Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

You can achieve more at St Andrew’s Healthcare

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and compassionate Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our supportive SLT team at St Andrew’s Healthcare covering the Neuropsychiatry inpatient service at St Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton.

We are committed to improving the quality and experience of patients in our care. We are looking for a Specialist SLT who is interested in developing their knowledge and skills working in complex neuro-disability and neuro-rehabilitation, and is passionate about advocating for patients with complex mental health and communications needs.

The SLT service at St Andrew’s Healthcare is a centralised team, responsible for supporting some of the most vulnerable people with their communication and dysphagia needs. Our experienced SLT team provide triage, assessment and interventions for communication and dysphagia across a number of specialties including women’s and men’s Mental Health, Neuropsychiatry (e.g. Huntington’s Disease, Dementia, Acquired Brain Injury), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability and CAMHS. Whilst this post is to work in the Neuropsychiatry service, there may be requirements for working in other services in the future.

Successful candidates will provide specialist evidence-based communication and dysphagia input to meet the needs of a complex patient group and support the multidisciplinary approach to holistic, patient centred care and recovery within a specialty field. They will receive direct support from a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, as well as peer support from other Specialists within the team.

Our vision is to be at the forefront of specialist SLT provisions working within Mental Health. The successful candidate will be pro-active and accountable, and will be involved in ongoing service development projects to help us achieve this goal.

What you can expect from us:

• Daily access to Highly Speciality SLT for mentoring/ coaching
• Access to experienced members of the SLT and wider AHP teams
• Monthly SLT (service management/ professional development) meeting
• Protected continuing personal and professional development time
• An opportunity to work with a dynamic, forward-thinking therapy team

Qualifications/education/Training

• BSc Speech and Language degree, or equivalent 
• HCPC registered and RCSLT membership 
• Recognised UK RCSLT dysphagia training or evidence of RCSLT competency sign off to at least Level C.
• RCSLT NQP competency sign off

Experience

• Minimum of 1 year experience working within relevant specialist areas (e.g. Brain Injury, Stroke, Progressive Neurodegenerative Conditions, Dementia, Mental Health).
• Experience of independently managing a dysphagia caseload
• Demonstrates knowledge of assessment and intervention relevant to specialist client groups, underpinned by theory and practical experience.
• Experience of working in a forensic or secure service would be desirable.

Knowledge and skills

• Specialist clinical knowledge in neuro-disability and neuro-rehabilitation.
• Demonstrates knowledge of assessment and intervention relevant to specialist client groups, underpinned by theory and practical experience.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act, including experience of independently leading on capacity assessments and best interest decisions.  

Personal attributes

• Evidence of personal resilience and aptitude for dealing with challenging, potentially distressing and highly emotional clinical work in a secure setting.
• Demonstrates flexibility to meet the demands of the service.

Other

• An Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.
• Ability to undertake mandatory relevant training, including Safety Intervention Training.

St Andrew’s Rewards:

• Competitive annual leave and salary
• Car lease scheme
• Free parking
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare Discounts
• Career development
• Blue light card
• Training and Development
• Great pension scheme

For further details, please contact:
If you would like to know more, we warmly welcome an informal discussion with one of our team;

 Kim Ferrari, Lead SLT, KJFerrari@stah.orgor