Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Sign Bilingual Co-worker to join the team.
The post holder will work in the Camden Speech and Language Therapy Service for Deaf Children.
We are looking for a fluent BSL user and deaf role model, to support the language and communication development of deaf children.
The successful applicant will also use their knowledge of deaf culture and language to develop and improve speech and language therapy services for deaf children and their families in Camden and Islington.
We welcome applicants with excellent communication skills, an interest in the language development of deaf children, and who have experience of working with children, young people and/or families.
Main duties of the job
Please see the Job Description and the Person Specification for further details about the job role. If you are unable to access the PDF, the details of the job description can also be found in the 'Detailed Job Description and Main responsibilities' section.
About us
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Find out what it is like to work in our friendly, supportive teams which span hospital and community settings across vibrant and diverse North Central London first hand, visit www.whittington.nhs.uk/CYPrecruitment (you may have to copy and paste this link into your browser) to hear from some of our current staff about why they chose to join and stay at Whittington Health.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To support and manage the use and teaching of British Sign Language within the SLT service for Deaf children and their families, under the supervision of a specialist speech and language therapist.
- To plan, prepare and deliver individualised and family-centred communication and play activities for Deaf babies and children using British Sign Language at home and in Early Years settings under the supervision of Specialist Speech and Language Therapists
- To plan and deliver an individualised 'Family Sign Language' curriculum, monitoring, modelling, and supporting the development of BSL with families.
- To plan, prepare and deliver British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness training, and to model Deaf Friendly approaches for parents and staff in Early Years settings who support Deaf babies and young children
- Provide information and guidance on what parents may expect and be aware of in the early stages of development. This will the development of information for hearing parents of deaf children and deaf parents with deaf or hearing children.
- Support the development of Deaf babies and young children's Deaf identity and positive self-image including the acceptance and use of hearing aids/cochlear implants.
- Contribute to the Success from the Start developmental profile.
- Establish supportive working relationships with families, acting as a positive Deaf role model.
- To support the planning and organising of play sessions along with other SLT / Teacher of Deaf children (TOD) colleagues to meet the communication and play needs of deaf children and their families.
- Liaise with support staff working with pre-school deaf children and advise on understanding the communication needs and how to develop effective communication skills.
- Liaise with a range of professionals including specialist Speech and Language Therapists, Advisory Teachers for Deaf Children, Health Visitors and Family Support Workers.
- To maintain up to date system of record keeping linked to home/early years setting visits.
- To continue own professional development through attendance at relevant training.
- To demonstrate the ability to reflect on own clinical practice in discussion with a supervisor
Communication
- To provide a fluent model of BSL differentiated to the appropriate skill level for the deaf children and their families.
- To provide a warm and welcoming reception for all clients, their families and visiting professionals.
- To assist with the management of email correspondence to the service.
- To assist with keeping office and therapy areas tidy, safe and secure, ensuring all displayed information is kept up to date and toys are regularly cleaned.
- To provide basic information on good practice regarding communication, to carers or others including how to communicate when using interpreters
Administration
- To assist in organising and sending appointment letters, appropriate questionnaires and information as required, liaising with the clients, families, referring agencies and Interpreting and Advocacy Service of Whittington Health, and sign language interpreters to make bookings as necessary.
- To manage confirmation of clinical appointments, rearrangements and discharges, as well as monitoring appointments that were not attended.
- To maintain an ongoing audit of client experience of the service.
- To add and support the development of appropriate resources
Electronic Record/SystmOne
- To use the SystmOne to ensure that accurate patient information is recorded and up to date.
- To scan and upload emails, reports and other relevant correspondence onto SystmOne.
General
- To attend training including mandatory, and other training courses as required, including Level 1 Child Protection, Information Governance and IT (word, excel, SystmOne),
Additional information
- To uphold and maintain patient confidentiality in line with national and Whittington Health Information Governance Policies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- To support and manage the use and teaching of British Sign Language within the SLT service for Deaf children and their families, under the supervision of a specialist speech and language therapist.
