--- In slt-vacancies-northern@yahoogroups.com, "Liz Panton
<slt_vacancies_northern_owner@y...>"
<slt_vacancies_northern_owner@y...> wrote:

Research Speech and Language Clinician

VOICE, SPEECH AND SWALLOWING PROBLEMS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE:
PREVALENCE, NATURE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT

We are seeking an enthusiastic clinician to join the dynamic, multi-
disciplinary team based in Sunderland Royal Hospital undertaking this
major community wide investigation funded by the Parkinson's Disease
Society.

You will be responsible for conducting the SLT assessments and follow-
up interviews and will assist in the processing and writing up of
information gathered. Expert support and guidance will be available
to you for all aspects of the project. The post offers an excellent
opportunity to gain research skills while making a significant
contribution to the development of services for people with
Parkinson's disease.

We offer a 2 year full time contract from April 1st 2003, research
grade RA1A-6 (approx. SLT spine points 24-25). Job share would be
favourably considered. Informal enquiries to Dr. Nick Miller (Tel:
0191 222 5603) email Nicholas.Miller@n... Applications with a
full CV, and names and addresses of 2 referees should be forwarded to
Dr. Nick Miller, Speech and Language Sciences, King George VI
Building, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.

Job Reference: A799R Closing date: 27
January 2003


Research Speech and Language Clinician

VOICE, SPEECH AND SWALLOWING PROBLEMS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE:
PREVALENCE, NATURE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT

The project:
Little detail is available on the precise prevalence of voice, speech
and swallowing problems in Parkinson's disease (PD). Furthermore
there exists a lack of information of the impact of any problems on
the life of the person with PD and their family. Without this our
understanding of how PD affects people and how to plan effective
support services for people with PD and their families remains
incomplete. This project funded by the British Parkinson's Disease
Society seeks to address this gap in a community-wide study of people
with Parkinson's Disease.

What does the post entail?:
You will carry out voice, speech and swallowing assessments with
people recruited to the project. These will include impairment level
assessments of these areas; complementary measurements of
intelligibility and perceptual aspects of speech and voice; and
evaluation of how any swallowing or communication problems limit
activities and restrict the life of individuals involved. A subgroup
of people will be followed up with more detailed interviews, which
you will conduct. You will assist in processing and evaluating data
gathered and in writing up reports and publications from the project.

What skills are needed?:
You must have experience in clinical assessment of communication
difficulties, preferably in individuals with acquired neurological
conditions. A speech-language therapy qualification is desirable, but
candidates with a background in clinical psychology, clinical
linguistics, nursing or other allied health profession will be
considered. Full training and ongoing expert support in all aspects
of the post will be available throughout from senior members of the
team. Some assessments and interviews may take place at people'
homes. For this reason it is desirable to hold a driving license.

Where and with whom will I be working?:
The research team is based in Sunderland Royal Hospital. You will be
a member of a multi-disciplinary group from the Department of Speech
and Regional Neuroscience Centre University of Newcastle/ Newcastle
General Hospital, and the School of Health, Community and Education
Studies, University of Northumbria. Other team members include a
neurologist, speech language therapist, physiotherapy researcher,
phonetician and statistician. The investigation is being conducted in
close liaison with complementary research into orthostatic
hypotension, risk factors for cognitive decline and the economic
burden of Parkinson's disease.
--- End forwarded message ---