Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Professional / Clinical responsibilities

1. To assess, develop and implement Specialist Speech and Language Therapy intervention programmes to meet the needs of clients; adapting practice based on individual clients or families circumstances and outcomes, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences
2. To develop information and resources for clients, families and relevant others regarding the management and care of clients with communication and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties
3. To write comprehensive reports to be shared with families and a range of professionals, reflecting specialist knowledge
4. To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice
5. To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues and to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management
6. To implement care pathways and recommend changes in practice as appropriate
7. To identify and make appropriate onward referrals to other agencies
8. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures
9. To raise local awareness of the importance of developing communication skills within service area.
10. To identify training needs and to develop, provide and evaluate appropriate specialist training to parents, carers, volunteers, educators and practitioners.
11. To participate in and contribute to projects, activities and events including attendance at team meetings
12. To establish appropriate partnerships with agencies and disciplines which are seeking to promote social and educational inclusion for children with speech, language, and communication difficulties.

• Management and Leadership

To take a delegated role or lead as requested by Team Leader, including participation in working groups, policy development groups, specific projects and events

1. To use specialist knowledge to inform line manager on issues of service delivery/ policy development, including access and equity shortfalls and, service pressures
2. To develop care protocols/packages relating to specialist area in liaison with Team Leader to improve client care
3. To negotiate with others including health, education and social care professionals to achieve seamless services for children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs

• Financial and physical resources responsibilities

1. To monitor stock levels in own service area and request and purchase new equipment as appropriate
2. To develop resources of interest to specialist client group
3. To follow procedures for ensuring the security, care and maintenance of equipment, taking responsibility for maintaining standards of infection control and safety including equipment loaned to clients

• Education & Professional Development

1. To engage in reflective practice with peers through participation in peer review, peer mentoring and supervision as appropriate
2. To provide mentoring, advice and support to more junior Speech and Language Therapists, Assistants, speech and language therapy students, and volunteers
3. To facilitate the development of others problem solving/negotiation skills within peer review/support
4. To plan, monitor and support the work of assistants, students, administration staff and volunteers
5. To resolve verbal complaints about the Speech and Language Therapy service in liaison with team leader
6. To generate appropriate strategies for management of own workload
7. To take on organisational responsibilities within, and contribute to, team meetings
8. To develop and review induction packages, to provide induction for more junior members of staff
9. To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to parents, visitors, students, other professionals and volunteers
10. To provide full student placements, including assessment of the placements as appropriate
11. To support students from other professional groups as appropriate
12. To establish own learning needs and take responsibility for own learning
13. To contribute to identifying training needs within the team.

• Information management

1. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies
2. To share information with carers, school staff and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines and client confidentiality
3. To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines.
4. To contribute to team-wide initiatives to seek the views of children, parents and partner organisations on the quality and effectiveness of service provided
5. To participate in departmental research, Clinical Governance/Audit projects.

• Freedom to act

1. To manage independently a caseload of children including complex cases
2. To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate
3. To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct and the Trusts value based behaviours.
4. To work independently accessing line management, supervision, and performance development reviews (appraisal) at pre-determined intervals

Person Specification

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
• Knowledge of EYFS and National Curriculum, and understanding of curriculum differentiation and environmental adaptations
• Specialist knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to client groups and settings and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits underpinned by evidence based practice
• A working knowledge of relevant procedures and legal frameworks and to demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to clinical practice, including: Safeguarding Children, Code of Practice, Information Governance and other legal frameworks
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, including reflective practice, audit and research methodologies

Desirable

• Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks
• Knowledge of intervention with specialist care group
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as a Speech and Language Therapist with a paediatric caseload.
• Independently manages own time and prioritise tasks including caseload management
• Experience of planning and delivering training to a range of audiences
• Responsive to the changing demands of the service.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to deliver services in a range of settings, including working from home; independently planning own travel
• Knowledge and experience of clinical supervision and the ability to engage with others in reflective practice
• Skilled in differential diagnoses on the basis of evidence from assessment seeking advice as appropriate
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Specialist clinical/technical skills for interpretative assessment techniques and interventions
• Ability to use knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements and decision-making for complex cases
• Ability to engage and negotiate with carers, clients and others around individual case 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

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sunshine House CDC

Peckham Road

London

SE58UH

Employer's website

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