- To plan, prepare and deliver individualised and family-centred communication and play activities for Deaf babies and children using British Sign Language at home and in Early Years settings under the supervision of Specialist Speech and Language Therapists
- To plan and deliver an individualised 'Family Sign Language' curriculum, monitoring, modelling, and supporting the development of BSL with families.
- To plan, prepare and deliver British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness training, and to model Deaf Friendly approaches for parents and staff in Early Years settings who support Deaf babies and young children
- Provide information and guidance on what parents may expect and be aware of in the early stages of development. This will the development of information for hearing parents of deaf children and deaf parents with deaf or hearing children.
- Support the development of Deaf babies and young children's Deaf identity and positive self-image including the acceptance and use of hearing aids/cochlear implants.
- Contribute to the Success from the Start developmental profile.
- Establish supportive working relationships with families, acting as a positive Deaf role model.
- To support the planning and organising of play sessions along with other SLT / Teacher of Deaf children (TOD) colleagues to meet the communication and play needs of deaf children and their families.
- Liaise with support staff working with pre-school deaf children and advise on understanding the communication needs and how to develop effective communication skills.
- Liaise with a range of professionals including specialist Speech and Language Therapists, Advisory Teachers for Deaf Children, Health Visitors and Family Support Workers.
- To maintain up to date system of record keeping linked to home/early years setting visits.
- To continue own professional development through attendance at relevant training.
- To demonstrate the ability to reflect on own clinical practice in discussion with a supervisor
Communication
- To provide a fluent model of BSL differentiated to the appropriate skill level for the deaf children and their families.
- To provide a warm and welcoming reception for all clients, their families and visiting professionals.
- To assist with the management of email correspondence to the service.
- To assist with keeping office and therapy areas tidy, safe and secure, ensuring all displayed information is kept up to date and toys are regularly cleaned.
- To provide basic information on good practice regarding communication, to carers or others including how to communicate when using interpreters
Administration
- To assist in organising and sending appointment letters, appropriate questionnaires and information as required, liaising with the clients, families, referring agencies and Interpreting and Advocacy Service of Whittington Health, and sign language interpreters to make bookings as necessary.
- To manage confirmation of clinical appointments, rearrangements and discharges, as well as monitoring appointments that were not attended.
- To maintain an ongoing audit of client experience of the service.
- To add and support the development of appropriate resources
Electronic Record/SystmOne
- To use the SystmOne to ensure that accurate patient information is recorded and up to date.
- To scan and upload emails, reports and other relevant correspondence onto SystmOne.
General
- To attend training including mandatory, and other training courses as required, including Level 1 Child Protection, Information Governance and IT (word, excel, SystmOne),
Additional information
- To uphold and maintain patient confidentiality in line with national and Whittington Health Information Governance Policies.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- BSL Level 3 or higher
- Educated to GCSE/NVQ 2 equivalent and must be able to demonstrate a good standard of literacy
- Word processing skills.
- Basic level of IT skills.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Fluent native BSL user
- Knowledge of BSL Linguistics
- Understanding and knowledge of Deaf Awareness and Deaf Culture
- Experience of assessing the BSL communication behaviour of deaf babies and children
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of dealing with the public with a proven ability to deliver a high standard of customer care
Desirable
- Experience of working in the public sector/ NHS
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to exercise judgment when dealing with patients/professional enquiries.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines and prioritise workload
- Confident and sensitive communication skills
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- BSL Level 3 or higher
- Educated to GCSE/NVQ 2 equivalent and must be able to demonstrate a good standard of literacy
- Word processing skills.
- Basic level of IT skills.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Fluent native BSL user
- Knowledge of BSL Linguistics
- Understanding and knowledge of Deaf Awareness and Deaf Culture
- Experience of assessing the BSL communication behaviour of deaf babies and children
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of dealing with the public with a proven ability to deliver a high standard of customer care
Desirable
- Experience of working in the public sector/ NHS
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to exercise judgment when dealing with patients/professional enquiries.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines and prioritise workload
- Confident and sensitive communication skills
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.
