Job overview

Are looking for a new role, are passionate about working with people living with dementia and/or mental health difficulties, and would like to be part of a dynamic and friendly speech and language therapy team? 
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our small SLT older adult mental health (OAMH) inpatient team. 
The post is advertised as a band 6, however, applicants who do not currently meet the skills and competences for the band 6 role, are encouraged to apply, this includes newly qualified SLTs or students expecting to qualify this year. 
If successful, you will be appointed under annex 21 rules supported by a development plan for up to 3 years as required. During the first-year payment will be 65% of the top rate of band 6 pay, second year 70% and third year 75% (subject to criteria within the development plan being met).
Following successful completion and successful attainment of skills and competences required for the role the postholder will then be paid at the full band 6 (minimum point on the scale following the usual pay steps). Continued support and supervision will be provided to develop the practitioner to the band 6 role. This will be an excellent development opportunity for a newly qualified or Band 5 SLTs looking for career development.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for:
•    Providing specialist clinical advice around maximising and supporting our patients’ speech, language and communication strengths in order to facilitate positive and meaningful participation within ward life and beyond. 
•    Contribute to providing dementia-friendly mealtime experiences ensuring eating, drinking and swallowing needs are efficiently identified and appropriately managed through supportive strategies and environments. 
•    In order to achieve this, you will:
o    Support others including families to implement communication care plans to enable our patients to access ward activities including recovery programmes and interventions, engage in social opportunities, and exercise autonomy through decision -making. 
o    Contribute to the design and delivery of projects working towards improving communication environments through embedding good communication strategies and standards.
o    Contributing to design and delivery of group-based communication interventions to increase opportunities for socialising and relationship building during admission.
o    Be actively involved in holistic MDT discussions and care planning relating to differential diagnosis, treatment planning as well as issues of safeguarding, capacity and decision making, and complex behavioural issues where communication needs are unmet.  
o    Work closely with nursing and AHP colleagues to embed positive approaches to mealtimes within the OAMH ward setting.

Working for our organisation

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your speciality or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed.  Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.