The role of Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Mental Health at Whittington Hospital NHS Trust is a 12-month secondment opportunity targeting either a band 5 or 6 SLT with dysphagia experience and familiarity with dementia, autism, and mental health diagnoses. The position involves working within a small team at Goodinge Health Centre and making community visits to Highgate mental health wards. Key responsibilities include assessing, treating, and managing language and communication challenges in adults with mental health conditions, particularly those suffering from dementia, schizophrenia, and depression, as well as addressing eating, drinking, and swallowing issues.
The post holder is expected to apply specialist clinical expertise, develop knowledge in key areas such as dysphagia and AAC, and provide effective communication and support to clients, families, and multidisciplinary team members. Collaborative consultation with clinical supervisors is encouraged to enhance professional development in evidence-based practices and outcome measures.
This is a super 12 month secondment opportunity for a band 5 or 6 SLT who is keen to explore assessment and intervention in the clinical specialism of Mental Health.
The post holder must have dysphagia experience and some knowledge of dementia, autism and mental health diagnosis. The post holder will be well support in a small team of 3 therapist based in Goodinge Health Centre.
They will work in a community setting and some visits will be on highgate mental health wards.
Some of the main duties include:
- To demonstrate specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of language and communication problems in adults who have a mental health diagnosis particularly for adults with dementia, schizophrenia and depression.
- To demonstrate specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of eating, drinking and swallowing problems providing appropriate intervention and evaluating outcomes
- To demonstrate specialist knowledge in these clinical areas underpinned by current evidence based practice and outcome measures
- To develop knowledge and skill in dysphagia, Autism, mental health, AAC and dementia consulting with clinical supervisor as appropriate.
- To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of clients with communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties
- To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to clients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, demonstrating empathy and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist
About us
Please refer to the job description and job specification for more details about knowledge, skills and experience required for the role.