The Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) will be responsible for delivery of highly specialised care within the ICU. The Clinical Specialist will deliver high quality, efficient and evidence based SLT service to inpatients referred from Critical Care areas with communication and swallowing disorders.  This will include patients with tracheostomies, ventilator dependency and those with highly complex clinical presentations.

The specialist will be responsible for provision of transitional care for patients with ongoing complex needs secondary to an ICU admission. He/she will oversee the development of the Critical Care SLT service in line with best available evidence and new  and emerging working practices and relevant legislation

The Clinical Specialist SLT will:

 Work closely with the Critical Care MDT Providing leadership and direction to the Critical Care Team as appropriate within his/her own scope of practice.

Act as senior decision-maker, with recommendations regarding dysphagia and communication within the scope of SLT practice.

Contribute to the overall operation and development of the communication and swallowing service within the hospital in collaboration with the SLT Manager and other SLTs within the department.

Communicate effectively with patients, caregivers, MDT members and other relevant stakeholders.

Analyse service demands and be proactive with regards to quality improvement and patient focused initiatives.

A panel may be created from which future vacancies, fulltime, parttime, permanent or temporary may be filled.

Candidates must at the latest date of application:

     (I)  Candidates must demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the required area of specialism, in the form of post –graduate qualifications or relevant courses.

                                         AND

     (ii) Candidates must demonstrate achievement in the areas of clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives, practice development, teaching and research

                                       AND

    (iii) Provide proof of statutory registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued.

                                      AND

Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in working with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders including working at a specialist level with tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients

                                    AND

Demonstrate a proven record of training and competency with regards to VFU and FEES examinations

Statutory registration, professional Qualifications, experience etc.

• eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date of application have the following :

• Be registered , or be eligible for registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU

                          AND

• Have 5 years full time (or an aggregate of five years) post registration qualification experience. Of which 4 years full time or an aggregate of four years post registration qualification clinical experience must be in the required area of specialism

                          AND

• Demonstrate a proven record of excellence in the specialism

                        AND

• Provide proof of statutory registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU  before a contract of employment can be issued

A recognised dysphagia qualification or equivalent as outlined in “standards of practice for Speech and Language Therapists on the Management of Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Disorders” IASLT 2015

Annual registration

Post Specific:

Demonstrate a proven record of training and competency with regards to VFU and FEES examinations

Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience in working with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders including working with tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients

Please see attached job spec:

clinical specialist critical care OLOL 2025