Speech and Language Therapist

The SLT team have extensive expertise in the management of patients with stroke, neurology, critical care, neuro-oncology, general medicine, head and neck cancer (including laryngectomy), and voice disorders. The SLT team place a high value on the acquisition and development of evidence based clinical skills for the benefit of patients. We offer a supportive environment with regular team meetings and a rolling in-service CPD programme.

The SLT team are committed to sharing best practice in the fields of acquired communication and swallow disorders, so provide regular training sessions for doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants.

• Using your skilled clinical reasoning, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients seeking advice from senior colleagues when necessary.
• Ensuring patients, carers and families are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible (including family meetings and keyworker role on the Stroke unit).
• Ensuring patients give informed consent prior to treatment, working within the legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to give valid consent.
• Formulating and delivering individual therapy programmes based on current evidence-based practice (EBP) and evaluation of outcomes.
• Lead on planning and running the weekly communication group on the Stroke unit.
• Ensuring a well-co-ordinated care plan/patient pathway through discussion of therapy findings and planned goals.
• Communicating complex condition-related information from assessment to patients, carers, families and members of Multi-Disciplinary team/other professions.
• Writing discharge reports reflecting specialist knowledge.
• Providing teaching and training (formal and informal) to Student Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) and members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
• Generate appropriate strategies for caseload management.
• Participation in Quality Improvement and research opportunities.

The post holder will have the opportunity to rotate across the Stroke & Neurology and Acute Medical SLT teams. We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated therapists with a keen desire to learn the skills necessary to excel in these rotations. Ideal candidates will have completed post-graduate competencies in acquired dysphagia management and have experience of working in an acute hospital setting at a band 5 level.

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us.

We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure.

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