Band 6 - Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Adult Acute - UCLH

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) are searching for a highly motivated and passionate Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join their experienced team on the Adult Acute ward.

UCLH is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom, and overseas.

Job Purpose:

This post is a full-time Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist post based at UCH. The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering a Specialist Speech and Language Therapy service to patients across general acute wards and under a variety of specialities, as assigned by the Clinical Lead.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain close association with staff within the adult acute team in order to facilitate and promote an integrated multidisciplinary service.
• Implement evidence-based practice by ensuring that current research findings are applied to Speech and Language Therapy practice within each service area.
• Follow and implement national and local policy relevant to speech and language therapy.
• To work collaboratively as a team player within the SLT team, escalating any concerns to senior therapists or the Team Lead as appropriate.
• To demonstrate specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of swallowing, language, and communication problems in adult clients within an acute setting, providing appropriate and evidence-based specialist intervention and evaluation of outcomes, and to maintain associated records as an autonomous practitioner.
• To demonstrate specialist clinical reasoning when taking a medical history, generation of clinical hypotheses, and referring patients for appropriate further assessment, including videofluoroscopy and FEES.
• To show evidence of specialist clinical decision making, through skilled selection and interpretation of assessments, through recommendations, and general sound clinical knowledge.
• To possess excellent communication skills, counselling skills, and empathy, which may be utilised both within the clinical role of an SLT and within the multi-disciplinary team. For example, as required when giving patients with communication difficulties and their carers information about a diagnosis which may be challenging for them to accept.
• To demonstrate good teamwork when working as part of the multi-disciplinary team and in liaising within a multi-agency environment. To possess good negotiation skills in working with other team members, carers, and other professionals
• To comply with RCSLT's and HCPC's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, this includes: the management of patients, use of equipment, and all written documentation.
• To reflect on clinical practice identifying strengths and needs/areas for improvement.
• To provide evidence of sound clinical judgements.
• To manage and prioritise a caseload with supervision as required, by seeking advice and guidance where needed.

Requirements:

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy (or equivalent)
• HCPC License to Practice in the area of Speech and Language Therapy.
• Evidence of working within the NHS.
• Successful completion of specialist post-graduate student relevant to communication (e.g., aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria) and swallowing disorders at MSc level or equivalent.
• Basic counselling skills.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience working in the area of dysphagia with adult patients.
• Previous experience in working in the adult acute setting.
• Proven experience of utilising a range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate swallowing and communication. disorders in an adult acute population at a specialist level.
• Proven experience at a specialist level of therapeutic interventions relevant to adults with acute acquired neurology, especially dysphagia demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches.
• Detailed knowledge of multi-disciplinary team approaches.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience working in the area of dysphagia with adult patients.
• Previous experience in working in the adult acute setting.
• Proven experience of utilising a range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate swallowing and communication. disorders in an adult acute population at a specialist level.
• Proven experience at a specialist level of therapeutic interventions relevant to adults with acute acquired neurology, especially dysphagia demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches.
• Detailed knowledge of multi-disciplinary team approaches.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate legislation affecting working practice e.g. Working with Vulnerable Adults, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding Adults and Children.
• Demonstration of effective management of change skills including the flexibility in approach to changes in patient and service needs.
• Effective time management and the ability to prioritise own workload with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• The ability to communicate complex, sensitive information.
• Advanced approaches to support clients & carers with challenging behaviour, mental health needs or those in high levels of distress.
• Competent IT skills.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• The ability to communicate complex, sensitive information.
• Advanced approaches to support clients & carers with challenging behaviour, mental health needs or those in high levels of distress.
• Competent IT skills.

We are so grateful for the commitment and focus of our Bank Staff, so in return we offer the following advantages:

• Access to free Bank Partners Core Skills training.
• Guaranteed line of work.
• Weekly pay.
• Competitive pay.

Apply now for this fantastic career-progressing opportunity by attaching your CV, and a member of our recruitment team will be in contact with you shortly.