Job summaryAn exciting opportunity is available for a passionate and forward-thinking Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) to join the specialist in-patient Learning Disability services based in Hertfordshire, primarily providing highly skilled communication assessment and intervention to service users with a learning disability who are presenting with challenging behaviour and / or mental health problems, and are receiving care as an in-patient
You will confidently lead the SLT in-patient service, taking proactive steps to improve services and will have a key role in supporting junior staff and students to develop their skills.
The person successful in their application will be an essential member of the MDT, working alongside Psychiatry, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Arts Therapies, Physiotherapy and Social Care colleagues to support our service users achieve their goals.
Main duties of the job- To assess and develop treatment plans for service users within the specialist in-patient setting presenting with communication needs and/or dysphagia. This may include those with additional sensory and/or physical disability, mental health diagnosis and/or challenging behaviour
- To be responsible for managing a defined caseload, in the context of the service caseload, with ongoing evaluation of clinical effectiveness
- To provide line management and supervision to junior Speech and Language Therapists and/or Assistant Therapy Practitioners.
- To work with and be available to other SLT's, assistant therapy practitioners and students for support and joint consultation regarding clinical practice as required
- To work with service users and carers to identify SLT requirements as part of the overall care plan
- To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the service user and carer
- To monitor, evaluate and modify interventions with service users to ensure effectiveness of intervention and positive outcomes
- To have knowledge and understanding of the application of alternative and augmentative communication
- To be skilled and confident in facilitating group work with service users
- To undertake complex risk assessment and risk management for individual service users
- To ensure that clients are consulted and involved in decisions about their care
- To contribute to case formulations as part of the multidisciplinary team
About usHertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the
Care Quality Commission.Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.Job responsibilities- To assess and develop treatment plans for service users within the specialist in-patient setting presenting with communication needs and/or dysphagia. This may include those with additional sensory and/or physical disability, mental health diagnosis and/or challenging behaviour
- To be responsible for managing a defined caseload, in the context of the service caseload, with ongoing evaluation of clinical effectiveness
- To provide line management and supervision to junior Speech and Language Therapists and/or Assistant Therapy Practitioners.
- To work with and be available to other SLTs, assistant therapy practitioners and students for support and joint consultation regarding clinical practice as required
- To work with service users and carers to identify SLT requirements as part of the overall care plan
- To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the service user and carer
- To monitor, evaluate and modify interventions with service users to ensure effectiveness of intervention and positive outcomes
- To have knowledge and understanding of the application of alternative and augmentative communication
- To be skilled and confident in facilitating group work with service users
- To undertake complex risk assessment and risk management for individual service users
- To ensure that clients are consulted and involved in decisions about their care
- To contribute to case formulations as part of the multidisciplinary team
QualificationsEssential- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registration with HCPC
- Post graduate training/experience in learning disabilities, mental health/challenging behaviour and physical/sensory disabilities
- Evidence of continuing professional development
DesirableExperienceEssential- Specialist knowledge and application of speech and language therapy assessments and interventions
- Detailed knowledge of evidence-based practice and its contribution to practice governance
- Extensive clinical experience and ability to demonstrate application of advanced clinical skills
- Ability to facilitate therapist, generic technician and student development through effective supervision
- Experience of working within a Learning Disability setting
- Planning and coordination of treatment packages
- Leadership and first line management experience
Desirable- Participation in research projects and audit
- Experience of working in a relevant in-patient setting
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.Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 
