Job summary
Are you an enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist looking to develop your specialist skills in adult communication and dysphagia within a supportive and experienced team?

We are seeking a motivated Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (0.8 WTE) to join our Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service. This is an exciting opportunity for a therapist with dysphagia competencies to work with adults who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties arising from a range of physical and mental health conditions.

You will be part of a well-established team delivering high-quality, person-centred care across community settings across Knowsley and St Helens, including outpatient clinics, care homes, patients' own homes and adult mental health wards. The role offers a varied caseload, excellent opportunities for professional development and access to regular clinical supervision from experienced senior clinicians.

We are committed to supporting innovation, continuous learning and staff wellbeing, making this an ideal opportunity for a therapist looking to further develop their skills and contribute to service improvement.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and intervention for adults presenting with communication and/or swallowing difficulties.

Key duties include:

• Managing an independent caseload of adults with communication and swallowing disorders.
• Undertaking specialist dysphagia assessments and implementing evidence-based management plans.
• Providing assessment and intervention within a range of community and inpatient settings.
• Working collaboratively with patients, carers, multidisciplinary teams and partner agencies to deliver person-centred care.
• Contributing to waiting list management and service prioritisation.
• Providing advice, training and support to carers, support staff and healthcare professionals.
• Supporting service development, clinical audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Supervising Speech and Language Therapy assistants and students as required.

About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.

We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.

At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.

Job responsibilities
The post holder will:

• Provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties associated with neurological, physical and mental health conditions, including Stroke, Parkinson's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease and Dementia.
• Independently manage and prioritise a complex caseload, ensuring timely and effective intervention in accordance with clinical need and service priorities.
• Assess and manage dysphagia, including the development and implementation of evidence-based eating and drinking recommendations to minimise clinical risk and promote patient safety.
• Deliver care across a range of settings including outpatient clinics, care homes, patients' own homes and adult mental health wards.
• Develop, implement and review person-centred treatment plans, ensuring interventions are outcome-focused and evidence-based.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous clinical records in line with professional and organisational standards.
• Provide specialist advice and support to patients, families, carers, multidisciplinary teams and partner organisations.
• Contribute to the management and prioritisation of referrals and waiting lists to ensure equitable access to the service.
• Support the assessment, provision and implementation of alternative and augmentative communication strategies where appropriate.
• Deliver education, training and support to healthcare professionals, care staff and carers regarding communication and dysphagia management.
• Supervise, support and delegate work to Speech and Language Therapy assistants as appropriate.
• Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and continuing professional development activities.
• Contribute to service development, audit, quality improvement projects and implementation of best practice.
• Actively promote collaborative team working and contribute positively to the ongoing development of the Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop specialist clinical skills while contributing to the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Accredited Speech and Language Therapy qualification (BSc)
• Registration with HCPC

Desirable

• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist (RCSLT)
• Post graduate training/qualification in Dysphagia

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience with provision of supervision and delegation to junior members of staff
• Experience of use of outcome measures for clinical evaluation
• Driving License
• Basic IT Skills (Microsoft Software: Excel, World, Power Point, MS Teams)

Skills
Essential

• A demonstrated understanding of Equality and Human Rights
• Ability to convey information and skills to direct care staff
• Good time management and organizational skills
• Flexible approach skills towards service change, demands and pressure

Desirable

• Experience of providing clinical supervision (to students or SaLT staff)

Knowledge
Essential

• A philosophy and approach that empowers people
• Knowledge of alternative and augmentative communication and dysphagia
• A person-centred approach to service delivery
• Understanding of current NHS changes

Values
Essential

• Continuous improvement - committed to making improvements to our services for the benefit of all
• Accountability - taking ownership to anticipate, develop and deliver high quality care
• Respect - how we treat others in an inclusive and supportive way
• Enthusiasm - demonstrate our passion and pride for what we do and how we do it
• Support - actively supporting others with compassion and courage

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.