Clinical Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist

Oxford University Hospitals Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and innovative Clinical Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist within our adult inpatient team on a permanent basis.

The post holder will be a Senior Speech & Language Therapist and will be a core member of the Acute SLT team based at the John Radcliffe (JR) Hospital. The post holder will take a major role in supporting the SLT team both clinically and operationally. The team provides a service to all major clinical areas, including Critical Care, Geratology, Stroke, Complex Medicine, Front Door, Cardiothoracics, Trauma and Neurosciences. Clinically, applicants will be able to use their established skills in managing complex dysphagia and communication disorders, with additional skills highly desirable (e.g. VFS, FEES, tracheostomy). In addition, you will have the desire to embed excellence and patient-centred care in everyday practice and desire to undertake service improvement projects. Operationally, this position presents an excellent opportunity for leadership-oriented applicants to develop their service development, supervisory and operational management skills with support provided by Band 7 peers and the SLT Service Manager.

For an informal discussion please contact Charlie Howland, Service Manager for Adult Speech & Language Therapy on 01865743137 or emailcharlotte.howland@ouh.nhs.uk

The post holder will be the operational lead for the team, and alongside the Clinical Lead for Neurosciences, work together to promote service developments and innovation within the team. We are looking for someone who is excited about providing evidence-based care and is able to demonstrate good leadership skills. The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, enjoy working in a multi-disciplinary team and be able to demonstrate an adaptable approach in a fast-paced environment, whilst meeting guidelines and standards. You will work closely with, and be supported by, the other Clinical Leads and Service Manager to ensure Speech and Language Therapy services are effective and patient-centred.

We meet regularly for team operational and management meetings. Personal development, support, appraisal, education and ongoing training for all the team is key to the service. We hold regular journal clubs and encourage development opportunities, including the potential to engage in audits and research within the Therapies service. The Oxford Universities setting provides opportunities for building a stronger research, teaching and academic ethos in the longer term.

Oxford is a vibrant, historical city with easy access to the beautiful Cotswolds countryside, great transport links and the ability to travel to London in 40 minutes.

This is a full time post but we can provide the opportunity to be flexible for the right candidate so please do not hesitate to contact for an informal discussion. We look forward to meeting you.

The post holder will:
Use highly specialist clinical skills to identify, assess, diagnose and manage a specialist caseload of adults with acquired swallowing and communication disorders, including tracheostomy, across a complex general medical caseload. They will select the appropriate intervention for effective, evidence-based therapy.

Be involved in the delivery of the Videofluoroscopy service within the Trust, providing objective assessment and management of complex dysphagia, supervising the development of junior staff competencies and promoting service developments.

Take a clinical lead role for the SLT team working in acute general medicine at the John Radcliffe and Horton Hospitals, with the responsibility for line management and appraisal for team members working at lower grades and ongoing management of performance.

Take a clinical lead role in service developments in this area and take responsibility for service wide developments as appropriate.

Have a specialist advisory role for the Trust in these specialty areas, giving service-wide second and expert opinions.

Independently take students on placement for clinical teaching and supervision, including exam placements.

Provide necessary cover for the caseloads / workloads of other SLTs and Clinical Leads within the