Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The 0.85 WTE Speech and Language Therapist will be a senior member of the Adult Community Rehabilitation Team (ACRT), working within a specialist interdisciplinary team including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, clinical and neuropsychology, rehabilitation support workers and administrators.

The post holder will lead and coordinate speech and language therapy provision within ACRT and contribute to leadership of the wider SLT service. The caseload includes acquired and cognitive communication disorders, dysarthria, aphasia, progressive neurological conditions and dysphagia.

Working autonomously, the post holder will provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practice. They will work across health, social care, primary care and voluntary sector services to support coordinated, person centred rehabilitation and neighbourhood models of care.

The role includes clinical leadership, supervision, service development, audit, education, quality improvement, workforce development and digital transformation to improve care coordination, outcomes and access to rehabilitation.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and coordinate the provision of highly specialist speech and language therapy services within the Adult Community Rehabilitation Team (ACRT).
• Manage a complex caseload of adults with neurological and long term conditions, including communication, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders.
• Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and intervention, using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practice.
• Act as a clinical specialist in complex dysphagia management, videofluoroscopy and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
• Provide expert advice, consultation and second opinions to colleagues, multidisciplinary teams and partner agencies.
• Lead service development, quality improvement, audit, outcome measurement and implementation of innovative models of care.
• Contribute to integrated neighbourhood working and multidisciplinary meetings to support coordinated, person centred care.
• Supervise, develop and appraise staff and students, and provide education, training and leadership within the speech and language therapy service and wider multidisciplinary team.

Benefits The Trust offers a range of benefits, including a great range of staff benefits and a well-regarded nursing community.

Person Specification

• Degree level or equivalent Speech & Language Therapy Qualification recognised by the RCSLT e.g. degree, PGDip, MSc
• HCPC registration
• Postgraduate training in dysphagia
• Able to independently manage clinical caseload and prioritise as required
• Ability to work autonomously
• Demonstrates ability to manage provision of speech & language therapy service within the team
• Ability to assess, diagnose and treat clients presenting with communication / swallowing problems due to a long-term condition with complex and challenging behaviour