An exciting opportunity is available for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist who wishes to develop band 5 SLT skills within an acute inpatient hospital setting. Join our very supportive and dynamic SLT team in the provision of SLT services to patients with a wide range swallowing and communication difficulties / medical conditions admitted to our acute hospital wards (Stroke / General Medicine as per service need).
You will work alongside and gain support from our amazing SLT team with a wide range of skills within; Neurology, General Medicine , Respiratory, Critical Care and Head & Neck Cancer and Stroke services.
The post is Fixed Term until the end of January 2027 to cover but may be extended further.
The Royal United Hospitals Bath SLT service aims to support adult inpatients (and their families) with communication and swallowing difficulties through the inpatient journey. The aim is to support diagnosis, optimise function, identify and mitigate for risk whilst supporting shared decision making, patient autonomy and a good patient experience
We have regular onsite access to videofluoroscopy and FEES, regular CPD and development opportunities as well as a supervision to support you in your practice and development.
To assess communication and swallowing difficulties during the inpatient admission across medical pathways in order to support diagnosis, optimal function and independence. To utilise a range of assessment and treatment options to support the best and patient preferred course of intervention. To work in partnership with the multi-disciplinary team to provide a person centred, holistic approach, to meet the needs and wishes of service users.
At the RUH we put people at the heart of what we do, working together as one team to make a difference for our patients, each other, and our community. No matter what your role is, we value everyone’s contribution in supporting the exceptional, person-centred care we pride ourselves on.
We are proud to be in the top 20 best hospitals to work for in the country.
We are committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive environment. This can be seen in our growing community of staff networks – celebrating successes and creating opportunities to listen and learn. We value our differences, champion kindness and civility, and truly believe that diversity makes us stronger.
A culture of learning, developing and innovating is the thread that runs throughout our whole organisation. We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential.
We value staff wellbeing, with a well-established programme of support. We believe in a holistic approach spanning all aspects of living a healthy life, including physical, emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing. We’ve even got a pool!
We are committed to supporting you and hope you want to join our team. In the meantime, find out more about living and working the beautiful historic city of Bath , learn about our extensive package of staff benefits , and read about how we’re providing healthcare fit for the future with the landmark Dyson Cancer Centre and our passion for research .
Clinical responsibilities
To undertake assessments which form accurate diagnosis and prognosis for patients with swallowing and/or communication difficulties and utilise a range of treatment skills and options to recommend and inform regarding the best course of intervention.
To work within the scope of own dysphagia competencies and work closely with SLT supervisor to progress and reflect upon these
To explore patient and family preferences and support shared decision making
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of service users in own care, ensuring a good standard of clinical provision.
To organise time effectively and to work flexibly depending on caseload demands and clinical priorities.
To work in partnership with the rest of the multi-disciplinary team to provide a person centred, holistic approach, to meet the needs of service users.
To communicate complex and sensitive information effectively using a variety of verbal, non-verbal, written and graphic media, appropriate to the needs of the service user/carer and others in order to maximise their understanding of the issues and the proposed intervention.
To show empathy towards patients, families and carers, and demonstrate counselling skills when working with those who may be distressed.
To gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with service users who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
To ensure that patients, when appropriate and their relatives/carers are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.
To apply understanding of the effect of disability and to recommend alterations/adaptations of the service users’ social and physical environment, appropriate to their needs.
To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation in line with legal and departmental requirements.
To establish robust communication networks with other health workers and agencies, and to participate in multi-disciplinary meetings/activities/working groups as required.
To liaise with community teams to ensure continuity of care between inpatient and community settings
To participate in rotation opportunities into other areas of the service when opportunities arise.
To take responsibility for the security, care and maintenance of equipment when in use, ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained.
To maintain up to date, full and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT standards and RUH policies.
To share information with others, including medical staff, about a client’s communication, swallowing and social needs, which may involve vulnerable adult issues, observing data protection guidelines.
To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within the trust’s guidelines.
Supervisory and training
To supervise the work of assistants and volunteers as required.
To participate in the delivery of student placements as required and in line with competency
To explain the role of speech and language therapists to visitors, students, and volunteers.
To participate in the development and delivery of training (formal and informal) to colleagues and other professionals with and without support.
Professional development
To manage and prioritise defined caseloads independently once competent to do so.
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor.
To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.
To work within defined departmental, trust and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.
To be independent in accessing appraisal within an individual performance framework at pre-determined intervals.
To participate in an annual appraisal, ensuring that the objectives set reflect the service and trust plans.
To attend relevant training and development to maintain skills and knowledge required of a speech and language therapist working with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties, and to retain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration.
To demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to RCSLT & HCPC professional and clinical and national and local guidelines, standards and code of professional conduct
To develop a working knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and their application to professional practice.
Contacts and communication
To communicate complex condition-related information to clients, carers, families, and members of the multi-disciplinary team to maximise the effectiveness of speech and language therapy input.
To work closely with clients, carers, and families, agreeing decision making relevant to the patient/client management.
To communication effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team/other professions to facilitate joint working.
To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and/or carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
To demonstrate negotiation skills with carers/clients around individual case management, and to recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs, and to seek advice and support to resolve.
To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.
To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties.
Work Conditions
To follow local infection control policy
To follow local lone working policy
To be aware of local risk policy
Service development and delivery
To contribute to and participate in service developments and improvements
POLICIES AND EXPECTED STANDARDS
To be aware of all relevant Trust policies and procedures and to always comply with these.
To be aware of the need to challenge appropriately and understand duty of care.
To be familiar with and understand the correct reporting process where there has been a potential breech.
To adopt and follow the Trust values and behaviours. To comply with all relevant legislation & Trust Policy with regards to Confidentiality & Information Governance
To have a responsibility to safeguard adults & children which includes an understanding of the relevant Trust & Local Safeguarding Adults & Children’s Board Policies.
To always act in line with relevant Trust Policies & the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.
To follow Trust infection control policy
The Trust values Diversity and actively works towards promoting Equality both in terms of its healthcare provision and within its current and potential workforce. The Trust continuously aims to improve the experience of patients and carers using the RUH.
This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post holder is required to be flexible in developing their role in agreement with their designated manager. In addition, they may be required by their manager to carry out any other duty commensurate with their banding and expertise.
Our structure- Adult SLT Service
About us
Everyone matters at the RUH
We want to be an outstanding place for us to work in and our patients to be cared for in. By learning from and embracing diversity, we create stronger and more inclusive teams which helps us to provide better care to our patients as well as supporting the wellbeing of each other.
How we work together
As one team, we will live our values of everyone matters, working together to make a difference.
This enables us to provide the best possible care for the people we work with, people we care for and people in our community. You can find out more about our values and vision here
Our policies and procedures
These guide us in how to keep patients, carers, visitors, colleagues as well as all our information safe.
We embrace a culture of learning and curiosity with kindness and civility, free from blame to enable us to learn from incidents and continue to improve together.
Patient Experience
Ensuring our patients are cared for safely and have a positive experience is important to us.
No matter our role at the RUH, we can all make a
difference to improving patient and family experience .
