Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job overview

**1 x Fixed Term contract/secondment opportunity for up to 10months**

*Internal applicants who wish to be considered for a secondment opportunity should discuss with their line manager the suitability of a possible secondment*

Are you a highly motivated Speech and Language Therapist looking for a new challenge in a supportive environment? We have a great opportunity for an enthusiastic speech and language therapist to join our team  in Gloucestershire on a fixed term contract to cover maternity leaves in our acute stroke services. The fixed term post is covering 1.0wte in the stroke, the HASU and ASU wards in Cheltenham General Hospital. It is a great chance to further develop your skills in an acute MDT supported by a strong team of SLTs.

Our countywide adult SLT team provides input to a range of specialities (including respiratory, neurosciences, acute frailty, head and neck cancer, brain injury, stroke and critical care). We are a friendly, dynamic  team with a strong focus on quality service development. Our Band 6s have regular supervision including peer supervision sessions, and opportunities to develop specialist skills including those in FEES, VFS, and tracheostomy.

If this sounds like an opportunity for you please see our ‘about us pack’ or get in touch, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

The post is suitable for an experienced Band 5 therapist or an established Band 6 therapist with a passion to develop and use their competencies in communication and dysphagia in these areas. We welcome applicants who wish to discuss full-time, part-time, flexible working patterns, and those wishing to return to Speech and Language Therapy practice.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to manage a shared caseload of patients with communication and swallowing disorders. You will carry out relevant assessments, and create and implement individualised management plans, ensuring that these are monitored and modified as required. You will be working alongside a supportive team of experienced Speech and Language Therapy colleagues and work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues.

In return we offer:

A friendly and supportive working environment with a strong emphasis on continuing professional development through access to external courses, specialist clinical support, sharing good practice and effective team working including team away days to promote dynamic and quality assured practice,.

Opportunities to take part in research and quality improvement projects with support from the Trust Quality Improvement programme.

We have strong links with Universities and a commitment to student education.

The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To provide Specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults in Gloucestershire focussing on the hyper acute and acute stroke wards at Cheltenham General Hospital. This may include patients with acquired communication, voice and swallowing disorders
• To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate seeking guidance from team leads as required
• To supervise Speech and Language Therapy assistants or newly qualified SLTs
• To work autonomously within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) policies and professional practice maintaining accurate and comprehensive electronic records
• To participate in service improvement projects as indicated