Trac proudly powers the recruitment for
Whittington Health NHS Trust
About
Whittington Health NHS Trust aims to help local people live longer and healthier lives by providing safe, personal, coordinated care for the community we serve.
We provide hospital and community care services to 500,000 people living in Islington and Haringey as well as other London boroughs including Barnet, Enfield, Camden and Hackney. As one organisation providing both hospital and community services, we are known as an ‘integrated care organisation’.
We have an income of £350 million and over 4,400 staff delivering care across north London.
Our priority is to provide the right care, at the right time and in the right place for our patients. We provide a large range of services from the hospital, including accident and emergency (A&E), maternity, diagnostic, therapy and elderly care. We also run services from 30 community locations in Islington and Haringey. Over the past year we have reviewed and developed services to make them stronger and better support the needs of patients.
As an integrated care organisation we bring high quality services closer to home and speed up communication between community and hospital services, improving our patients’ experience. Key to our approach is partnering with patients, carers, GPs, social care, mental health and other healthcare providers.
Our organisation has a highly-regarded educational role. We teach undergraduate medical students (as part of UCL Medical School) and nurses and therapists throughout the year, alongside providing a range of educational packages for postgraduate doctors and other healthcare professional.
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 5-6 Run Through)
Closed for applications on: 3-May-2024 00:01
Vacancy status: Closed
Closed for applications on: 3-May-2024 00:01
Key details
Location
- Site
- Swiss Cottage School
- Address
- 80 Avenue Road
- Town
- London
- Postcode
- NW8 6HX
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £34,089 - £50,364 per annum inclusive of HCAs
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS AfC: Band 6)
Specialty
- Main area
- Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Covid-19 Vaccination
Getting vaccinated, and getting a booster, remains the best defence against COVID-19.
We encourage and support staff to get COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose as and when they are eligible.
Please note in order to progress your application, your data will be processed by our 3rd party recruitment providers – North London Partners Shared Service, who conduct recruitment activities on behalf of Whittington Health NHS Trust.
For our current apprenticeship vacancies, please go to https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship and use Keyword ‘Whittington’
By applying for this role, you accept in the event you are successful that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which is aimed at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Job overview
This exciting opportunity is for a full time permanent therapist within our Complex Needs Service based at Swiss Cottage Special School.
We are looking for a dynamic and highly motivated speech and language therapist to work in a Band 5-6 run through post. We welcome applications from SLTs who are either band 6/ 5, or Newly Qualified Therapists who are interested in developing specialism in complex needs to join our service.
You must be able to work sensitively with children and young people with a range of communication and learning needs. You will need to work collaboratively with families and our colleagues in health, education and social care.
We are a well-established speech and language therapy service with a good reputation for providing a quality service to our clients alongside a friendly team and workplace. We are looking for a creative, flexible, enthusiastic colleague to join our service and contribute to this vision.
We will offer you excellent professional development opportunities with a strong emphasis on clinical supervision, individual performance appraisal and joint working with experienced clinicians.
As a service, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our colleagues. We are supportive of flexible working patterns and are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and access for all.
Advert
The post holder will work within specialist provisions in the borough of Camden. You will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive and specialist service to children and young people with complex communication needs which may include autism, cerebral palsy, profound and multiple learning difficulties and sensory impairments. You will have knowledge of communication approaches relevant to the client group and will deliver individualised and specialist interventions to support the learner’s needs as identified in their Education Health and Care Plans.
If you have any questions about this post or would like more information about the run through please contact Natalie Pottage, Clinical Coordinator. Telephone: 07825340919 or email [email protected]
Working for our organisation
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To carry a personal caseload and/or contribute to MDT therapy packages such as group therapy sessions or parent education sessions, maintaining a high level of professional competence and demonstrating specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of speech, language and communication problems associated with complex needs.
- To monitor and review the progress of CYP on the caseload and facilitate the development or modification of packages of care/targets as appropriate using evaluation/outcome measurement tools.
