Clinical Lead Advanced Specialist in Communication -SLT

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Practice

The post holder is responsible for providing specialist assessment and diagnosis, including differential diagnosis of conditions co-existing with deafness as appropriate (e.g. dementia, mental illness), requiring advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking and interpretation

To interpret and act on complex information gathered from a range of sources using knowledge of evidence-based practice, advanced clinical reasoning skills and relevant treatment approaches, including interpreting audiological information

To contribute to the teams decision-making in determining candidature for cochlear implantation and other hearing implants, to support the patients decision-making and progress through the assessment pathway

The role requires the ability to counsel patients and families/carers on challenging and potentially distressing topics of discussion, e.g. decision- making regarding an elective surgical procedure, often in difficult and emotive circumstances, progress/outcome measures, impact of additional difficulties/long-term deafness and expectation

The post holder must be able to adapt their communication to ensure the patient /carer is able to understand as well as possible, for example, by using recognised communication strategies for deaf/deafened children/adults, including speech to text, lip-reading and the use of interpreters as appropriate

To promote self-advocacy and acceptance of disability and adapt assessments/resources to meet individual needs

To support patients and carers to use cochlear implant technology and other assistive listening devices effectively and to promote the continued need for the use of communication strategies by both patients and their parents/carers

To monitor progress using outcome measures, identifying those not making expected progress and signpost as appropriate

To develop, monitor and evaluate specialist interventions to individuals and groups, and to advise and support parents/carers/community settings and other professionals to implement these interventions

To recognise the need and support the referral to other specialist agencies, and contribute, as required, to a differential diagnosis

To mentor, supervise, teach and develop clinical assistants, SLT students and other professionals within area of expertise

To effectively delegate to clinical assistants, administrative and other staff as appropriate

Service Delivery

To utilise digital healthcare platforms, in line with NUH policies and procedures, to support and enhance patient management and as part of patient/family/group coaching sessions and professional training

To be able to work on an outreach basis when required

To work collaboratively with local professionals in an consultative and advisory capacity, both during the assessment phase and post operatively, regarding assessment results, expectations, progress and outcomes, differential diagnosis and referring on for specialist advice as appropriate

Managerial

To lead on delivering a specialist rehabilitation service within a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency context, with liaison with the Head of service as to resources and training needs for SLTs and TODs to be able to develop current models of service delivery for deaf/deafened older children and adults

To be accountable for the rehabilitation service within NAIP, in conjunction with the Head of Service, to include a day-to-day accountability for clinical standards of staff working within the rehabilitation team

To be responsible for understanding and acting on the demands on the rehabilitation service and planning sufficient capacity, in liaison with the other leads and Head of Service

To be responsible for the line management of a team of SLTs/TODs working within NAIP, including recruitment and selection decisions, appraisals, personal and career development, sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance matters, performance management and health and safety

To supervise others involved in planning, provision, monitoring and evaluation of treatment interventions to patients/carers and other key professionals as appropriate

Alongside the other clinical leads, to be accountable for liaising with a variety of different agencies/professionals in health, education, social care and charitable organisations for deaf people ensuring management and treatment meets the persons holistic needs, and that information is accessible to the patients/carers

To support the Head of service with the rest of the senior leadership team in the production of the annual business plan and strategy for NAIP and identify priorities for development

To assist the Head of service at NAIP in delivering a leadership culture where staff at all levels have the skills to lead and support their colleagues

In conjunction with other line managers, to support the development needs of staff e.g. to develop opportunities to access appropriate education and training programmes, succession planning

To represent NAIP at agreed regional, national and multi-agency forums, delivering specialist information and raising awareness and knowledge of cochlear implantation and outcomes

To contribute to the development of national professional standards and professional protocols as required, including development of models of service delivery

To contribute to the specialist induction of new staff in own and other professional areas within NAIP

To represent speech, language and communication needs of deaf/deafened adults and older children using cochlear implants at agreed forums

Professional Responsibility

To maintain and demonstrate own CPD, keeping up to date with clinical developments & current research and evidence-based practice to ensure own and others practice is safe and effective

