Job summary
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our innovative Dementia Intensive Support Team (DIST).

DIST is a multidisciplinary team supporting people living with a diagnosis of dementia in their own homes and in care homes in the South-East Essex region

The successful candidate will provide a rapid access dysphagia service to avoid hospital admissions or deterioration of health and nutritional status due to eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.

We support families/carers with the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia, providing education of the nature of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties due to dementia, and advice on how to enable people to eat and drink as well as they can.

The post-holder will work effectively and efficiently as an autonomous speech and language practitioner within a multi-professional team environment in community and primary care settings, ensuring safe, efficient and effective delivery of patient-focussed care in line with identified evidence-based practice, local and national standards.

We offer a friendly and supportive team, regular supervision, excellent training and development opportunities and flexible working arrangements.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will be based at Harland Centre , Westcliff on sea but will be required to provide services across South East Essex.

The successful candidate will deliver person centred, goals-focused assessment and intervention to an adult with dementia caseload, both within the Care Homes and in patients' own homes.

To independently assess, differentially diagnose, develop and implement specialist care plans for care home residents with eating, drinking and swallowing needs due to dementia and frailty, as well as at the end of life.

To work with primary care, community health services and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a coordinated and holistic care plan for patients with necessary support and follow up from this care plan.

To provide ad hoc training and education to care home/care agency staff, to support them in their role.

To liaise with SLT colleague(s) from the Adult Community SLT service, acute SLT services, MAS SLT service and the ALD SLT service as required.

To be responsible and accountable for the independent prioritisation and management of own clinical caseload.

About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job responsibilities
please see attached job description document for a detailed summary of the main responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification
Application form
Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualification or equivalent
• Previous experience with adult caseload
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including sensitivity, observation, listening and empathy skills
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration

Desirable

• Completion of RCSLT dysphagia competencies
• Knowledge of national policies, procedures and current research relevant to all caseloads.
• Knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to dementia and other acquired and progressive neurological and non-neurological swallowing disorders in adults.
• Awareness of the principles of clinical governance /audit

Skills
Essential

• Can demonstrate excellent written and spoken English
• At least 1 years' experience work!ing with an adult caseload.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including sensitivity, observation, listening and empathy skills
• Ability to prioritise workload demands

Desirable

• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team Good team working skills
• Ability to acknowledge need for, and seek support
• Ability to work independently and to take initiative

Personal qualities
Essential

• Shares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour
• good verbal and communication skills

Desirable

• Experience of supporting more junior colleagues/students

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).