings.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To assess differentially diagnose and manage complex communication and swallowing breakdown relating to a wide range of conditions. Utilise highly specialist knowledge in line with local policies / protocols and professional guidelines. Provide specialist second opinions on request to other health and social care professionals. Build links with allied agencies across primary and secondary care improving local and regional care pathways across in / outpatient settings.

Diagnose, assess, treat and manage complex communication, swallowing, cognitive and emotional impairments. Ensure all patients have opportunities to improve their swallowing / communication function and decrease reliance on enteral feeds and communication aids.

Develop a rehabilitation care pathway focussing on education, enablement and empowerment of service users and their carers.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

The post holder will :

Manage Highly Specialist caseloads ensuring their complex communication and swallowing needs are met safely.

Provide seamless pathway of care with locality services ensuring equitable citywide provision.

Manage local and regional complex caseloads.

Plan, coordinate and deliver medical education and training programs for health / social staff, patients, care providers, regional SLTs and students.

Act as patient advocate facilitating communication in order to secure compliance with Mental Capacity Act.

Audit caseloads and provision to measure value of input across this care pathway and evaluate alternative models of provision.

Optimise service provision by balancing provision between specialist Acute and Outpatient clinics.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• In-depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and evidence of highly specialist clinical expertise relevant to the specialism.
• Well established knowledge of RCSLT Professional and Clinical Guidelines / policies both locally and nationally in the specialism as well as relevant national strategy and drivers.
• Experience in conducting a range of assessments (VF preferred) to support diagnosis and management of patients presenting with complex dysphagia.
• Substantial SLT experience post qualification with significant experience working in the specialism of complex paediatric communication and feeding difficulties.
• Experience working at advanced level in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of the specialism.
• Experience in teaching competencies to less experienced Speech and Language Therapists.
• Experience in the provision of second opinions and advice to internal and external professional colleagues.
• Experience in delivering Communication and Swallowing training to SLT colleagues and other members of the MDT
• Experience of conducting clinical audit.

Desirable

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

Desirable

Other Criteria

Essential

Qualifications

Essential

Desirable