- To work effectively as part of the MDT with clients, carers, and colleagues around individual case management; providing specialist advice, guidance and support as necessary and involving them in the planning and prioritisation of care wherever possible.
- To reflect on clinical practice; adequately identifying strengths & needs of clients, reviewing their response to therapy and providing evidence of expert clinical judgement including in cases which are complex and challenging.
- To have completed additional training around the needs of CYP with dysphagia and to have at least one year experience of assessment/treatment of CYP with eating and drinking difficulties in order to communicate and deliver a highly effective service to CYP with complex needs.
- To be able to analyse conflicting information and provide clear guidance and detailed reports on children seen.
- To promote awareness about speech and language therapy in Camden.
- To facilitate and support specialist provisions and families in providing appropriate communication environments to develop CYP’s language and interaction skills.
- To demonstrate specialist knowledge and clinical effectiveness underpinned by current evidence based practice and outcome measures.
- To make appropriate specialist clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases, including differential diagnoses.
- To work closely with clients, carers and families, with empathy, tact, reassurance and active listening to fully discuss assessment results, treatment options, and agree a plan of management.
- To communicate complex information to carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.
- To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of neurodivergent CYP with complex needs and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the client’s difficulties and implications of the same.
- To undertake home visits, as necessary, in compliance with Home Visiting/ Lone Working Safety Policy.
- To contribute to clinical teams by discussing own and others input, ensuring a well-co-ordinated care plan that reflects the holistic needs of the C/YP and their parents/carers.
- To discuss diagnosis and potential outcomes with parents/carers and work collaboratively in decision making regarding referral on and intervention.
- To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.
- To demonstrate excellent communication skills.
- To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and /or carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
- To employ counselling skills with CYP, carers/families with highly complex needs.
- To liaise regularly with Senior Management within the Complex Needs Teams and with the MDT team to agree and review effective service delivery to CYP with complex needs.
- To be aware of legal requirements relating to the provision of a speech and language therapy service.
- To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge, ensuring that they meet departmental standards and are in line with local Trust Policy, and RCSLT professional standards.
- To demonstrate knowledge of current policies and practice in the education and health sector and incorporate these into the model of working as appropriate.
- To attend further training as necessary to maintain and further develop the skill and knowledge required of a specialist SLT.
- To keep up to date with current clinical developments through reading, attendance at courses, meetings and Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs).
- To provide training to SLTs developing a specialism in Complex Needs and those working with some C/YP with complex additional needs on their caseload.
- To manage and prioritise a specialist caseload, advising line manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc.
- To contribute to multi-agency assessment procedures as required, including statutory educational assessment.
- To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues and situations, recognising and resolving potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs.
- To ensure that CYP are referred to other services as appropriate.
- To demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the issues associated with clinical governance and their application to professional practice. This will include compliance with / adherence to, and implementation of service, service area and Trust policies, National and Local guidelines and RCSLT Professional and Clinical and Guidelines.
- To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks.
- To contribute to the local Trust’s systems of clinical governance, developing innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness in collaboration with others.
- To be accountable for professional action and recognising professional boundaries, and working within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.
- To work independently accessing appraisal within a Professional Development Plan (PDP) at pre-determined intervals.
- To have due regard for personal safety and that of CYP /carers, adhering to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensure the safe positioning of self and others.
- To reflect and adhere to infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal with specific issues related to client contact: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a daily basis.
- To provide advice and second opinions to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within clinical field, regarding the management and care of CYP with complex needs.
- To provide support and advice to less experienced speech and language therapists, and/or Therapy Assistants and volunteers.
- To assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including participation in working groups, policy development groups related to clinical specialism.
- To carry out administrative duties including activity data collection, updating this accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines.
- To maintain up to date records of annual leave and other absence.
- To participate in the clinical education of students, undertaking assessment of the placement as appropriate, and attending teaching sessions and meetings organised by the education establishments.
- To initiate and undertake Research/Clinical Governance /audit projects within area of expertise.
