Speech & Language Therapist– Acute Rehab at Lenmed Private Hospitals

Main Focus Areas

• A vacancy exists for a Locum Speech Therapist within the Acute Rehabilitation Unit at eThekwini Hospital & Heart Centre. This successful candidate will report to the Therapy Manager. The Group is committed to creating places of healing for their communities, focused on attracting the best expertise and dedicated to building a steadfast, devoted team.

Key Performance Areas: (include but are not limited to)

• Provide holistic speech and language therapy to in-patients in a rehabilitation setting.
• Assess and manage patients with conditions such as stroke (CVA), traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), orthopedic injuries, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and other multi-morbidity conditions.
• Conduct swallowing risk assessments for all relevant patients upon admission and prior to initiating oral feeds.
• Monitor safe swallowing and feeding practices during meals (breakfast and lunch) in collaboration with nursing staff and rehabilitation attendants.
• Work closely with the dietician to determine appropriate dietary needs and food/fluid consistencies.
• Educate patients and families on communication and swallowing disorders.
• Provide training to nursing staff and rehab attendants on safe swallow techniques, texture modifications, and fluid consistencies.
• Participate in career training and discharge planning.
• Attend and contribute to weekly team and family meetings.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely clinical records and reports.
• Handle clinical queries effectively and professionally.
• Work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient care.
• Contribute to ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) within the unit.
• Supervise and support university students during clinical placements, as required.
• Maintain strong, productive relationships with referral sources and stakeholders in the field of rehabilitation.

Post Requirements: (include but are not limited to)

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
• Good standing with the HPCSA and full compliance with all applicable health care legislation.
• Current BLS/CPR certification
• A minimum of 3–5 years of clinical experience in an acute hospital or rehabilitation setting, with demonstrated clinical competence.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in electronic health records and therapy documentation systems.
• Solid understanding of clinical practice management, including resource planning and service coordination within a rehabilitation or hospital unit.
• Strong knowledge and experience in the implementation and coordination of individualized care plans, with the ability to facilitate effective therapy interventions to achieve measurable clinical outcomes.

CLOSING DATE

2025/12/31