Speech and Language Therapist, Acute Medicine

The post holder will join our Medical and ICU team and work mainly on the medical wards.

Undertake advanced assessments, clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with acute or sub-acute conditions. These patients often have complex and / or chronic presentations.

Work as an autonomous practitioner to undertake a significant specialist clinical caseload, working without direct supervision.

Take a role in supervision and teaching of Speech and Language Therapists within clinical speciality and participate in multi-disciplinary team teaching.

Demonstrate leadership skills and contribute to service development and monitoring of standards of practice and developing multidisciplinary management of patients.

The Trust is moving towards 7 day working and this post holder will be expected to participate in providing a seven day service as part of their contracted hours on a rota system.

Planning and organisational tasks / duties

To plan effectively the daily management of a caseload of patients by prioritising clinical work, responding to urgent referrals and occasionally unpredictable work patterns.

To be able to prioritise clinical work and managerial work, and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires.

Patient Care Responsibilities

To undertake specialist assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multipathologies and to assess patients jointly with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

To use sound clinical reasoning skills, assessment techniques and diagnostic procedures to assess and develop treatment programmes.

To devise individualized Speech and Language therapy management and / or treatment plans, using a range of treatment/ management options, to include patient education.

To formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive, timely discharge plans, liaising with ESD and community rehabilitation teams.

To evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if required.

To evaluate the outcomes of your interventions.

Communication / Relationship Skills

To communicate effectively with all disciplines involved in a patients care, both those from within the organisation and those outside, to ensure effective multidisciplinary working. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.

To communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news relating to their rehabilitation potential and gaining consent for treatment.

To communicate any changes in care plan or treatment approach to the multi disciplinary team as necessary.

To ensure timely and effective communication with the Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist and senior staff on all professional matters.

To maintain accurate records in line with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy standards and Trust and service standards and policies.

To attend relevant board rounds, meetings and case conferences as appropriate in order to ensure appropriate management and effective and timely discharge of patients.

To attend staff meetings and actively participate ensuring understanding of information imparted.

Assess patients understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients in order to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This may include patients who will have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g. patients who may be deaf, blind, or be unable to accept diagnosis or presenting condition or who have cognitive and behavioural problems.

To appreciate cultural differences and take these into account when agreeing treatment plans with patients.

To manage frequently highly stressful conditions

To manage patients who maybe occasionally aggressive or confused.

To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner

Analytical / Judgmental Skills

To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/ multipathologies.

To use investigative and analytical skills to assess complex patients and support other more junior Speech and Language therapy staff with their patients as required.

To devise individualised Speech and Language Therapy management and / or treatment plans, using clinical reasoning skills.

To keep up to date with developments, analysing current research and discussing and implementing changes to your clinical practice.

Personal and people development

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider of acute hospital services to Surrey residents, serving a population of 410,00 people and employing approximately 4,800 staff.

Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience and best outcomes for patients and the team. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to deliver our workforce plan.

We are part of a collaborative Group with the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. As part of this partnership, colleagues may occasionally work across both organisations to support shared services, development opportunities and patient care.

St Peter's Hospital delivers complex medical and surgical care, maternity and emergency services. Day and orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology and outpatient services are delivered at Ashford Hospital. Additional services are delivered at Woking Community Hospital.

Our Values provide us with the behaviours we respect and can commit to. By living our values through our everyday interactions, we can build a stronger, more resilient, and forward- thinking organisation, guiding us to achieve success and make a positive impact on how we deliver our services.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits and discounts.

Please note that adverts may close early, so early application is encouraged.

For more information about careers at ASPH please visit:www.asph-careers.org

Qualifications

Experience

Skills