Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties, but is intended to give a general indication of the range of work undertaken within this new role. Work will vary in detail in the light of changing demands and priorities, and therefore the duties identified will be subject to periodic change/review, in consultation with the post holder. All employees have a responsibility to abide by all Trust Policies.

Clinical Responsibilities

To autonomously manage and be accountable for providing a specialist and evidence-based Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service to adults with learning disabilities.

Key tasks

To proactively contribute to the multidisciplinary assessment and care management process, to ensure care is well coordinated.

To work to the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA).

To provide a specialist level of assessment, diagnosis and treatment with a caseload of adults with learning disabilities who have communication disorders, across all relevant communication environments. Service users may present with challenging behaviour, autism spectrum disorder, sensory loss, mental health and physical disabilities.

To involve service users, families, carers, staff teams and others in SLT interventions in an appropriate manner.

To show creativity in applying clinical knowledge to supporting adults with learning disabilities to ensure that intervention is flexible and person-centred.

To write specialist reports and Care Plans that provide an assessment, diagnosis and intervention plan, which are evidence based and comply with best practice.

To contribute to case conferences, reviews and multidisciplinary meetings.

To evaluate the outcome of intervention and discharge and/or refer on to other services as and when is appropriate.

To advise on the development and use of appropriate communication resources.

To manage the caseload independently and seek advice as appropriate.

To demonstrate sound clinical judgement in caseload management and prioritisation.

To balance the demands of the role

Key tasks

To show skills in dealing with complex issues and to generate appropriate strategies for workload management, within existing processes.

To respond to urgent referrals in a timely manner, in conjunction with the Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapists and Clinical Lead.

To act on behalf of other Speech and Language Therapists, when necessary.

To manage time effectively and show flexibility to demands such as unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.

To work in difficult and distressing circumstances, dealing with sensitive and contentious issues when necessary.

To be responsible and accountable for delivering an evidence based Speech and Language Therapy Service to adults with learning disabilities who have dysphagia.

Key tasks

To assess, diagnose and treat adults with learning disabilities and dysphagia, commensurate with skills and experience, seeking further advice when necessary.

To advise on the clinical appropriacy and safety of oral intake and refer on when appropriate.

To promote the understanding of dysphagia to families and carers supporting adults with learning disabilities.

To contribute to dysphagia training to staff and others.

To use assessment techniques requiring accuracy as appropriate and/or indicated.

To work alongside other professionals in the field of dysphagia e.g. MDT members, dietitians, medical practitioners.

To liaise with other Speech and Language Therapy Services when required.

To attend videofluoroscopy clinics following referral of service users with learning disabilities to this service.

Management Responsibilities

To be responsible for day to day supervision, support and training of Speech and Language Therapy students.

General Responsibilities

In all areas of work to be responsible for own professional actions, recognise own professional boundaries and competence and to seek advice and support when necessary.

To actively prepare for and participate in regular Speech and Language Therapy team meetings, relevant Clinical Excellence Network meetings, Learning Disabilities meetings, in service training and implement any action plans related to these meetings.This may include preparing information, taking minutes, presenting clinical papers.

To attend and contribute to peer supervision sessions and management/clinical supervision in order to develop and maintain clinical skills and judgements.

To maintain accurate and timely progress notes and Care Plans that reflect assessment, diagnosis and proposed management in line with Trust policies, Speech and Language Therapy service and professional standards.

To keep activity data and provide to the Clinical Lead SLT as requested.

To work to the policies of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, the operational policies of the Learning Disability Speech and Language Therapy Service and the Community Team for Adults with Learning Disabilities.

From time to time, to carry out duties appropriate to grade and experience, which may be reasonably requested by the Clinical Lead SLT.

To be responsible for the development, use and storage of communication resources.

To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of Speech and Language Therapy equipment, ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained.

To have shared responsibility for ensuring that desks and cabinets are locked and keys are stored securely at the end of each working day.

To work closely with members of the LD Speech and Language Therapy team to develop and implement service initiatives into clinical practice.

To work closely with members of the LD Speech and Language Therapy team in quality initiatives, including clinical audits, research and policy development to ensure that departmental procedures are compliant with national standards set by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

To participate in and contribute to innovations and developments in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness to ensure department is meeting Trust guidelines.

To contribute to and participate in the development of team projects and undertake delegated tasks/or a team project with support/supervision from line manager.

To promote the understanding of Speech and Language Therapy internally and externally.

To provide cover during annual leave, sickness, study leave for other team members.

To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of service users and/or their carers, in particular when imparting potentially highly distressing information regarding the nature of dysphagia and/or communication difficulties and implications of these.

To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of service user management for prolonged periods of time.In particular to monitor auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of patients'communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived patient needs, including cultural and linguistic differences.

To contribute to the design, development, delivery and review of specialist training delivered by the Learning Disability Speech and Language Therapy Service to other professionals, carers, and families.

To practice in a way that promotes and develops Inclusive Communication Environments (ICE).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Speech and Language Therapy qualification.

Desirable

• Relevant dysphagia qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of communication assessment and intervention planning.
• Knowledge of dysphagia assessment and intervention planning.
• Able to demonstrate a good standard of the English language.
• Managing time effectively.
• Managing and prioritising a clinical caseload alongside other required duties.
• Be able to sit and stand in a restricted position whilst performing assessments.
• Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to service users.

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of supporting people with learning disabilties.
• Experience of dysphagia assessment and intervention planning.

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Current HCPC registration.
• Hold a full and valid driving licence and have a car for work purposes.

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

Priory Park Hospital Site

Glastonbury Road

Wells

Somerset

BA5 1TH

Employer's website

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