Job summary
Southport Hospital has the exciting opportunity to advertise a Speech and Language Therapy post which will offer a stimulating and challenging role in the assessment and management of inpatients with dysphagia and who are recognised as living with frailty and ageing.
The successful candidate will join a growing, supportive, and innovative team of Speech and Language Therapists with a diverse set of skills, who take pride in offering the very best care for our patients. The SLT team is comprised of a consultant SLT, Highly Specialised SLTs, Specialised SLTs, Newly Qualified SLTs and SLT assistants.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will provide specialist assessment and management of patients living with frailty and ageing at any stage of their hospital journey, including A&E admission, during their inpatient stay, and assisting safe and timely discharge. This will include working alongside Frailty Practitioners, Medical Registrar and Consultants in Geriatrics.
You will have opportunities to develop skills in areas such as frailty/ elderly care, emergency medicine, respiratory medicine, and progressive neurological disorders, while working closely with SLT and MDT colleagues.
The post holder will independently provide a comprehensive specialist clinical service specifically to adults admitted who are living with frailty and ageing, and who have communication and swallowing disorders. They will provide training, direct, and indirect support to other professionals relating to communication and swallowing disorders and will participate in the development and implementation of care pathways, departmental policies, and protocols. The successful candidate will work across all inpatient wards and contribute to weekend working.
At Southport Hospital we hold regular Video fluoroscopy clinics and have implemented the MBSImP protocol. We also have an established FEES service. For the right candidate, there is potential for development opportunities in these areas.
About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our Services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
o Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2
o Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
To undertake specialist therapy assessment, clinically diagnose and implement
treatment plans for patients with dysphagia and communication disorders in a
manner that respects peoples privacy, dignity, and individuality.
To liaise with members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team and external agencies to
ensure the effective management of patients care, communicating patient
information in relation to their care as required.
Manage a clinical caseload ensuring patients are seen in a timely manner.
To ensure effective internal and external 2-way communication with patients,
carers and all other Health and Social Care Professionals regarding all aspects
of patient care.
To provide and receive complex information which requires empathy and
reassurance. Communicating where there may be barriers to understanding and
where skills such as motivational interviewing and counselling are required.
Able to formulate and implement individualised care plans, reviewing progress
and adapting as required.
To be involved in the production and evaluation of resources produced by the
department e.g. information and training packs, advice leaflets etc, providing
specialist advice.
To provide cover for leave and sickness to the clinical service as appropriate.
To be a member of the multi-disciplinary team and actively participate in M.D.T.
meetings.
To contribute to the development of departmental / organisational procedures
and guidelines.
Ensure the safe use of appropriate medical devices required to carry out
treatment in line with departmental procedures.
To participate in shift patterns to support the delivery of 6/7 day service as
Required.
To provide training sessions for other health care professionals and patient/carer
groups.
To work autonomously but recognise own limitations and when to escalate issues or refer to more senior therapist for advice and support.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
To develop and maintain accessible patient information, equipment, and resources to complement Rehabilitation.
To be responsible for the timely and accurate collection of such statistics / records
as are required nationally and departmentally and to ensure that confidentiality is
maintained.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
To develop knowledge and skills in specific therapy practice through a
competency based programme led by the team leader.
To develop knowledge and skills in specific therapy practice through a
competency based programme led by the team leader.
To participate in service training, keeping up to date with relevant practice and
maintaining CPD portfolio.
To identify own personal development needs with supervisor through supervision
and Personal Development Plans.
To actively contribute to Trust/Departmental activities in relation to Clinical
Governance and audit in service area as requested by clinical supervisor.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
To undertake specialist therapy assessment, clinically diagnose and implement
treatment plans for patients with dysphagia and communication disorders in a
manner that respects peoples privacy, dignity, and individuality.
To liaise with members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team and external agencies to
ensure the effective management of patients care, communicating patient
information in relation to their care as required.
Manage a clinical caseload ensuring patients are seen in a timely manner.
To ensure effective internal and external 2-way communication with patients,
carers and all other Health and Social Care Professionals regarding all aspects
of patient care.
To provide and receive complex information which requires empathy and
reassurance. Communicating where there may be barriers to understanding and
where skills such as motivational interviewing and counselling are required.
Able to formulate and implement individualised care plans, reviewing progress
and adapting as required.
To be involved in the production and evaluation of resources produced by the
department e.g. information and training packs, advice leaflets etc, providing
specialist advice.
To provide cover for leave and sickness to the clinical service as appropriate.
To be a member of the multi-disciplinary team and actively participate in M.D.T.
meetings.
To contribute to the development of departmental / organisational procedures
and guidelines.
Ensure the safe use of appropriate medical devices required to carry out
treatment in line with departmental procedures.
To participate in shift patterns to support the delivery of 6/7 day service as
Required.
To provide training sessions for other health care professionals and patient/carer
groups.
To work autonomously but recognise own limitations and when to escalate issues or refer to more senior therapist for advice and support.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
To develop and maintain accessible patient information, equipment, and resources to complement Rehabilitation.
To be responsible for the timely and accurate collection of such statistics / records
as are required nationally and departmentally and to ensure that confidentiality is
maintained.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
To develop knowledge and skills in specific therapy practice through a
competency based programme led by the team leader.
To develop knowledge and skills in specific therapy practice through a
competency based programme led by the team leader.
To participate in service training, keeping up to date with relevant practice and
maintaining CPD portfolio.
To identify own personal development needs with supervisor through supervision
and Personal Development Plans.
