We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) to clinically lead the Acute/Rehab Stroke Team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHTR), alongside our other established B7 SLT and ACP practitioner. We are a Comprehensive Stroke Centre, which means this post offers an interesting variety of work across the stroke pathway.
This role covers the whole Stroke Pathway including HASU, acute stroke, and stroke rehabilitation. Clinically this entails complex acquired disorders of communication, cognition and dysphagia and the opportunity to work with an established and passionate MDT. Collaboratively we are part of an active regional stroke delivery network, which drives quality improvement initiative and provides training opportunities to ensure optimal patient care.
LTHTR have established VFS and FEES clinics and experience in these areas would be advantageous. However, for the right candidate training in VFS and FEES could be provided in-house.
You will be expected to work within a 6-day therapy service with plans in future, for a 7-day service. This role also requires cross-site working, therefore a car user is essential. Excellent interpersonal skills are crucial to build working relationships with multiple MDTs across sites. CPD is actively supported, and you will have the opportunity to continue to develop your clinical portfolio.
To provide clinical leadership and service development within Stroke SLT services under the supervision/direction of the Head/Associate Head of Service.
To use evidence-based, highly specialist skills to manage complex Stroke caseloads.
Utilise instrumental assessment (VFS/FEES) as required.
Provide training / support to staff working with patients and their carers / families
To attend MDT meetings and board rounds to optimise patient care.
Cross site and 6-day working
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust is a large acute organisation, delivering specialist services both locally and regionally. The Speech Therapy Department is situated at the Royal Preston Hospital site; however, we also deliver services to Chorley District Hospital.
We are a dedicated SLT service with excellent patient care at the core of our values, and our varied caseload provides complex presentations across dysphagia, communication and voice respectively. We have established VFS and FEES clinics, with in-service training to provide sustainability. We strive to continuously improve our SLT services through service development and innovation and are keen that audit / research are part of our clinical roles. We have strong clinical leadership within the department and structured clinical supervision and CPD is promoted.
You will join a large friendly team of speech and language therapists covering a range of specialist services. The department is rated 'GOLD' on the STAR quality assurance framework, with a strong commitment to evidence-based practice. CPD and training are well supported.
Please see separate job description and person specification for full details:
Effective communication of complex and often distressing information to patients and carers.
Effective MDT communications
Undertake highly specialist clinical assessment, differential diagnosis and management of Stroke patients.
VFS / FEES.
To initiate and implement change collaboratively with the Head/Associate Head of SLT.
To complete own appraisal and personal development.
Demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge in specialist area, including development of the team.
Take responsibility for the planning and organisation of service provision across sites.
Actively participate in clinical governance agenda.