To identify and manage clinical risk in own practice

Alongside other clinical leads, to be accountable for clinical governance activities of the team and the Trust, reflecting local and national priorities, using their knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice and specialist professional guidelines in the field of cochlear implantation, e.g. RCSLT, BCIG, HCPC, BATOD to be responsible for own professional actions and boundaries and those of the rehabilitation team

To be responsible for keeping policies and protocols for SLT/TOD service delivery to deaf/deafened older children and adults up to date

To accurately record outcomes, observations and test results, maintain patient database and ensure data is entered correctly

To provide accessible, succinct clinical reports based on specialist knowledge and ensure others in the rehabilitation team do the same

To proactively contribute to regional/national Clinical Excellence Groups, the British Cochlear Implant Group and Implant Centre REHAB groups.

Responsibility for Training

Alongside the paediatric clinical lead, to be responsible for the coordination of teaching and training activities for education, health and social care professionals

The post holder will mentor, supervise, teach and develop colleagues and those involved in rehabilitation for deaf/deafened older children and adults within area of expertise

To contribute to the development and delivery of courses/conferences and information days to promote increased awareness and knowledge of cochlear implants, nationally and internationally

To provide support for clinical education of students, in liaison with universities, to ensure expected quality standards are met, through teaching, mentoring and supervision (as required)

To facilitate the clinical development of others through peer supervision with colleagues within the Trust across specialisms

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

The post holder will contribute to strategic developments, in liaison with other clinical leads and Head of service

To contribute to the development, implementation of and monitoring of standards for the clinical specialism and understanding and adhering to quality standards and key performance indicators

To maintain clinical and administrative records in accordance to team and Trust standards and provide clinical data to the Head of service as required

To contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of department guidelines and procedures in line with Regional and National initiatives and policies that influence service provision

To participate in multi-disciplinary projects and specialist areas of cochlear implantation work as agreed with the Head of service

Responsibility for financial and physical resources

To contribute to the specification and justification of equipment and goods e.g. cameras, specialist assessment or therapy materials

To be responsible for ensuring any equipment (digital technologies, assessments, audiobooks) is complete and safe to use, ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained, including equipment loaned to patients

To ensure the safe carriage, storage and proper use of equipment, working within lifting and handling and data protection guidelines

To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate for use with specialist client group

Responsibility for Human Resources

To identify CPD requirements of self and others reflecting organisational priorities

Responsibility for Research and Development

To initiate and regularly undertake research/clinical governance/audit projects, within area of clinical expertise

To undertake resourced research, service evaluation and/or audit in accordance with the needs of the Trust and profession

To participate in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness using highly specialist knowledge

To contribute to papers for presentation at national and multi-disciplinary conferences and submissions for publication in non-reviewed and peer reviewed journals

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oSpeech and Language Therapy qualification Bachelor level degree, or equivalent oMasters level qualification OR evidence of masters level equivalent oPost Graduate qualification (certificate or diploma) in working with deaf people or equivalent OR oEvidence of additional post-graduate training to further develop knowledge and skills in deafness

Desirable

• oAdditional specialist skills and qualifications in a recognised sub-speciality related to working with deaf people, e.g. counselling, audiology, coaching oCACDP British Sign Language Level 1or above

Experience

Essential

• oSignificant experience working with deaf people and managing highly complex and non-routine cases
• oExperience of working with cochlear implants
• oExperience of delivering training and presentations at local and regional level
• oExperience of contribution to service development and project management

Desirable

• oExperience working with deaf/deafened adults
• oExperience in working in a multi-disciplinary team
• oKnowledge of application of risk assessments, clinical governance and national policies and procedures relevant to hearing impaired people

Communication

Essential

• oExperience of communicating with people who have additional needs
• oExcellent written communication skills
• oFluent, clear English language speaker
• oExcellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to initiate and engage in difficult conversations

Desirable

• oExcellent communication skills with deaf people
• oExperience of working through interpreters

skills

Essential

• oData analysis and statistical skills oGood level of IT skills to include word processing, use of databases and spreadsheets
• oAbility to make judgements involving complex facts which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme

Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk

Nottingham

NG1 5DU

Employer's website

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