Renovo Care Group provides high quality neurological treatment, supporting the best rehabilitation outcomes with our patients. We now have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Lead Speech and Language Therapist to join our dynamic team and contribute to providing excellent care to our service users at our Hollanden Park Hospital. This permanent position is well suited for an individual who is looking to pursue a challenging rewarding career in therapy and would like to apply working experience in a thriving and supportive workplace.
This exciting position offers an opportunity as a Lead Speech and Language Therapist to use knowledge and skills, in a role in which you can take ownership of the well-being of our patients.
Role Overview
As a Lead Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) you will ensure effective delivery of the Speech and Language Therapy service through professional leadership, operational management, supervision and guidelines to Speech and Language Therapy staff.
Following the principles of good Governance, you will continue to maintain and develop the Groups’ high-quality Speech and Language Therapy service, through recognised professional standards, evidence based practice, and effective clinical audit programme.
You will provide advanced specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing for patients with highly complex physical and cognitive impairments, caused by neurological insult and acquired brain injury.
Reporting to: Head of Therapies
Organisation: Renovo Care Group
Department / Area: Operations - Allied Health Professions
Band / Pay Rate: Broadly equivalent to Band 7 / £49,387.00 per annum
Days / Shifts: Days
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, working 5 days out of 7
Location / Travel required: Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent
Key Responsibilities:
- Use clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of evidence-based practice to determine appropriate SLT care pathways utilising specialist treatment skills and options.
- Develop and oversee the implementation and evaluation of individualised treatment programmes and goals and provide specialist advice to the Speech and Language Therapy and wider Interdisciplinary team.
- Provide advanced level swallow assessment, treatment outcome measurement and weaning support for patients with highly complex neurological presentations following acquired and traumatic brain injury and tracheostomies, working closely with Physiotherapy and Nursing colleagues, delivering support and teaching to the SLT and nursing team.
- Continue to develop specialist level of clinical knowledge of up-to-date theory and practical application of techniques.
- Manage clinical risk within own caseload at all times and ensure clinical risk is effectively managed across the Speech and Language Therapy team.
- Organise and provide specialist clinical training to Speech and Language Therapy staff and the wider interdisciplinary team in collaboration with other Lead Therapists.
- Provide advice and support regarding the Speech and Language Therapy service to inform strategic projects, future service provision and business planning for therapy services.
- Set key service objectives and review these in line with ongoing staff objectives and continue to develop the structure of the Speech and Language Therapy team in line with evidence-based practice and the Service Specification.
- You will lead and support the Speech and Language Therapy team to implement policy and service development changes and lead and support members of the Speech and Language Therapy team to undertake audit activity, outcome measures and research within the department and across the service, in consultation with the Head of Therapies.
- Ensure that all Speech and Language Therapy staff receive regular clinical supervision, an annual appraisal and a comprehensive personal development plan.
- Lead on recruitment of Speech and Language Therapy staff, including review of post, through to shortlisting of applicants and chairing appointment panels.
- Cascade corporate strategic ideas and information to all staff within the Speech and Language Therapy Service, whilst being sensitive to their levels of understanding and prior knowledge.
- Ensure appropriate monitoring and ordering of consumable Speech and Language Therapy stock is maintained within agreed budgets.
- Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of Speech and Language Therapy equipment in line with Groups Health and Safety Policy.
- Ensure Speech and Language Therapy service standards are in line with national standards (where they exist) and best evidence, and ensure these standards are monitored and adhered to by all team members; maintaining an up to date knowledge of equipment and resources and their application to neurorehabilitation.
- Build links with local community providers to ensure up to date knowledge of their services and resource provision for patients post-discharge from the Centre.
- Support the Lead Therapists and Head of Therapies to ensure that therapy services are coordinated and delivered equitably and professionally, encompassing the ideals of inter-disciplinary working, whilst maintaining clear role profiles and specialisms.
- Participate actively in appropriate meetings as required and communicate complex service-related information to senior managers and staff across the services and outside the organisation using negotiating, motivational and persuasive skills, both written and verbal.
- Manage and further develop the Speech and Language Therapy annual audit programme and to report all research and audit activities.
- Keep abreast of evidenced based practice in own specialist area and ensure the Speech and Language Therapy team does likewise, by use of relevant reading, attendance at in-service training, external courses and database searches.
- Arrange and undertake specialised teaching to the Speech and Language Therapy and wider Interdisciplinary Team.
- Complete small local research projects within the scope of clinical role, and present in specialist areas at local and national conferences.
- Ensure critical appraisal of current evidence underpins the Speech and Language Therapy teams practice and development plans.
- Complete all mandatory training and ensure the Speech and Language Therapy team maintain up to date mandatory training records
- Have a detailed working knowledge of appropriate legislation and comply with the Professional Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and Professional standards for Speech and Language Therapists and ensure that junior staff do likewise.
- Conform at all times to the Policies and Procedures of the Company, with particular regard to confidentiality, financial and administrative responsibilities, and treat patients, colleagues and visitors with dignity and respect at all times.
- Practice the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and take responsibility for ensuring that work is undertaken in such a manner as to ensure the health, safety and welfare of themselves and others; this should be done by ensuring that work is undertaken in accordance with instructions and training received, and by reporting any area posing a potential health and safety concern.
- Maintain and support all quality initiatives and objectives introduced into the organisation.
- Undertake any other appropriate roles and responsibilities as requested and required.
Framework and Boundaries
You will ensure the Speech and Language Therapy service responds to national initiatives and policy within the framework of clinical governance including clinical effectiveness, evidence-based healthcare, managing clinical risk, and research and development issues.
You will work within the Groups policies, procedures and professional practice guidelines to maintain accurate and comprehensive up to date records and uphold professional standards as outlined by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
You will use an extensive range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to engage effectively with patients and their families, so as to gain consent and active participation in treatment, within the legal framework with those clients who lack capacity to consent.
You will contribute to hospital-based audits at the discretion of the Head of Therapies
There is a budgetary responsibility with this position.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £49,387.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Education:
Experience:
- speech therapy: 3 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- HCPC (required)
- dysphagia training (required)
Work Location: In person
