Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Works individually and as part of SLT, integrated therapy and other multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams to provide a service for children and young people who have speech, language and communication difficulties

Independently assesses, diagnoses, formulates care plans, writes assessment reports and provides appropriate intervention for clients with speech, language and communication impairments.

Gathers relevant information from a variety of sources to inform diagnosis and decision making about individual clients.

Provides intervention and evaluates outcomes.

Involves clients, where appropriate, and their parents/carers in planning therapy programmes.

Maintains and provides full, accurate and comprehensive case records and reports.

Reflects on the auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of a client's communication and identifies appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.

Develops clear care plans based on best practice.

Advises clients, carers and staff in Health and other agencies on supplementary or alternative means of communication, as appropriate.

Actively involves patients in decisions about their own healthcare.

Works with parents and Education staff to plan and evaluate developmental and educational targets relating to speech, language and communication.

Provides advice, training and support to educational staff, outside agencies, parents and carers, as appropriate, which may involve training in specific therapy techniques acquired via postgraduate training.

Provides advice for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and to contribute to Individual Education Plans.

When appropriate, writes reports, attends team meetings, case conferences, parents' meetings and contributes to Annual Reviews of EHCPs.

Identifies opportunities for integrated clinical working and joint pathways with Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy colleagues.

Refers on to other specialist Health and Education services as appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
• HPC registration and RCSLT registration
• Up to date theoretical knowledge
• Knowledge of current Educational and National Curriculum issues
• Knowledge of symbol and signing systems of communication

Experience

Essential

• Experience of Speech Language Therapy at undergraduate level
• Experience of range of placements

Desirable

• Post graduate experience of Speech Language Therapy

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Evidence of a good standard of literacy/English language skills
• Able to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
• Able to work closely with other SLTs and with OTs and PTs
• Good verbal and written communication skills for a range of audiences including clients/carers
• Compassionate -- exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic.
• Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
• Appropriate professional presentation.
• Able to demonstrate self-motivation and initiative.
• Willing to explore and implement new policies, approaches and techniques
• Aware of limitations of own knowledge and experience.

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

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Summerlands

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN

Employer's website

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