Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and highly skilled Speech & Language Therapist to lead adult acute and community services across North Cumbria and act as Professional Lead across the whole organisation including paediatrics. With the Lake District, the coast and the historic city of Carlisle on your doorstep alongside a clinically-led and diverse organisation spanning acute and community care, a work-life balance is guaranteed.



This role requires a forward thinking SLT with the skills to utilise the specialist clinical practice that already exists within the team, with strategic and operational leadership, utilising innovation to evaluate, develop, implement and analyse working practices within the SLT service through the use of evidence based practice, audit, research and outcome measures to ensure effective and efficient pathways of care and service delivery for the population of North Cumbria.



As the Head of SLT you will provide strategic, operational, professional, clinical leadership and governance for SLTs. Alongside the Associate Director of AHPs and AHP leads you will play an integral role in the fulfilment of NCIC's focus and vision of moving care closer to home. You will also lead on workforce development with an emphasis on recruitment, retention, role development and lead on developing research and education within the profession and with academic partners.



To provide leadership to the professional staff group within the System ensuring that professional standards are set, implemented, monitored and maintained.



To manage the service specific staff within SLT Services to include recruitment, retention through career development and appraisal, management of poor performance and sickness absence.



To represent The Profession within the System and externally participating in professional and multi- agency forums across the region and nationally as required ensuring the wider contribution from the profession.



To work closely with the ADAHP to develop an environment of flexibility and interdisciplinary co-operation leading to the provision of a comprehensive and responsive professional service to patients and carers.



To provide professional advice to Clinical care Groups and Partnership Organisations based upon evidence and good practice.



To take a lead role in workforce planning and career structure design for the profession within the System to inform recruitment and retention within the service.



To ensure that the service is provided within designated budget, identifying and delivering efficiency measures as appropriate.



To oversee the education of the professions' students, co-ordinating practice placements and liaising with University and Colleges



To be responsible for own continued professional development



To hold a clinical commitment across adult acute and community care



At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.



Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':



Being a clinically led organisation Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust A positive patient experience every time A great place to work Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.



Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.



Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.



CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP



Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).



If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.



Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.



AHP - Return to Practice Job Advert information (Please ask recruiting manager and delete if not appropriate) This role may be suitable for individuals Returning to Practice. Please speak to the recruiting manager for more information.

Disclosure and Barring Service:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.



The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:

Standard Check:

21.50 + Administration cost of 5.90 = 27.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.

Enhanced Check:

49.50 + administration cost of 5.90 = 55.40. Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.



NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:



27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years



Flexible working Scheme



NHS Discounts*



Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*



Excellent opportunities for development*



Competitive NHS Pension scheme



Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems



Subject to eligibility

Important Information



Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.



If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.



Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.