Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Role summary

1. Assess, diagnose and manage patients with communication and swallowing difficulties within The Walton Centre.

2. To support the Principal Speech and Language Therapist in the day to day allocation of work across the acute and critical care service.

3. To provide bedside and objective dysphagia assessments as indicated

Key Responsibilities / Clinical duties

1. To provide assessment, diagnosis, advice and treatment of patients with complex acquired communication and swallowing disorders.

2. To devise individual treatment plans for patients with acquired communication and/or swallowing disorders

3. To record assessment and therapy results in medical records ad Speech and Language case notes.

4. To liaise with other members of the Multi-disciplinary team, such as doctors, nurses and other Allied Health Professionals and inform them of assessment results.

5. To train and advise carers and staff involved inpatient care, as appropriate.

6. To make decisions regarding timing of discharge from the Service based on outcomes of clinical interventions.

7. To liaise with other teams, agencies, and Speech and Language Therapists in referring for outpatient follow-up on discharge from hospital.

8. To carry out day to day administration of the Acquired Neurological Service.

9. To be responsible for ordering and maintaining records of communication aids for patients with Acquired Neurological Disorders

10. To attend ward meetings and case conferences where possible.

11. To maintain appropriate and regular case records.

12. To keep accurate statistical information in accordance with departmental policy.

13. To attend Speech and Language Therapy meetings.

14. To participate in orientation and induction of staff in liaison with the Principal Speech and Language Therapist.

15. To provide cover for other parts of the service as requested by the Principal Speech and Language Therapist.

16. To keep Principal Speech and Language Therapist informed of any changes in the service or variation in demand.

17. To carry out any other duties appropriate to grade of post as delegated by the Principal Speech and Language Therapist.

Clinical Governance

1. To provide departmental data to the Principal Speech and Language Therapist /Therapy Manager regarding patients with Acquired neurological disorders.

2. To be aware of evidenced based practice and best practice principles of care regarding new techniques and treatment methods within the field of Acquired Neurological Disorders.

3. To accept and adhere to policies and standards set by The Walton Centre Speech and Language Therapy Department

4. To participate in departmental clinical audit including ongoing evaluation of clinical outcomes.

5. To comply with Health and Safety Regulations

6. To participate in annual Clinical Governance audit and assist Principal Speech and Language Therapist in the development and implementation of a Clinical Governance action plan especially in relation to patients with acquired neurological disorders

7. To participate in risk assessments in liaison with Principal Speech and Language Therapist.

Training and development

1. To be involved in the placement of clinical observers in the department including work experience students.

2. To provide undergraduate students training and teaching at training establishments, as requested.

3. To supervise / support newly qualified Speech and Language Therapists in the department. To include advice and feedback on clinical work, prioritisation of caseload and management of time.

4. To train and supervise Speech and Language therapy assistants

5. To provide in-service training to other staff members as appropriate, by identifying needs and initiating training workshops/talks with support from senior therapists

6. To actively seek information relating to developments in the treatment of patients with acquired neurological disorders.

7. To attend training courses relating to specialist clinical areas.

8. To participate in Personal Performance Plan system, setting targets and objectives for development of skills and competencies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Post graduate dysphagia training.

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge and application of different assessments and therapy approaches for speech, language and communication impairments.
• Experience of delivering Speech and Language Therapy interventions to adults.
• Knowledge and application of different forms of dysphagia therapy
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to recognize own training needs.
• Able to maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of the client and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clients difficulties and implications of the same.
• Good insight into professional boundaries and when to refer on/ seek further advice.
• To demonstrate adherence to Trust Values at all times.
• Understanding of efficacy / outcome measures.

Desirable

• Experience of delivering Speech and Language Therapy interventions to adults within an acute setting.
• Experience of Videofluoroscopy use and interpretation.
• Experience of working with adults with prolonged disorders of consciousness.
• Experience of tracheostomy management.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Walton Centre

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ

Employer's website

https://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)