Senior Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated part time B6 Speech and Language Therapist .

The successful applicant will be responsible for the provision of specialist, evidence based SLT assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients with head and neck cancer in the hospital and within the area covered by Torbay and South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT). The post holder will be required to travel to community hospitals, to see patients and liaise with colleagues as necessary.

This new post is a developmental post in the specialty area of Head and Neck Cancer. The post holder will develop their competencies within the specialty area working within the departmental competency framework, taking an active role in continuing professional development

Weekend working and home working may be required in order to provide a service model that meets future requirements.

This job involves no direct budgetary responsibility.

Main duties of the job

• To work as a core member of the head and neck cancer team in TSDFT.
• To work as an autonomous practitioner with a caseload of clients with head and neck cancer who may have complex communication needs, and/or eating and drinking difficulties (including laryngectomy) with access to supervision and training within the head and neck cancer team.
• To work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team.
• To provide training and support to staff teams, carers, families and colleagues.
• To supervise and support more junior speech and language therapists, assistants and students.

About us

Why Work With Us

The Head and Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapy Team are part of Torbay & South Devon Foundation Trust, an integrated care organisation, the first in the UK, serving rural and urban communities in South Devon.

We are a small but friendly and inclusive team of SLTs within Head and Neck Cancer, who work into a larger head and neck cancer MDT team.

We work across all settings including inpatients, outpatient clinics, community visits and virtually.

We offer excellent supervision and support by senior SLTs within T&SDFT as well as from MDT Clinical Specialists from across the team - ENT and Maxillofacial Surgeons/ Oncologists/ Clinical Nurse Specialist/ Dietitians/ Psychologists and Radiographers.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full detail of the role within the Job description and the personal specification attached

Person specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent.
• Full Registration with Health Professions Council
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups

Desirable

• Membership of a relevant Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) and/or CPD
• An interest in FEES/ VFSS

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Experience of working with complex conditions with an appropriate level of autonomy.
• Ability to demonstrate a range and depth of experience with mixed adult caseload and specific
• Experience of working at a foundation level in dysphagia for a minimum of 2 years, working towards completion of proficient level competencies
• Ability to work alone and as integral part of a team
• Experience of adapting communication mode to match the needs of the listener
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage own time and caseload
• Ability to cope under pressure, be proactive and take own initiative

Desirable

• Evidence of post-grad training in specialist short courses up to master's level or equivalent in specialist head and neck cancer clinical field
• Experience of supervising students, assistants and junior SLTs
• Completion of advance communication skills in cancer care.
• Motivated to participate in service development
• Motivated to support training or teaching other staff in an MDT or multi agency setting.
• Completion of advanced communication skills in cancer care