Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical

To accept high level of clinical responsibility for a paediatric caseload with feeding, swallowing and communication needs across the age range (i.e., infants, children and adolescents).

To assess, differentially diagnose, interpret results, treat, manage and measure outcomes in children in the context of a variety of settings e.g. ward rounds and case meetings.

To provide high-level specialist knowledge in the selection, application and interpretation of formal and objective investigations and assessments.

To participate in videofluoroscopy swallow study clinics.

To independently use appropriate assessments relevant to managing the feeding/swallowing difficulties associated with complex ENT conditions including tracheostomy.

To independently use assessments relevant to the acquired communication disorders and communication difficulties associated with complex needs, including tracheostomy.

To identify the need for further assessment, opinion and ongoing care e.g. refer to other hospital disciplines, tertiary clinics, and community speech and language therapy services.

To provide high level specialist advice by devising and demonstrating therapy programmes.

To provide advice on Alternative and Augmentative (AAC) options (low and high tech).

To ensure that children and parents/ carers are able to express their views and opinions and are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their childs care plans wherever possible.

To manage any conflict or distress arising from unwelcome news, discussing these within the clinical supervision systems or with the Clinical Specialist/ Team Lead.

To organise the caseload effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

To counsel and advise children, parents/ caregivers regarding the emotive and ethical impact of their childs diagnosis and feeding, swallowing and communication difficulties e.g. palliative care, quality of life, poor long term outcomes.

To give specialist clinical advice both within the Trust and to external agencies e.g. community speech and language therapy services, school nurses, health visitors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, play specialists, clinical nurse specialists, psychologists.

To contribute to team working practices.

To provide second onions in specialist field to other speech and language therapists with regard to feeding and communication difficulties.

To develop and maintain links with non statutory organisations and professional bodies relevant to the clinical specialties of the post. (E.g. Paediatric Dysphagia CEN, Communication Matters, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists).

To collaborate with other professionals and specialist centres.

To take due regard for cultural and linguistic differences in the delivery of care.

To write comprehensive discharge reports to be shared with families and professionals.

Management and Leadership

To function as an independent practitioner, regularly meeting the Clinical Specialist SLT and accessing the local supervision system.

To take responsibility for specific managerial tasks delegated by the Clinical Specialist/ Team Lead and Service Lead.

To deputise for Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist as required.

To participate in the formulation and implementation of local policies and protocols based on national policy and professional guidelines related to the specialist area in conjunction with the Clinical Specialist, Team Lead and the Service Lead.

To implement policy and clinical guidelines as required.

To inform the Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist/ Team Lead of significant service issues, including complaints, plaudits, access and equity shortfalls and service pressures.

To participate in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, clinical guidelines, quality standards and clinical effectiveness in conjunction with the Clinical Specialist/ Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist.

To manage conflict in a range of complex clinical settings and to inform Clinical Specialist/Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist or escalate appropriately incidents/cases with ethical and legal implications.

To provide support and clinical supervision to more junior Speech and Language Therapists, assistants, volunteers and students.

To participate in the induction programme for new staff, volunteers and assistants.

To assume delegated tasks as requested by Clinical Specialist/ Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist e.g. participate in working groups, contribute to research, and supervise students.

Teaching and Training

To present content in line with evidence based practice at an appropriate level to a wide range of audiences in consultation with the Clinical Specialist/ Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist.

To evaluate the effectiveness of any teaching provided.

Research and Development

To be interested in and participate in clinical research projects, quality improvement projects and audit with agreement from the Clinical Specialist SLTs and Service Lead.

To contribute to papers for formal presentation and publication with agreement from Clinical Specialist SLT and Service Lead.

Financial and physical responsibilities

To monitor stock levels and request new equipment as appropriate.

To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained- including equipment loaned to patients.

To take reasonable care to avoid injury or accident which may be caused by work, in line with Trust Policy

Information management

To maintain up- to- date and accurate case notes in line with professional standards and trust policy.

To share information with parents/carers, hospital staff and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines and client confidentiality.

To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information is provided promptly as required.

To participate in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness.

Personal and Professional

To work independently and be responsible for managing your caseload.

To access appraisal within the Trust Performance Development Review process at pre-determined intervals.

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.

To maintain and further develop clinical expertise in the specialist area in the context of the Trusts personal development policy.

To adhere to policies, guidelines, professional standards and legal requirements at a local and national level.

To be responsible for effective time management.

To attend and contribute to staff meetings.

To maintain up to date records of all leave (annual/ sickness/ study) and to take responsibility for the reporting of absence.

To maintain appropriate professional registration i.e. RCSLT and HCPC membership.

To undertake any other duties as required by the Service Lead.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

• Evidence of Masters or equivalent level of specialist training
• Intermediate dysphagia course or equivalent
• Health Care Professions Council- license to practice
• Relevant assessment and therapeutic interventions and an ability to compare relative benefits underpinned by evidence based practice i.e. dysphagia and acute onset communication impairment including videofluoroscopy
• Dysphagia and communication in paediatric tracheostomy

Previous Experience

Essential

• Working as a Speech and Language Therapist in an acute setting with a paediatric caseload
• Management of communication disorders arising from a wide range of aetiologies e.g. neurological disease
• Participation in videofluoroscopy swallow study in dysphagia management
• Caseload management and prioritisation in an acute inpatient setting

Skills

Essential

• Highly specialist assessment and management of paediatric feeding/swallowing and acute onset communication difficulties, seeking advice where appropriate (including use of videofluoroscopy swallow study)
• Use knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements and decision-making for complex cases
• Apply an evidenced based practice approach to clinical cases
• Adapt to new systems and flexible working patterns in line with service needs
• Ability to reflect on own practice and identify strengths and development needs

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

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Evelina Children's Hospital

Westminster Bridge Rd

London

SE1 7EH

Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)