Job overview

An exciting position has arisen within our community Speech and Language Therapy Team with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for a pro-active, enthusiastic team-player to join our busy department based at Friarage Hospital in a new band 5 role.

You will join a friendly and supportive team. The role will involve working independently with outpatients who have communication and swallowing difficulties (as possible and dependent on training). We are a busy department, therefore suitable applicants will need to be organised and flexible within a varied working day.

Due to the complex nature of the patients we work with, applicants will need to demonstrate a compassionate and caring nature, with excellent communication skills. The position involves independent working in the community so being able to drive and having a car is essential. 

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide a comprehensive clinical service for adults living in the community in the beautiful Hambleton and Richmondshire (H & R) area. This will include patients with speech, language and swallowing needs. Dysphagia training will be provided if required. 

The role will involve outpatient appointments, domiciliary visits, care home visits and possibly some virtual work. The H & R SLT team covers a large and often rural geographical area.

The successful candidate will have knowledge, skills and experience of working with both dysphagia and communication patients with a range of diagnoses including for example; elderly patients, functional neurological disorders, stroke, respiratory and both progressive (e.g. Parkinson's Disease or Motor Neurone Disease) and non-progressive neurological disorders (e.g. post stroke or head injury).

The post-holder will ensure that patients have access to an appropriate range of alternative or augmentative communication aids and assist the patient with the use and maintenance of these aids. 

They will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to maximize the rehabilitation potential of patients. 

Presentation and training skills are essential as the post-holder will deliver education and training to patients, carers and other healthcare professionals.

Working for our organisation

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East. 
At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If you’re looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients’ lives, HDFT could be the place for you! 
We offer colleagues:
•    A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
•    Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards. 
•    Employee Support and wellbeing – we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service. 
Please note:
•    Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications
•    Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application. 
•    Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.