Locum Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist - Early Supported Discharge Service for Stroke Patients

Acute Hospital and Community Hospital/Community Setting

• £30 per hour
• Hours are 37.5 across 6 days (Mon - Sat)
• 1 month Contract (to be extended thereafter)
• Gravesend, Kent, DA11

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Locum Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join our Early Supported Discharge Service for Stroke Patients. The successful candidate will play a critical role in facilitating the early transition of stroke patients from acute hospital care to their own homes or community hospital settings by providing specialized speech and language therapy interventions. This role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams, patients, and their families to promote communication and swallowing recovery, optimize functional independence, and facilitate successful rehabilitation outcomes in the community setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive speech and language assessments of stroke patients within the acute hospital setting to determine their communication and swallowing abilities, identify impairments, and establish rehabilitation goals.
• Develop individualized speech and language therapy treatment plans in collaboration with patients, their families, and multidisciplinary team members, focusing on functional communication, speech clarity, cognitive-communication skills, and safe swallowing strategies.
• Provide direct speech and language therapy interventions to stroke patients, including therapeutic exercises, cognitive-communication activities, speech drills, and swallowing rehabilitation techniques, adapting interventions to meet patients' changing needs and abilities.
• Implement evidence-based interventions and therapeutic approaches to address speech and language deficits, promote compensatory strategies, and support patients' participation in daily activities and social interactions.
• Collaborate closely with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate integrated care plans, address interdisciplinary goals, and optimize patient outcomes.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, and ward rounds to review patient progress, discuss treatment plans, and coordinate discharge planning processes for early supported discharge.
• Conduct home visits and assessments to support the transition of stroke patients from the acute hospital to their own homes or community hospital settings, providing education, training, and support to patients and their caregivers.
• Provide education and support to patients and their families regarding stroke recovery, communication strategies, swallowing management, and community resources, empowering them to actively participate in the rehabilitation process.
• Document all speech and language assessments, interventions, and progress notes accurately and comprehensively in electronic health records, ensuring compliance with professional and organizational standards and maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Engage in continuous professional development activities to enhance clinical knowledge, skills, and competencies in stroke rehabilitation and speech and language therapy, staying abreast of current research findings and best practices.
• Adhere to professional standards, codes of conduct, and regulatory requirements governing speech and language therapy practice, including safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, and maintaining professional boundaries.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Speech and Language Therapy from a recognized institution.
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Minimum of five years of post-qualification experience in speech and language therapy, with specific experience working with stroke patients in acute and community settings.
• Specialist knowledge and skills in stroke rehabilitation, dysphagia management, and cognitive-communication therapy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport, establish effective relationships with patients and families, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team environment, demonstrating flexibility, adaptability, and teamwork.
• Proficiency in using electronic health record systems and other relevant technology tools for documentation, communication, and information management.
• Commitment to providing patient-centered care, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for the needs of stroke patients and their families.