NHS AfC: Band 6

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) is the largest community healthcare provider in Sussex.

• Over 8,400 full time, part time and bank staff members
• Medical, nursing and therapeutic care provided to over 10,000 children and adults a day
• July 2018 Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of 'Good' with 'Outstanding' features
• Flexible working patterns offered across all services
• Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
• Accredited Level 3 Disability Confident Leader

SCFT is an inclusive employer that promotes equality and challenges discrimination, and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, disabled candidates and LGBT+ candidates are particularly encouraged, to ensure the Trust's workforce reflects the diverse communities it serves.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity to be part of a welcoming and dynamic team at Responsive Neuro Services in Horsham.

We are a friendly MDT comprising physio, OT's, SALT, Psychology, Dietetics, and Rehab Techs/Support workers.

We support people in the Community with progressive and acquired neurological conditions.

We predominantly see people in their own homes, but also make good use of virtual appts and have recently started outpatient clinics in Horsham and Mid-Sussex.

Main duties of the job

1. Provide speech and language therapy to adult clients with acquired and progressive neurological communication and swallowing difficulties.
2. Manage a specialist caseload independently, including dysphagia.
3. Take responsibility for the supervision and teaching of junior staff, rehabilitation technicians, rehabilitation support workers and students.
4. Maintain own records and work as an autonomous practitioner.
5. Assist with the planning, co-ordination, delivery and evaluation of the speech and language therapy service both locally and Trust wide

Working for our organisation

A friendly and supportive team who strive to provide the best quality care for patients.

A multidisciplinary team with lots of experience and consistent leadership.

Opportunity for continued professional development through an in-service training programme alongside working towards competencies

Joint working with other teams within SCFT as well as social services and the voluntary sector

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To use specialist knowledge and experience to assess and provide speech and language therapy to adults with communication and/or swallowing disorders relating to acquired and progressive neurological conditions.

2. To undertake initial multi-disciplinary team assessment of clients for RNS, prioritising client needs and managing service priorities.

3. To carry out specialist speech and language therapy assessments and reviews, interpret assessment results and make therapeutic decisions from an extensive range of options.

4. To assess and advise clients, presenting with a range of conditions, on the use of alternative/augmentative communication aids.

5. To advise and support speech and language therapy colleagues regarding the therapeutic intervention of clients with communication and swallowing disorders relating to acquired and/or progressive neurological conditions.

6. To provide specialist advice and support to multidisciplinary colleagues on issues relating to complex dysphagia and communication disorders.

7. To assess client/carer understanding of the proposed therapy management and gain valid, informed consent, ensuring a coordinated approach to meeting the individual's needs, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.

8. To devise and implement therapy groups for clients with communication difficulties, related to neurological diagnoses.

9. To contribute to and implement outcome measures to ensure effective practice, and to adapt therapy intervention plans as necessary, taking account of behavioural issues specific to individual circumstances.

10. To discuss and negotiate with colleagues the case management of complex cases, recognising the need to refer on to other professionals and/or agencies.

11. To manage conflict across a range of situations, including with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties.

12. To manage clinical risk within own caseload, demonstrating skills in dealing with complex issues to generate strategies for caseload management.

13. To provide accurate and timely reports, case notes and other client related

Person specification

Qualifications and Professional Experience
Essential criteria

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
• Registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Post-graduate training in dysphagia

Desirable criteria

• Post-graduate training in: • Stroke • Progressive neurological conditions • Neuro-rehabilitation

Experience
Essential criteria

• Post-graduate experience working as a speech & language therapist with neurologically impaired adults with communication and swallowing disorders
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team and understanding of team dynamics
• Experience of managing a caseload independently

Desirable criteria

• Experience of providing training and supervision to support workers/rehab assistants

Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria

• Specialist clinical knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders associated with acquired and progressive neurological conditions
• Highly developed negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Presentation and professional communication skills

Other
Essential criteria

• Access to own car with business insurance

This post may close earlier than the published closing date if sufficient applications are received.

Correspondence relating to this vacancy will be conducted electronically. If you have not heard from us within two weeks please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please ensure that you check your emails, including your junk folder, on a regular basis. References will be requested electronically as well; please ensure you provide correct contact details for referees.

Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• JD and PS SALT RNS ( PDF , 755.2 KB )
• RNS SALT PS ( PDF , 755.2 KB )
• Staff Benefits Brochure ( PDF , 484.5 KB )
• Easy Read Application Form ( PDF , 1.1 MB )