Speech and Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

1.JOB TITLE: SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPIST Learning Disability (full time post)

2.ORGANISATION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reports to:Speech and Language Therapy Manager

Head of Learning Programmes

Liaises with:Students and their families/carers

Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Allied Health Professionals

External Agencies

3.MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB:

To enable students to communicate successfully through the design, development, and delivery of specialist therapy programmes for learners with complex communication needs, in a range of contexts and settings. To provide professional advice, training, and information to College staff.

4.PRIMARY TASKS:

To assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for learners with complex communication needs, to support their development and learning. To be responsible and accountable for the management of learners within a personal caseload.

To design, develop and monitor therapy programmes delivered by Therapy Assistants and other College staff.

To promote the development of students communication skills across College, supporting wider learning.

To refer students to other agencies as appropriate.

To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to meet the needs of students with complex physical and learning difficulties, communicating effectively with students, their carers, members of the multi-disciplinary team and outside agencies.

To demonstrate professional knowledge underpinned by current evidence-based practice.

To ensure that students have an understanding of what they are doing in therapy and why it is relevant to them. With students who lack capacity to understand, to work in their best interest.

To contribute to assessments of capacity where necessary, including joint working with other relevant professionals and attendance at Best Interest Meetings as required.

To accurately record all therapeutic interventions and ensure written and

electronic documentation is completed in accordance with College and professional standards, protocols, and guidelines.

To contribute to student specific meetings and Annual Review processes, including preparing reports and documentation to a high standard.

To communicate effectively with students, the multi-disciplinary team, internal and external agencies, voluntary organisations, families, and carers,

Including clinical judgements of a sensitive or contentious nature.

To create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships with:

students, the multi-disciplinary team, internal and external agencies, voluntary organisations, families, and carers.

To provide advice, guidance, and support for Speech and Language Therapy Assistants.

To use professional knowledge to participate in service and policy development as required.

To contribute to training, coaching, and mentoring of staff in developing best working practices across College and meet organisational goals.

To undertake relevant training to maintain and develop best practice and meet professional registration and student needs.

To work as an autonomous practitioner, with support and development provided in line with your level of clinical experience through regular Clinical Supervision, reflective practice, peer support/review, graded observations, and formal training opportunities.

To provide clinical and statistical information including audits and outcome measures on a regular basis or as required.

To maintain student confidentiality, unless the consequences of disclosure are detrimental to students, staff, and College.

To comply with all National Star College policies and procedures and the professional Codes of Practice as defined by the Royal College of Speech and Language and Health and Care Professionals Councils.

To participate in the College self-assessment processes and the review of College policies and procedures as required.

To promote a professional image and raise the profile and the role of the Speech and Language Therapy service both within the College and the wider community.

To be responsive to the unpredictable demands of the post, undertaking other duties that may be within the scope of the role function.

Safeguarding

The college takes seriously its responsibility for safeguarding. It is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young adults and children, and requires that all staff share this responsibility and act accordingly by applying organisational policy and procedure and attending annual safeguarding training.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Through personal example and clear action demonstrate commitment to equality and diversity ensuring equality of access and treatment in employment and service delivery to all.

Health & Safety

Promote the colleges Health and Safety at Work Policy and Procedure and ensure these are implemented effectively within the department.

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists degree level qualification
• Membership of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Licence to Practice

Desirable

• Other relevant level 5 qualifications

Experience

Essential

• Demonstration of professional knowledge, underpinned by current evidence-based practice
• Knowledge of a broad range of professional formal and informal assessment methods and their interpretation

Desirable

• Experience of working in an educational setting
• Experience of working in a residential setting
• Experience of working across multiple locations
• Experience of working within the field of PMLD,AAC,ASD,ABI
• Experience of completing Dysphagia assessments
• Experience of providing Clinical Supervision
• Membership of relevant CENs

Other

Essential

• IT skills, able to competently use Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Powerpoint
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post.
• Support the ethos of the College and be fit to work with vulnerable adults and children

Desirable

• Full driving licence

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Ability to identify own professional development needs and develop a professional portfolio within the appraisal framework, including specific objectives related to clinical specialism
• Ability to write concisely and summarise information
• Excellent time management skills
• Knowledge of and adherence to the College and Speech and Language Therapy Service policies and procedures, national guidelines, and professional standards
• Skill in selection of appropriate strategies for prioritisation and management of a complex caseload
• Professional skills in assessment, differential diagnosis, and targeting of clinical interventions
• Highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of clients
• Flexibility in regard to the demands of the environment, including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions

Desirable

• Makaton, Signalong or BSL
• Intensive Interaction, Total Communication, multisensory approaches
• AAC programming such as Grid 3, Boardmaker, Communicate in Print, Widgit Online

Personal

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Negotiation skills
• Good presentation skills
• Innovative and creative
• Adaptable and flexible

Desirable

• Excellent presentation skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).