Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Come and work for one of the longest-running charities and independent hospitals in the UK. Set in a beautiful Grade II listed Victorian building with big gardens, the RHN has specially adapted facilities such as gyms and kitchens for our residents, as well as music and art therapy spaces.

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability is more than a hospital – we are a community in which everyone comes together to help adults with neurological disability achieve the best possible quality of life.

Salary range: £52,851 – £55,866 depending on experience

Department: Compass Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology Service – NHSE Specialised AAC Service

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week

Contract Type: Fixed term contract (maternity cover, 1 year)

Location: Putney, Southwest London

Closing date: November 22nd

Benefits:

• Free counselling and therapy sessions and other mental wellbeing support through our partner CIC Wellbeing
• Get involved in our free on-site wellbeing programs, including weekly yoga, and monthly pottery club (we are the UK’s only hospital with its own kiln)
• Financial support services such as low-interest loans and help with savings accounts through our partnership with London Capital Credit Union
• Join our wellbeing networks to connect with people in our hospital; we have a Pride network, Women’s network, and our Race Equality network. We also have heritage events to celebrate the diversity of our workforce – most recently we had a South East Asian celebration.
• Free on-site parking (rare in London)
• More benefits: Cycle2Work scheme, tech purchase support scheme, Blue Light Card discounts, and more.

About the role

The Compass Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology Service is a multi-disciplinary team comprising Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Technologists and other technicians. It provides an external assessment service to individuals living with a disability in community settings. As a team we offer high levels of professional support and supervision as well as regular team meetings. We are highly committed to continuing professional development and have a clinical supervision programme in place for all staff.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Speech and Language therapist to extend their knowledge and skills in electronic assistive technology, specifically augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). You will have specialist skills in the management of communication disorders for a wide range of adult client groups and an ability to assess for and implement both high-tech and low-tech AAC systems.

You will work within the multi-disciplinary team in assessing for, prescribing, setting-up and maintaining electronic assistive technology for individuals in the community who have been referred by community teams for specialist complex AAC assessment. You will also participate in training and support of community teams and participate in other service development activities within the team.

This is a fixed term contract of 1 year to cover maternity leave.

Person specification: Essential and Desirable

• Registered with HCPC – Essential
• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree – Essential
• Previous work within the field of AAC (not necessarily high tech) – Essential
• Knowledge of the principles of assessment and management of communication disorders in adults – Essential
• Highly specialist clinical skills including knowledge and use of a wide range of assessments, diagnosis evidence based intervention and evaluation methods to support best practice – Essential
• Ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team – Essential
• Technical skills in setting up and modifying AAC systems and software – Desirable
• Knowledge of current AAC hardware and software and associated access equipment – Desirable
• Excellent organisation and time management skills – Essential
• Current valid UK driving license – Essential

For further information please contact: Jane Bache, 07818 527776, email jbache@rhn.org.uk (Wed to Fri)

Candidates applying for a role at the Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and Influenza.

RHN is a care provider for vulnerable patients at extreme risk. In consequence, safeguarding patients will always be our highest priority.

RHN is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer that respects and values the differences of our people to achieve their full potential. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our Resourcing Team at recruitment@rhn.org.uk.uk