Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

at  East London NHS Foundation Trust

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to join the Newham Community Neuro Service, based at East Ham Care Centre. The Community Neuro Service provides assessment, treatment and management to adults with stroke, TBI and progressive neurological conditions, such as Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. The service provides early supported discharge for stroke, community stroke and neuro rehab pathways, and sees clients in their own homes, in clinic and other appropriate community locations. This post offers an exciting opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist to develop and consolidate specialist skills and knowledge working with adults with neurological conditions in a community setting.
We are looking for a dynamic, innovative and enthusiastic speech and language therapist to join our friendly and supportive multi-disciplinary team. The post holder will be joining a well-established MDT, consisting of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation support workers, a psychologist, and 3 other speech and language therapists. The post holder will have access to regular clinical supervision, and opportunities for additional internal and external CPD and training.
To assess, develop and implement specialist (SLT) treatment, evaluate outcomes and make specialist clinical decisions following assessment of cases and write reports reflecting specialist knowledge.
To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/clients with communication and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties.
To ensure that patients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible
To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures. This requires maintaining knowledge of current research and agreed best practice in working in the field of specialism.
To adapt practice to meet individual patients’ circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences
To provide a service which takes account of the needs of clients from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.
To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports in line with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ (RCSLT) professional standards as well as local trust policies.
To adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures to protect the confidentiality of information about clients’ and colleagues at all times.
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people’s lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations
To provide a specialist speech and language therapy (SLT) service to clients after stroke, demonstrating a high level of competence in the management of acquired disorders of communication and swallowing, and an in-depth knowledge of the physical, psychological and emotional consequences of stroke
To work effectively across the ESD, stroke and neuro pathways by supporting and working with the inpatient stroke and neuro multidisciplinary team
To manage and prioritise a complex clinical caseload
To provide advice and support to clients, carers and volunteers on communication and swallowing difficulties after stroke and other neurological conditions
To assess needs for alternative and augmentative communication aids to enable clients to maintain or improve their level of independence and provide clients/carers with relevant training
To provide advice, support and supervision to colleagues on SLT interventions for clients with stroke other neurological conditions and assist in the development of skills through continuing professional development activities
Work collaboratively with local and regional non-statutory agencies to develop longer term support options for stroke survivors with communication difficulties after stroke, in line with Long Term Support Commissioning Guidelines (Commissioning Support for London)
To develop and evaluate training for carers and team members on SLT interventions trainers with Aphasia as appropriate
To contribute to sharing best practice and research updates with Speech and Language Therapy and Community Neuro Service MDT by establishing links with other SLTs working in the field of stroke

Please refer the Job description for details