To actively contribute to Trust/Departmental activities in relation to Clinical
Governance and audit in service area as requested by clinical supervisor.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
- Post graduate dysphagia qualification
- HCPC Registered
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Previous demonstrable experience of working in a health, social or personal care setting as a Speech and Language Therapist with adults with a range of acquired communication and dysphagia disorders.
- Working knowledge of confidentiality and data protection procedures in relation to the recording of patient information
- Awareness of current NHS issues, National Policies and relevant frameworks/quality indicators
- Knowledge of evidence based practice and importance within clinical area.
- Experience of taking an active role within Multidisciplinary Team.
- Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance, and its application within Therapy
- Demonstrate commitment to your and others ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and maintenance of professional portfolio.
- Awareness of health and safety issues and reporting mechanisms
Desirable
- Basic competency in videofluoroscopic examinations and tracheostomy management.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage own time and work autonomously within clinical and non-clinical activity and to guide others using problem solving and decision making skills.
- Ability to maintain records, statistical and activity data according to service standards.
- Ability to encourage and motivate others by providing sound practical and realistic advice.
- Ability to demonstrate clinical reasoning and a holistic problem solving approach appropriate to experience within clinical area.
- Ability to manage own stress and awareness of stress in others
- To demonstrate tact/diplomacy and empathy within clinical settings
- Good interpersonal skills with effective written and verbal communication
- Effective teaching and presentation skills
- Ability to demonstrate assertiveness within clinical settings
- Ability to positively represent the Therapy Team within the Organisation
- Ability to demonstrate reflective practice
Other
Essential
- The post includes a combination of complex physical activities with duties being carried out in a variety of settings across the clinical sites
- The post holder will be required to work across sites including hospital / community settings
- To be able to carry out moving and handling with patients using equipment e.g. hoists, or use of specialist medical devices related to specialism
- The post holder will be required to use frequent concentration in assessing patients and devising care plans during the day.
- Conveying complex information in a comprehensible and practical way to clients, families and carers where there may be significant barriers to understanding.
- Prioritising clinical work responding to unpredictable demands on time e.g. responding to bleeps for urgent referrals
- The post holder will often have to overcome barriers to communication such as illiteracy, learning difficulties, hearing and sight impairment, language and may have to work with interpreters.
- Communication with and have direct contact with a wide variety of people, including health, social care and education professionals, patients, carers, the public.
- Daily involvement with chronically and terminally ill patients and their carers.
- The post holder will be exposed to sensitive, emotional and distressing circumstances, including terminally ill patients and abusive patients/carers.
- The post holder will be exposed to the working conditions associated clinical environment
- Routinely encounters unpleasant smells and sights, with possible exposure to bodily fluids including blood and sputum
- Ability to fulfill the travel requirements of the post
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
- Post graduate dysphagia qualification
- HCPC Registered
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Previous demonstrable experience of working in a health, social or personal care setting as a Speech and Language Therapist with adults with a range of acquired communication and dysphagia disorders.
- Working knowledge of confidentiality and data protection procedures in relation to the recording of patient information
- Awareness of current NHS issues, National Policies and relevant frameworks/quality indicators
- Knowledge of evidence based practice and importance within clinical area.
- Experience of taking an active role within Multidisciplinary Team.
- Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance, and its application within Therapy
- Demonstrate commitment to your and others ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and maintenance of professional portfolio.
- Awareness of health and safety issues and reporting mechanisms
Desirable
- Basic competency in videofluoroscopic examinations and tracheostomy management.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage own time and work autonomously within clinical and non-clinical activity and to guide others using problem solving and decision making skills.
- Ability to maintain records, statistical and activity data according to service standards.
- Ability to encourage and motivate others by providing sound practical and realistic advice.
- Ability to demonstrate clinical reasoning and a holistic problem solving approach appropriate to experience within clinical area.
- Ability to manage own stress and awareness of stress in others
- To demonstrate tact/diplomacy and empathy within clinical settings
- Good interpersonal skills with effective written and verbal communication
- Effective teaching and presentation skills
- Ability to demonstrate assertiveness within clinical settings
- Ability to positively represent the Therapy Team within the Organisation
- Ability to demonstrate reflective practice
Other
Essential
- The post includes a combination of complex physical activities with duties being carried out in a variety of settings across the clinical sites
- The post holder will be required to work across sites including hospital / community settings
- To be able to carry out moving and handling with patients using equipment e.g. hoists, or use of specialist medical devices related to specialism
- The post holder will be required to use frequent concentration in assessing patients and devising care plans during the day.
- Conveying complex information in a comprehensible and practical way to clients, families and carers where there may be significant barriers to understanding.
- Prioritising clinical work responding to unpredictable demands on time e.g. responding to bleeps for urgent referrals
- The post holder will often have to overcome barriers to communication such as illiteracy, learning difficulties, hearing and sight impairment, language and may have to work with interpreters.
- Communication with and have direct contact with a wide variety of people, including health, social care and education professionals, patients, carers, the public.
- Daily involvement with chronically and terminally ill patients and their carers.
- The post holder will be exposed to sensitive, emotional and distressing circumstances, including terminally ill patients and abusive patients/carers.
- The post holder will be exposed to the working conditions associated clinical environment
- Routinely encounters unpleasant smells and sights, with possible exposure to bodily fluids including blood and sputum
- Ability to fulfill the travel requirements of the post
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.
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 2, 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).
Additional information
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.
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 2, 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).
