Speech & Language Therapist Lead Band 7

Hours: 37.5 full time – part time hours considered

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in our brand new, state of the art, 48 bedded rehab unit. If you are a dynamic, motivated and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist keen to lead a team then we want you to come and work for us.

Job purpose

At CRC we provide speech and language services for clients’ complex disabilities under the care of QEF. This will include;

• the assessment and treatment of language, speech, swallowing and associated cognitive communication disorders, and
• the provision of training and advice to colleagues, families and carers for the holistic treatment and management of clients.
• working as a member of QEF’s specialist multi-disciplinary team to ensure the effective provision of speech and language therapy services for clients with complex disability.

Role Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Head of Clinical Services you will hold accountability and responsibility for the SLT provision to all clients within our rehabilitation centre.
• Leading and managing a specialist SLT team in a brand new state of the art rehabilitation centre. The team comprises band 6 and band 5 SLTs, an SLT assistant and we are proactive to have students.
• To contribute to the continued development of a high quality SLT therapeutic service
• To provide specialist dysphagia assessment and intervention to clients who require, utilising competencies and experience at a senior practitioner level.
• To provide highly skilled communication assessment and intervention to all our clients with acquired brain injury, such as stroke, ABI and other neurological conditions, utilising competencies and experience at a senior practitioner level.
• Delivering 1:1 and group SLT sessions to a range of clients and creating accessible communication and swallowing guidance for the wider MDT.
• Conducting skilled mental capacity assessments independently or jointly with other professionals, as appropriate.
• Having a ‘key-worker’ role – managing and overseeing a specific client’s whole journey at QEF, liaising with families, being a single point of contact for all queries, co-ordinating care and discharge packages.
• Advocating on clients’ behalf in a range of situations, eg. when writing reports, CHC forms and complex DST meetings where highly skilled reporting and ability to deal with questioning is necessary.
• Closely working with the wider multi-disciplinary team – PTs, OTs, Psychology team, dietitian, nursing, carers, kitchen staff, activity co-ordinators. Also working with outside agencies, such as social workers, safeguarding, expert witnesses, lawyers, neuro-navigators, DST assessors.
• Working with the Head of Clinical Services and senior management on service development, quality improvement projects and clinical audit
• Providing clinical supervision and expert advice to SLT staff as well as SLT students on placement.
• Responsible for the recruitment within the SLT department with opportunity to support in the recruitment process of the wider CRC staffing remit
• Managing the Speech and Language Therapy team to include sickness absence, performance, appraisals, probationary periods in line with QEF policy
• Supporting and leading on the emphasis on learning and reflective practice – within the SLT as well as wider team, providing and participating in training and learning.
• Actively jointly working with our catering company, manager and dietitian to provide high standard of catering in line with IDDSI framework

About You

You are passionate about your area of work

Our Values and Behaviours inspire you

• You hold a degree or diploma in Speech and Language Therapy and up to date HCPC registration
• You are a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy and work within the scope of your professional guidelines
• You have post graduate experience and knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions in the treatment and management of clients requiring physical and neuro rehabilitation and/or physical and learning difficulties.
• You have relevant experience in dysphagia and communication and voice management
• You have evidence of relevant post graduate courses, CPD and an up to date professional portfolio

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension and Life Assurance
• Westfield Healthcare Cash back scheme and shopping discounts
• Free on-site parking
• Blue Light Card
• Range of training opportunities provided to ensure career development.