Lead Speech and Language Therapist

Job overview

***This job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested***

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Speech and Language Therapist with significant experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as well as in leadership of SLT to join and lead the SLT team within Access to Communication and Technology (ACT).

The post-holder will work within the diverse caseload relating to Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) with children and adults with communication and language difficulties who need AAC

ACT is a specialist electronic assistive technology service, which is based at the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6JA. We are a service made up of clinicians (Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapists, Health Care Scientists and assistants), technicians, stock and admin staff providing specialist assessment, set up, provision and maintenance of electronic assistive technology to meet the needs of children and adults who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Environmental Control (EC).

We are a friendly, enthusiastic, experienced and supportive team who work collaboratively as part of a national network of similar services, all funded by NHS England.

The post holder will need to work independently and travel widely within the West Midlands region and therefore being a car driver is essential.

Main duties of the job

· Clinical Leadership across the West Midlands in the specialist area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), in accordance with NHS England Service Specification D01/S/b

· Clinical expert in the specialist area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication with responsibility for a significantly complex caseload of predominantly children but also adults all of who are non-verbal or illiterate.

· To deliver an effective, evidence-based Speech and Language Therapy service within ACT. This will include day to day supervision, setting objectives and priorities, monitoring/reviewing performance, absence management, recruitment and conducting appraisals.

· Identify, lead and or participate in service improvement initiatives and projects within ACT, the trust and nationally for AAC. This may include specific projects for individual patients, research, audit, as well as procedure development.

· Provides expert / second opinions to the Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals within ACT, across the West Midlands Region and at a national level.

· To be an active part of the ACT leadership team and deputise for the ACT service lead when necessary.

• To support the appropriate use of the ACT budget as part of the leadership team. To utilise resources only as required to prevent waste with average device costs around £3000 to £6000.

Working for our organisation

IMPORTANT

• Please ensure you check your Trac account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you during the shortlisting and selection process
• Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed fully. Please particularly ensure that you provide full details of all referees including business email address, telephone contact details and postal address
• Please be aware that BCHC utilises a third party recruitment system (TRAC). When applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into TRAC and any correspondence will be sent via TRAC. We advise that you check your junk/spam emails.

BCHC has more than 5000 staff working across Birmingham and the West Midlands in a wide range of community nursing and specialist healthcare roles. BCHC delivers over 100 clinical services, in people's homes, health centres, clinics and inpatient facilities. We deliver a wide range of services for children, young people and families as well as adults and community services, two community hospitals, services for people with learning disabilities, the internationally recognised West Midlands Rehab Centre and one of Europe's leading Dental Hospitals and School of Dentistry. We deliver all of this with a commitment to integrated, personalised care that is rooted in our local communities. We have an ambition to deliver outstanding, integrated care as one of the key NHS providers in the West Midlands.

Working for our organisation

IMPORTANT

• Please ensure you check your Trac account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you during the shortlisting and selection process
• Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed fully. Please particularly ensure that you provide full details of all referees including business email address, telephone contact details and postal address
• Please be aware that BCHC utilises a third party recruitment system (TRAC). When applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into TRAC and any correspondence will be sent via TRAC. We advise that you check your junk/spam emails.

BCHC has more than 5000 staff working across Birmingham and the West Midlands in a wide range of community nursing and specialist healthcare roles. BCHC delivers over 100 clinical services, in people's homes, health centres, clinics and inpatient facilities. We deliver a wide range of services for children, young people and families as well as adults and community services, two community hospitals, services for people with learning disabilities, the internationally recognised West Midlands Rehab Centre and one of Europe's leading Dental Hospitals and School of Dentistry. We deliver all of this with a commitment to integrated, personalised care that is rooted in our local communities. We have an ambition to deliver outstanding, integrated care as one of the key NHS providers in the West Midlands.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Health and Care Professional Council Registration
• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy Registration
• Evidence of recent relevant CPD activities in specialised area

