Senior Speech and Language Therapist

With proven clinical skills in the management of patients with rehabilitation needs, you must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to teach and develop more junior staff and students. Working in a department which offers a wide range of experience, you will be encouraged and supported to develop your clinical, teaching, and managerial skills as well as contribute towards service development. You will be part of a well-structured CPD program and responsible for wider service level projects with access to relevant MDT in-service training programs.

The Neurorehabilitation Speech and Language Therapy team works closely with SLTs on all King's sites. Led by the Head of Speech & Language Therapy and Band 8A/B Clinical Leads, the service offers an established supervision system, including action learning groups, plus a range of opportunities for learning and participation in both self and service development.

1. To manage an autonomous caseload on the neuro rehabilitation wards, which will include assessment, contribution to differential diagnosis, and specialist SLT management for patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders, following King's College Hospital (KCH) Speech and Language Therapy evidence based guidelines and abiding by KCH Speech and Language Therapy service standards.

2. To identify barriers to effective communication within the environment and suggest and implement solutions where feasible.

3. To introduce low and high tech communication aids as appropriate and train the patient, their family and friends and the staff on using alternative and augmentative communication aid systems or to refer on to the communication aid therapist at Bowley Close.

4. To co-ordinate and promote communication developments under the guidance of a senior therapist e.g. mental capacity act issues, developing and delivering training on supporting communication, advising on environmental changes that support those with communication difficulties.

5. To maintain and develop the use of AAC techniques and equipment across the team.

6. To discuss, advise and plan appropriate patient goals with clients, carers and the multidisciplinary teams.

7. To act as a key worker/Rehabilitation Coordinator where appropriate.

8. To provide complex and sensitive clinical information to patients and carers in clear, accessible and empathetic format, both in written and verbal form

9. To work as part of the multidisciplinary team negotiating appropriate therapy packages, length of stay and discharge arrangements

10. To attend ward rounds and MDT meetings as appropriate

11. To liaise on a regular basis with relevant hospital and community therapy teams.

12. To liaise with other agencies to ensure appropriate follow up and care arrangements for patients

13. To develop and deliver training regarding communication and swallowing to carers, relatives and staff.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Education and Qualifications

Desirable: - Member of RCSLT; - Supervision course

Knowledge and experience

Skills and competencies