- To be able to be flexible within the service for Whittington Children’s Speech and Language Service and as required by the Speech and Language Therapy Services Manager, this may include a change in workplace.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS
To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:
- Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
- Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
- Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
- Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
- Participate in required training and supervision.
- Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct
Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Your application form –
- Provide only business email address for your referees – we are unable to request references from yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail accounts.
- Make sure you to include all evidence of where you meet the essential requirement on the jobs description as this forms the base of our shortlisting criteria.
Our processes –
- Closing dates are given as a guide; we are within our right to close adverts early so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid delay.
- If you do not hear from us up to 3 weeks after the closing date of the job unfortunately this means you have not been successfully shortlisted for interview. If your require feedback on your application please contact the appointing manager detailed in the body of the advert.
- Please check your emails regularly as all correspondence from us will be via trac.systems – occasionally these emails will go into your Junk folder.
- Employment at Whittington Health is offered subject to successful completion of a 6 month probationary period for all staff with the exception of GMC Registered Doctors.
Other important information –
- Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
- Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.
- In submitting an application form, you authorise Whittington Health NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed to the post.
If you are offered a role with one of the NLPSS partner trusts, as part of pre-employment checks your identity and right to work documentation will be verified remotely (in most circumstances), using a certified identity verification service provider TrustID. You will be asked to capture an image of the relevant documents as well as a “selfie” using your smartphone/tablet (if available) for facial matching. TrustID will also perform a digital address check using Trunarrative and Equifax, which is a soft check and does not leave a footprint on your credit rating. For more information, visit www.trustid.co.uk
Please note that during the recruitment process your Identity Documentation (i.e. passport, driving licence, visa, etc.) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, Infrared and Machine Readable Zone security features of the documents provided
The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
We would welcome applications from individuals who are from underrepresented groups in the organisation
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc. Speech Path or Equivalent (including Dip. CST)
- HPC licence to practise, and Registered member of RCSLT
- Successful completion of specialist post graduate study relevant to communication and specific speech and language disorders e.g., SLI, SLCN and SEBD etc.
- Successful attendance of specialist/expert short courses and other CPD in specialist area eg: AAC or Dysphagia courses etc.
Desirable criteria
- Post Qualification Intermediate Level Certificate in the Management of children with Eating and Drinking Difficulties
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children with complex needs who present with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties and feeding needs.
- Experience implementing a range of therapeutic interventions for children with complex needs in range of settings
- Experience of planning and delivering therapy in small groups
- Experience of training parents, teachers, TA’s and students
- Experience of collaborative, multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working
- Experience of working with children with complex needs, including learning difficulties and challenging behaviour
- Experience of carrying out assessment and differential diagnosis including complex disorders
- Experience of writing statutory assessment/EHCP advice
- Experience of managing demand and setting priority criteria
- Experience of implementing the principles of clinical governance in clinical practice (e.g. clinical audits)
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Specialist knowledge of a range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate the speech, language and communication skills of children with complex needs.
- Up-to-date knowledge of relevant national policies, legislation and guidance relevant to clinical specialism
- Understanding of child protection procedures and responsibilities
- Understanding of statutory processes regarding education for children with special education needs.
- Well established knowledge of a range of specialist therapeutic interventions relevant to clinical specialism
- Ability to manage complaints and prevent escalation wherever possible
Desirable criteria
- An ability to speak a non-European language.
Communication Skills
Essential criteria
- Able to motivate clients and carers to participate in treatment and carry out advice
- Ability to communicate complex information to parents /carers and other professionals in a variety of clinical situations.
- To be able to communicate effectively with children of all ages/abilities and their families
- Able to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and tact.
- Ability to work as part of a broad multidisciplinary team and across organisations
- Able to deal with conflict successfully
Other requirements
Essential criteria
- Flexibility
- Ability to reflect on practice
- Ability to reflect on and indicate training needs
- Ability to take majority of leave in school holidays
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Natalie Pottage
- Job title
- Clinical Coordinator
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07825 340919
No longer accepting applications
Sorry, this vacancy is no longer accepting applications.
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