Job summary
This role is suited to either an experienced or newly qualified speech and language therapist who is competent in the assessment and management of adults with communication in a range of specialties within the community setting. If the successful candidate is also competent in the management of dysphagia, there will be strong support for the assessment and management of dysphagia also. The community team is a friendly dynamic team and we offer both one to one and group settings both in clinic and in a person's own home. Ability to travel to home visits and various clinical settings is essential as is the ability to work autonomously with regular clinical support and supervision. If required there will be an opportunity to join our AHP preceptorship programme. You will be a strong team player who is able to provide high quality speech and language therapy assessments and interventions across a wide variety of clinical needs.

Main duties of the job
To provide a high standard of speech and language therapy assessment and management of adults with communication in a variety of community settings; autonomously manage a clinical caseload with support from senior colleagues; support shadowing opportunities for SLT and other students as required; participation in service quality improvement projects; undertake professional duties as a qualified speech and language therapist seeking advice from senior colleagues where appropriate.

About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Job responsibilities
Please see attached the full job description attached for all of the relevant details for this job role.

Person Specification
Education & Qualifications

• RCSLT recognised degree or equivalent
• Eligible for registered membership of RCSLT
• HPC membership

Desirable

• Independent Dysphagia Practitioner

Experience & Knowledge

• Experience of working in various clinical settings.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Portfolio of CPD evidence relevant to post.
• Assessment of communication impairments by various means, including a range of standardised assessments.
• Differential diagnosis of patients with multiple aetiologies
• Experience of working in a community setting.

Desirable

• Experience of supervising staff
• Experience of working with elderly/very unwell people
• Experience of working with people in acute distress.
• Awareness of other investigations of dysphagia, e.g. videofluoroscopy
• Experience of bedside assessment of dysphagia

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of evidence-based practice in relation to swallowing and communication disorders.
• Knowledge of neurologically impaired patients, and current approaches to treatment and rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of differing approaches to communication therapy.
• Knowledge of alternative/ augmentative communication systems.
• An ability to develop and deliver work programmes for individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of various ways of seeking and accessing clinical information.
• Highly developed communication/interpersonal skills
• Good administrative skills, including word processing.

Desirable

• Excellent time management/prioritisation skills
• Developing critical appraisal skills, with insight into own strengths and weaknesses.

Personal Qualities

• Experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team
• Committed to personal development.
• Motivation and drive towards working duties
• Flexible and reliable approach to working duties

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship: 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.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.