11 Oct
East And North Herts Nhs Trust
Northwood
Job description
Job summary
We are recruiting for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.
The post holder will be joining a team of Speech and Language Therapists who work predominantly within the Head and Neck oncology service with outpatients and inpatients.
The Speech and Language Therapy service is operationally based within the AHP Therapy service, under the direction of the AHP Head of Therapies.
The post holder will be an experienced Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) who uses evidence-based knowledge and specialist skills to assess, diagnose and manage dysphagia and communication impairments.
The post holder will either have previous experience working in head and neck oncology or be committed to developing their skills within this area with support and regular supervision from the senior SLTs.
Our Values are I nclude, R espect and I mprove. It is important that you understand and refer to our values during your recruitment process and beyond!
Main duties of the job
Supporting patients undergoing radiotherapy + / - chemotherapy treatment with their swallowing and communication needs
Supporting patients with swallowing and / or communication disorders receiving palliative radiotherapy, chemotherapy and / or immunotherapy
Assessing and managing acute patients with swallowing or communication difficulties in the oncology inpatient wards
Managing complex patients, such as those with a tracheostomy or laryngectomy, as competencies allow
Clinical professional development is highly valued at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. The post holder will be supported to develop specialist competencies,
undertake audits, contribute to research projects and will have the opportunity to attend relevant study days.
You will be encouraged to improve SLT service delivery and implement evidence-based changes to practice, alongside the senior SLTs.
The post holder will be expected to participate in MDT meetings and to deliver training within the hospital to other health professionals, when required.
You will have the opportunity to supervise SLT student / s and to provide clinical support to the SLT assistant.
About us
At East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general and specialist services we provide and our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care.
Our ability to be flexible and innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.
We run the following hospitals :
- The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
- New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
- Hertford County, Hertford
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood
We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients.
We continue to undergo significant transformation and our staff and patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.
We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees.
This means that any employee is entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns and we are committed to listen and consider all requests.
Such requests, of course, have to be made and considered formally, and will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification information pack for further detailed information regarding this role.
ENHT is seeking to maintain and expand the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre staff as we move to an exciting new future.
We welcome applications from those who would relish the opportunity to be part of new and developing cancer service, building on the excellent reputation, research and patient experience the Cancer Centre already delivers.
In addition, you will receive a High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of your basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,108 and a maximum payment of £5,177per annum pro rata.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Training
Essential
- Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered member of the RCSLT
- Current registration with HCPC
- Postgraduate training in dysphagia to Level C 'Dysphagia Training and
- Competency Framework (2014)' or equivalent
- Member of relevant SIG / CEN
Desirable
- Completed RCSLT VF competency framework or equivalent
- Training / courses in Head and Neck or Oncology
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience of working at postgraduate level with adults with acquired communication and / or swallowing disorders
- Experience of working with patients who have an oncology diagnosis
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
- Experience working with adults with a tracheostomy or laryngectomy
- Experience of working with adults with head and neck cancer
- Experience of working with adults with a palliative diagnosis
- Experience of supervising junior staff or students on placement
- Experience of delivering training to other professionals, patients and / or carers
Skills
Essential
- Able to manage time and prioritise caseload effectively
- Able to make appropriate clinical decisions following an assessment
- Able to seek guidance when faced with a situation beyond clinical skills
- Excellent communicator with ability to modify skills as needed
- Able to work effectively within a team and also on own initiative
- Able to reflect on own practice and that of others
- Information Technology skills including : e-mail, Word, Excel & Power Point
Desirable
- Able to teach and motivate other colleagues / students to promote their development
- Able to negotiate and manage conflict
▶️ Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Oncology
🖊️ East And North Herts Nhs Trust
📍 Northwood