Job summary
We are excited to recruit a 12-month fixed-term, full-time Band 6 Stroke Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to join our friendly and proactive team at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, on the South-East London/North-West Kent border. This post is to cover maternity leave. We would consider appointing a developing Specialist SLT with the required skills, experience and enthusiasm. We are situated close to South-East London with excellent transport links, and an additional 5% high cost of living allowance applies. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, supportive and flexible team.

The post holder will work alongside Highly Specialist SLT Team Leads, Specialist SLTs and SLT Assistants within our well-established Adult SLT service. There are also established Acute and Outpatient SLT teams, with excellent administrative support.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work with stroke inpatients as a member of the Stroke MDT and dedicated stroke SLT team, providing specialist SLT assessment and management throughout both the acute and rehabilitation stages of stroke care. The post holder will be competent in the assessment and management of a wide range of swallowing and communication disorders, particularly those associated with stroke, and will work with an appropriate level of autonomy for a Band 6 therapist.

You will be an active member of the multidisciplinary Stroke Unit, contributing to service development, clinical audit and SSNAP targets, as well as supporting the supervision and development of junior colleagues and SLT Assistants. You will be supervised by the Band 7 Stroke Lead SLT, with strong links to AHP colleagues across the wider service.

About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Job responsibilities
We offer excellent clinical supervision, specialist support and CPD opportunities within a well-established and well-resourced SLT team. You will have access to lead specialist therapists in stroke, dementia, palliative care, tracheostomy and voice. There are also weekly on-site videofluoroscopy and FEES clinics, providing opportunities to further develop your specialist dysphagia skills. Learning, sharing expertise and ongoing professional development are strongly encouraged.

We are passionate about service development and actively encourage involvement in projects, audit, training and cross-disciplinary working. We also value keeping our practice current and raising the profile of Speech and Language Therapy.

Please watch our recruitment video to hear more about our team and service:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZCMlSDW0o

We would be very excited to welcome another passionate SLT into our team!

If you are interested in this post and would like further information, please email dgn-tr.sltdvh@nhs.net or telephone 01322 428593 to discuss the post further. You are also very welcome to visit the department.

Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
• Successful completion of postgraduate training in dysphagia
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses relevant to role

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group
• Knowledge of range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group
• Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to client group
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Experience
Essential

• Significant postgraduate experience of working with adult clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties
• Postgraduate experience working in an acute hospital setting
• Relevant experience in stroke and acquired neurological difficulties
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary stroke team
• Experience of giving training and presentations

Desirable

• Experience carrying out videofluoroscopy/FEES assessment including analysis and report writing

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).