Desirable criteria

• Masters Degree in relevant clinical area or equivalent.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive postgraduate SLT experience
• Significant experience in the SLT management of people who use low and high tech AAC systems, Makaton signing or equivalent.
• Experience of managing or supervising a small team of SLT's on a day to day basis.
• Significant experience of managing a complex and diverse caseload independently, having given advice to others.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Evidence of recent relevant CPD activities in AAC

other

Essential criteria

• Ability to independently travel across the region, therefore car driver with full license

Additional employer information

UK Home Office Visa Sponsorship requirements

In accordance with UK Home Office requirements, Band 2 clinical and non-clinical roles and Band 3 Non-Clinical roles are not eligible for sponsorship.

Please note that the majority of non-clinical roles (Agenda for Change Band 3 - 6) with the exception of those which appear on this list - link, will not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK.

All non-clinical roles (Agenda for Change Bands 7 - 9) that meet the prescribed skill level (RQF 6) and salary threshold will be eligible for sponsorship.

The Trust will accept applications from candidates who can evidence their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes.

Disability Confident Employer and Guaranteed Interview Scheme

BCHC offers a guaranteed interview to any candidate who is Disabled, Neurodiverse, has a hidden or long term health condition as recognised under the Equality Act 2010, providing they meet the essential criteria of the job role, as set out in the person specification. We encourage applicants to submit their applications and to request any reasonable adjustments where required.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As part of our ongoing commitment to being a Great Place to Work, we actively foster and support a workplace culture that is inclusive and equitable for all staff, patients and service users.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with diverse abilities, experiences, and perspectives.

We are also dedicated to supporting the career progression of colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds into this role and more senior roles within the Division and the wider organisation.

Promoting Workforce Equality

In response to data held by BCHC which demonstrates that individuals from particular protected characteristics are under-represented, BCHC are striving to redress these imbalances. In order to do this, the Trust is committed to the employment and career development of individuals with these protected characteristics. As part of this commitment and given this under-representation, the Trust guarantees an interview to any applicants from under-represented groups for positions at Band 8a and above whose application meets the essential criteria for the post as detailed on the Person Specification.

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of people who identify as Black, Minority Ethnic (BME) and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on the basis of merit. In order to ensure the diversity of our workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.

DBS Costs

Please be aware that all new employees starting work with the Trust will be charged for the cost of their DBS check if it is required for the role. The cost will be deducted from your salary in 3 payments over a 3-month period once you start employment. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to these deductions being made. The charges for the DBS include the administration fee. The total costs are £26.40 for a standard check and £54.40 for an enhanced check. The level of check will be determined by the post you are applying for. For bank Workers the full cost of the DBS check (as detailed above) will be deducted from your pay following completion of your online mandatory training. No payment will be made for your online training until it is all complete and verified by the Temporary Staffing Team. Please note: You will not be able to work any bank shifts until you have completed your mandatory training, and your DBS is in place.

Flexible Working

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) supports a variety of flexible working practices and, where possible (given our range of services and community settings) dependent upon the requirements associated with the role, will actively consider requests made and support these where practically possible. This may include hybrid patterns of working to enable colleagues to request the flexibility of a mixture of home/base working.

In accordance with the NHS People Promise, the Trust is committed to facilitating a healthy work/life balance that is essential to health and wellbeing and to making BCHC a 'Great Place to Work'. We will be happy to discuss and consider all requests relating to working patterns and hours at your interview so please do ask!

Using Artificial Intelligence

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust acknowledges Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini etc; are powerful tools that can help you in various stages of your job application and how they can be used in certain circumstances during your application process with BCHC. You canhere

Benefits of working for us

• Full NHS terms and conditions including extensive holidays, Agenda for Change pay with enhancements
• Attractive relocation payment if you relocate to the local area.
• Discounts for local and national retailers
• Dedicated well-being services for all employees
• Flexible working where possible

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.

Documents to download

• ACT SLT Lead JD and person spec (PDF, 216.4KB)
• BCHC Local benefits (PDF, 99.6KB)