HealthJobsUK

Job overview

The Therapies department is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with Speech and Language Therapy or Dietetic experience to join our team of integrated therapists working within our OPAL unit. This is a post creates a huge opportunity for the new candidate to extend existing knowledge and skills within the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

You will utilise the knowledge and skills gained through your Foundation degree and/or equivalent work experience to support in the assessment and implementation of Speech and Language Therapy/Dietetic intervention with patients referred to the service.

The OPAL team includes Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy staff from all levels and this post will provide a great opportunity for the development of your inter-professional skills, working closely with other disciplines and community partners.

If successful, you will work flexibly across the 2 professions, led by the needs of each patient. You will be supported with yearly appraisals, weekly in-service training and regular supervision from more senior staff.

Main duties of the job

To provide routine, and some non-routine, clinical and non-clinical support to OPAL unit, following guidelines which have been agreed and set by the Dietitian and SLTs to assess and manage patients with nutritional, communication and swallowing needs.

To accept new patients from OPAL / Dietitians / SLTs and treat according to protocols and guidelines, monitoring patient progression and making minor alterations to patient treatment programs as required

To be able to work with direct or indirect supervision dependent on the complexity of patient/task and recognise limitations of practice and appropriately feedback to the Therapy team. To maintain close communication with the Therapy team to facilitate patient care.

To carry out other duties deemed necessary by the OPAL Ward Manager/Therapy Team in discussion with the post holder to ensure adequate provision of service

To help facilitate a safe and timely discharge of patients receiving Dietetic and SLT care from hospital, and to be involved with the organisation and safe discharge of Patients to community

To hold responsibility for own caseload with access to and support from a qualified Therapist.

To demonstrate own duties to other support workers, students and to provide practical training and education to staff, patients, carers and external agencies.

To use the Trust values at all times as a framework for own behaviour and encourage others to do likewise, ensuring the values underpin all that is done by the Therapy teams.

Working for our organisation

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is a District General Hospital providing acute services to the people of West Essex and East Hertfordshire and has a positive and successful approach to developing and delivering health care.

The Hospital is conveniently located in Harlow, Essex just 25 minutes drive to London Stansted Airport and 25 minutes train ride to London Liverpool Street. Harlow also has excellent road connections across England, with the M11, M25, A10, M1 and A1 all on its doorstep.

This is an exciting time for the Trust. Over the next 5 years we are on a digital transformation journey, leading us to our brand new hospital.

It's never been a better time to join us.