Job summary
This is a wonderful opportunity to progress in complex needs and dysphagia. The post holder will be part of our rich peer supported network in the Haringey Early Years SLT team and will have an interest in developing a specialism with a caseload of children with dysphagia, SLCN and autism. You will provide assessment and treatment on an individual and group basis. Your caseload will consist of neonates to 5 yrs. You will advise and give training on AAC and autism to parents and EY Practitioners. You will work alongside the specialists in this area and be part of a skilled MDT including PTs, OTs, dietitians, HVs, paediatricians, portage visitors and infant feeding specialists, with opportunities for joint working and interdisciplinary learning. You will also work with and support more junior staff including therapists, assistants and students.
Your caseload of children will have SLCN and/or dysphagia and will include clinic, home and/or nursery visits. You will advise/train carers and multi-agency staff on issues related to both individual cases and effective communication strategies/good communication environments. The postholder will demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise and participate in CPD to maintain and further develop specialist knowledge and clinical practice. This is an opportunity for development in dysphagia competencies.
Main duties of the job
- To provide specialist input into assessment and therapy for children with SLCN (including autism) and dysphagia and their families (age under 5 years).
- The postholder will demonstrate ahigh level of clinical expertise and participate in continuing professional development to maintain and further develop specialist knowledge and clinical practice.
- To be involved in clinical governance issues by keeping up to date with developments in paediatrics, undertaking audits to evaluate practice and participating in research projects.
- To have a support role with junior colleagues, therapy assistants and students.
- To advise and train carers and multi-agency staff on issues related to both individual cases and effective communication and language strategies.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To take a specialist role in developing the SLT service to children with complex needs & dysphagia, including contributing to developing care pathways and packages, assessment, therapy and training materials specific to this client group.
- To assess, differentially diagnose, plan and implement therapy for children with speech, language and/or communication difficulties on own caseload.
- To carry out home, school and nursery observations as part of the assessment where necessary.
- To be able to gather information that may be sensitive or complex and analyse it as part of a full assessment of a clients strengths and difficulties.
- To work closely with clients/carers and MDT using empathy, tact, reassurance and active listening to complete assessments, discuss results, and involve them in forward plans and any onward referrals.
- To reflect on clinical practice; adequately identifying strengths & needs of clients, reviewing their response to therapy and providing evidence of sound clinical judgement.
- To routinely overcome barriers to communication during assessment. This includes the use of sign, symbols or other AAC strategies with communication disordered clients/carers, as well as the use of interpreters for clients and carers who do not have English as a first language. Making sure to take into account cultural and linguistic backgrounds and disabilities.
- To seek second opinions from senior colleagues in complex cases.
- To produce accurate and detailed notes, reports, therapy programmes, advice and information as necessary in a timely manner.
- To provide advice/supervision to junior staff and students on a range of issues related to neurodiversity and assessment.
- To demonstrate highly effective personal coordination of day-to-day activities including prioritising caseloads, decision-making and problem so lving.
- Liaise with other agencies involved in the childs care, including relatives/carers and education staff, as appropriate to the individual childs needs.
- To adhere to and apply the Health and Care Professions Councils (HCPC) standards of proficiency and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) code of ethics and professional conduct and all other relevant guidance from Whittington Health NHS Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To take a specialist role in developing the SLT service to children with complex needs & dysphagia, including contributing to developing care pathways and packages, assessment, therapy and training materials specific to this client group.
- To assess, differentially diagnose, plan and implement therapy for children with speech, language and/or communication difficulties on own caseload.
- To carry out home, school and nursery observations as part of the assessment where necessary.
- To be able to gather information that may be sensitive or complex and analyse it as part of a full assessment of a clients strengths and difficulties.
- To work closely with clients/carers and MDT using empathy, tact, reassurance and active listening to complete assessments, discuss results, and involve them in forward plans and any onward referrals.
- To reflect on clinical practice; adequately identifying strengths & needs of clients, reviewing their response to therapy and providing evidence of sound clinical judgement.
- To routinely overcome barriers to communication during assessment. This includes the use of sign, symbols or other AAC strategies with communication disordered clients/carers, as well as the use of interpreters for clients and carers who do not have English as a first language. Making sure to take into account cultural and linguistic backgrounds and disabilities.
- To seek second opinions from senior colleagues in complex cases.
- To produce accurate and detailed notes, reports, therapy programmes, advice and information as necessary in a timely manner.
- To provide advice/supervision to junior staff and students on a range of issues related to neurodiversity and assessment.
- To demonstrate highly effective personal coordination of day-to-day activities including prioritising caseloads, decision-making and problem so lving.
- Liaise with other agencies involved in the childs care, including relatives/carers and education staff, as appropriate to the individual childs needs.
- To adhere to and apply the Health and Care Professions Councils (HCPC) standards of proficiency and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) code of ethics and professional conduct and all other relevant guidance from Whittington Health NHS Trust.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications/ Training
Essential
- Diploma, Degree or MSC in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered Member of the RCSLT and HCPC Registration to Practice
- Evidence of successful completion of short courses and other CPD in clinical area
Skills/Abilities/Experience
Essential
- Evidence of a range of experience working with children with complex needs
- Experience of carrying out assessment and intervention for children with complex needs including children with Down syndrome, Autism and general developmental delay
- Experience of prioritisation of therapy/ own workload. Experience working collaboratively with colleagues in health and other agencies including education.
Desirable
- Evidence of a range of experience working with children with dysphagia.
Other Requirements
Essential
- To take the majority of leave in school holidays
Desirable
- An ability to speak a non-European language - especially Turkish or an African language.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications/ Training
Essential
- Diploma, Degree or MSC in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered Member of the RCSLT and HCPC Registration to Practice
- Evidence of successful completion of short courses and other CPD in clinical area
Skills/Abilities/Experience
Essential
- Evidence of a range of experience working with children with complex needs
- Experience of carrying out assessment and intervention for children with complex needs including children with Down syndrome, Autism and general developmental delay
- Experience of prioritisation of therapy/ own workload. Experience working collaboratively with colleagues in health and other agencies including education.
Desirable
- Evidence of a range of experience working with children with dysphagia.
Other Requirements
Essential
- To take the majority of leave in school holidays
Desirable
- An ability to speak a non-European language - especially Turkish or an African language.
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
