Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

Toprovide an independently managed speech and language service to mixed paediatric caseload with complex speech, language and communication difficulties

To provide line management and supervision to less experienced speech and language therapists and assistants as required by the team.

To demonstrate specialist competencies in a specific clinical area with support from the Band seven clinical specialists and to provide supervision to junior staff in this clinical specialism.

SCOPE AND RANGE

Clinical:

To independently manage personal complex caseload with reference to theory, published research and evidence, and agreed best practice.

To identify, collect, analyse, and interpret complex case related information and data from clients, carers and other relevant sources, including cross agency working.

To demonstrate specialist knowledge in a specific area of speech and language therapy and support the development of other staff in this area.

To undertake a range of formal and informal assessments as indicated by the presenting speech, language and communication difficulties (SLCD) and other factors, including analysis of understanding and use of voice, grammar, vocabulary, speech sounds, fluency, social use of language, non-verbal communication, carer-child interaction and play skills, and make judgements from these concerning prioritisation and future management.

To reach differential diagnoses on the basis of assimilated evidence from formal and informal assessments some of which may be conflicting, and with reference to typical and atypical developmental norms and research evidence.

To prioritise and decide on appropriate treatment/management matched to individual client/family need, and to adapt and modify treatment options based on extended clinical expertise whilst ensuring client/carers are fully involved in the decision-making process.

To provide assessment and communication advice in schools, nurseries and other locations for implementation by teacher assistants and other professionals.

To be responsible for writing and dissemination of clinical reports based on assessment and treatment findings to appropriate professionals and relevant others, including legal Education Health and Care Plans and/or documentation for child protection cases.

Autonomous responsibility for admission, prioritisation, management and discharge of clients in relation to personal caseload.

To explain highly complex and sensitive case related information to meet a range of levels of understanding of clients and carers, where anxiety often acts as a barrier and co-operation is not guaranteed. To recognise that the communication difficulty may be the first indicator of deeper more complex problems and to counsel parents and carers accordingly.

To demonstrate empathy and reassurance when providing clients and carers with complex information that has long-term implications for educational and social development e.g. children whose communication difficulties are unlikely to resolve and there are lifelong implications.

To monitor, recognise, assess and evaluate subtle changes in clients conditions and adapt assessment and specialised treatment programmes accordingly, based on extended clinical experience.

To assess the risk to, and vulnerability of, patients and families in relation to timing and manner of treatment and amount of information provided.

To implement the second opinion process as and when necessary, and refer on for highly specialist SLT intervention or multidisciplinary input.

To negotiate with carers/clients and professionals around individual case diagnosis and management where others have less specialist knowledge and/or experience in relation to SLCD, and differences of professional judgement can occur e.g. levels of priority for treatment and impact of the communication difficulty on accessing the educational curriculum.

To allocate cases to, monitor and supervise work of speech and language therapy assistants.

To initiate and/or contribute to multi-agency case discussions and management in relation to complex cases when the need for this has been identified through assessment and observation, including child protection issues, ensuring a well-coordinated care plan and pathway when professional and ethical opinions may differ.

To be responsible for training others about speech & language development and disorders and how to manage these in different contexts to include: nursery staff, teachers, teacher assistants and relevant others.

To reflect on practice both individually and with peers/mentors to identify own strengths and development needs.

Line management:

To have a line management function with support from the team leader, to include:

• mentoring, coaching, counselling and support of staff
• caseload supervision
• undertaking staff appraisals
• monitoring and managing sickness absence
• maintaining confidential Staff Personnel Files according to PCH policy
• recruitment, selection and induction of new staff
• managing performance, disciplinary and grievance

Professional:

To maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

To develop deeper and more specialist professional expertise and clinical skills across a range of speech, language and communication difficulties (SLCD) by working with highly specialist staff, attending Specific Interest Groups (RCSLT), specialist courses, self-directed study and maintaining personal portfolio.

To recognise own professional and clinical boundaries and competencies and seek advice, support and training when necessary with in an individual performance review framework.

To be responsible for evaluating service innovation as agreed by appropriate manager.

To maintain professional and service standards with adherence to local and national guidelines and clinical governance including confidentiality.

To record and update personally generated clinical observations, assessment results, and treatment and advice details in client case notes.

To participate in the Organisations Annual Appraisal Process.

To follow and implement local and national policies with elements of independent professional judgement and to make recommendations for change.

To contribute to local policy and service development through the clinical governance process.

To comply with all infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate to Director of Operations/Chief Executive Office)

To be responsible for maintaining equipment records and the safe use and security of clinical equipment. To identify and request therapy equipment to meet caseload demands (according to service guidelines)

To provide clinical activity data and routine recording of CPD, travel, and other related activity, observing data protection guidelines

To provide clinical and professional education and assessment of SLT students and other AHP students as required.

To take part in research and clinical audit as directed by senior staff, undertake action research with personal caseload and contribute to others research by providing data.

To be able to recognise breakdown/conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support from more senior colleagues to resolve.

Knowledge

Essential

• Working knowledge in use of sign and symbol systems such as Makaton
• Knowledge of the national curriculum and its differentiation for children with additional needs
• Evidence of CPD to maintain and develop specialist competencies and knowledge base, e.g. working with more specialist staff, Clinical Excellence Networks (RCSLT registered) and short specialist courses, self-directed study.

Desirable

• Evidence of attendance at line management training and workshops;
• Knowledge of specialist approaches for CYP with complex SLCN difficulties.

Experience

Essential

• A broad experience of at least 24 months with a mixed paediatric caseload
• Experience of working unsupervised across a range of NHS and non NHS settings
• Experience of parent support and liaison
• Experience of supervising assistants
• Experience of providing placement education for SLT students

Desirable

• Ability to provide specialist advice and training for less experienced/skilled colleagues and parents/carers.
• Experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience of line management.
• Specific experience working with a specialist caseload.

Skills

Essential

• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate highly complex information to meet a range of levels in understanding of clients and carers.
• Ability to negotiate and explain complex case related information about speech & language development and disorders to a range of audiences.
• Ability to pass on skills to carers and other professionals to enable them to carry out communication advice for complex communication disorders.
• Ability to motivate and develop parents and other professionals and to work collaboratively.
• Ability to implement and adapt specialised treatment programmes from a range of options based on extended specialist clinical experience.
• Ability to identify, collect, analyse, and interpret complex case related information.
• Knowledge and experience of clinical governance.
• Ability to recognise own clinical competencies and the need for onward referral for more highly specialist advice
• Ability to reflect on practice to identify own strengths and development needs
• Ability to demonstrate effective team working
• Ability to travel to locations across Plymouth

Desirable

• Ability to make a differential diagnosis on the basis of assimilated evidence from assessments some of which may be conflicting.

Qualifications

Essential

• Specialist graduate level education in speech and language therapy
• Membership of RCSLT
• HCPC registration
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Training in a clinical specialism.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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