Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (CAN)

Job summary

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a 12-month fixed term Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist of 0.93wte 34.9hrs to join our forwardthinking Childrens Speech and Language Therapy Service. This is a fantastic chance to develop your specialist skills while making a real difference to the lives of children and families across Sunderland and South Tyneside.

You will work with children with additional and complex needs, including those with autism and a wide range of communication challenges. Youll have the opportunity to deliver therapy across community, educational and specialist settings.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic therapist to become part of our wellestablished, needsled service. Our team is known for being dynamic, welcoming and highly supportive. We pride ourselves on strong supervision structures, excellent peer support and a genuine passion for innovation and development.

As part of our team, you will benefit from:

Outstanding CPD opportunities and encouragement to explore research, innovation and service development Regular supervision and access to experienced clinicians for guidance and support A collaborative, multidisciplinary environment with therapists and assistants Dedicated administrative and SLT Assistant support, allowing you to focus on delivering highquality care A service that values your ideas, your wellbeing and your professional growth

Main duties of the job

You will bring experience of working with children who have a broad range of speech, language, and communication needs, along with the ability to assess, plan, and deliver effective interventions across various settings. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as is a commitment to collaborative, multidisciplinary working to ensure the best possible outcomes for children. You will be welcomed and supported by our enthusiastic and skilled Speech and Language Therapy team.

You will join a progressive department that offers a range of specialist services and is dedicated to innovation, continuous improvement, and embedding research into everyday practice to enhance patient care. Developing and supporting our team is central to how we work.

You will be motivated to expand your skills across both mainstream and specialist environments. Your values will reflect those of our organisation, and you will be passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people.

For further information, please contact:

Nicola Johnson, Clinical Team Manager 0191 569 9122 Emma Bowen, Clinical Team Manager 0191 524 3599

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide a highly specialist and skilled speech and language therapy service to children with dysphagia (eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties) and a broad range of communication disorders including children who may require alternative or augmentative communication systems.

To promote positive outcomes and practice in this area of work.

To work with the SALT Manager in identifying and delivering service improvements and service developments to benefit patient care.

To work in multiple locations.

To provide delegated supervision to SLT staff and students

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• 1.Significant post-graduate training and experience equivalent to Masters Level, working as a qualified SALT with children and young people with a wide range of speech, language and communication disorders and experience in a specialist childrens role.
• 2.Experience and highly developed knowledge of a range of highly specialist clinical procedures and therapy techniques
• 3.Extensive experience in different styles of service delivery group therapy, individual therapy and consultancy
• 4.Experience of collaborative working practice with SALT and other professionals.
• 5.Experience of working within a variety of settings eg in patient acute, intermediate care, community rehabilitation.
• 6.Experience of planning, delivering, and evaluating training within the SALT department, and to other agencies including education, health, patients, carers, social services, private and voluntary sector.
• 7.Experience of participation in activities to support the clinical governance agenda e.g. carrying out audit projects.
• 8.Experience of working through others to deliver complex care plans in specialist area.
• 9.Comprehensive experience of planning, negotiating and setting specialist realistic, timed care plans/programmes, care aims and objectives.

Desirable

• Experience of working with children/infants with dysphagia

Physical Skills

Essential

• 1.Highly developed auditory and visual perceptual skills for assessment of speech, language and communication disorders
• 2.Safe and effective manual handling skills
• 3.Computer skills to maintain information systems, generate reports and produce teaching materials.
• 4.Ability to work on multiple demands at one time.
• 5.To be able to work with clients in a variety of environments to enable and support communication.
• 6.Ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of client's communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness
• 7.Ability to cope with frequent exposure to unpleasant/highly unpleasant working conditions e.g., bodily fluids, challenging behaviour
• 8.Ability to deal with anxious, hostile and distressed clients and families
• 9.Ability to carry out duties as a lone worker
• 10.Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post

Desirable

• Car driver/owner or access to mobility support

Qualifications

Essential

• 1.Degree in Speech and Language Pathology / Therapeutics or equivalent.
• 2.Registration with the Health Professionals Council (HPC).
• 3.Successful completion of a significant number of specialist short courses/self-study/training in the specialist area of work. Evidence of integration of this learning into clinical practice at a highly specialist level
• 4.Highly specialist knowledge of children with children with physical disability / medical needs in assessment, diagnosis, and therapy techniques with evidence of post-graduate qualification and training at an equivalent level eg Post registration Dysphagia, AAC, Autism, Hanen/Intensive Interaction
• 5.Highly specialist knowledge of a range of communication disorders in children and appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and intervention techniques with evidence of post-graduate qualification and / or training at an equivalent level.
• 6.Highly developed knowledge of current best practice in speech and language therapy provision to children and young people with a range of SLCNs and vulnerabilities.
• 7.Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures relevant to Education, Health and Care planning
• 8.Knowledge of relevant NICE guideline and policies relevant to specialist area.
• 9.An in-depth knowledge of the range of health, social service, voluntary and private agencies relevant to specialism
• 10.A working understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession and the associated code of ethics, including a commitment to non-discriminatory practice and compliance with data protection legislation.
• 11.Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
• 12.Knowledge of different learning styles and training in clinical supervision
• 13.Awareness of bilingual issues in speech and language therapy.
• 14.An in-depth working understanding of the structure, policies, priorities, and functioning of the NHS.

Desirable

• Highly specialist knowledge of a range of communication disorders in children/young people and appropriate assessment, diagnosis, and intervention techniques
• Membership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Advanced Dysphagia Modules
• Competencies in Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies
• Knowledge of tracheostomy in relation to speech and dysphagia
• Leadership/management training
• Knowledge of relevant local and national policies and procedures relevant to mental health

Skills

Essential

• 1.Highly developed communication skills (oral and written) enabling others to understand complex information and overcome barriers to understanding, up to level of Legal e.g. Tribunal.
• 2.Ability to carry out highly specialised assessment working with other professionals to make a differential diagnosis, prognosis, and management/intervention plan including eating, drinking and swallowing(dysphagia) and speech, language and communication including high and low tech Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) methods
• 3.Excellent time management, administrative, and organisational skills.
• 4.The ability to work autonomously and actively within a team, within codes of practice and professional guidelines.
• 5.Highly developed interpersonal skills to facilitate professional relationships with clients, carers, members of multi-disciplinary teams, and others.
• 6.Highly developed communication skills (oral and written) enabling others to understand complex information and overcome barriers to understanding.
• 7.Ability to carry out highly specialised assessment working with other professionals to make a differential diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention plan
• 8.Well-developed teaching, training, and presentation skills, to identify training needs, and devise and deliver training and education to other professionals and carers.
• 9.Highly tuned observational, investigative, and analytical skills enabling interpretation of verbal and non-verbal messages within the context of the clients overall needs.
• 10.Ability to frequently apply sustained and intense concentration when working with clients with severe and complex needs, to respond appropriately and record accurately.

Desirable

• Counselling skills, including the ability to empathise, convey complex and sensitive information, and deal with emotional and/or distressing circumstances via recommended training programme plus experience of advanced counselling skills for working with complex cases.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre

South Shields

NE34 8PS

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

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