Speech and Language Therapy Team Lead – Early Years Complex Needs

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT

This job is now closed

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join and lead one of our innovative and enthusiastic paediatric teams serving the Doncaster and Bassetlaw communities.The Doncaster and Bassetlaw Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service is currently looking to recruit an enthusiastic Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist who is passionate about working with early years children with complex needs, working across patient's home, clinic, nursery and school settings.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to:

Lead the team of therapists and assistants working with early years children with complex needs
Have specialist knowledge and experience of working with children with complex needs
Hold a clinical caseload of children with speech, language, and communication needs who have an associated medical diagnosis.
To lead service developments/ changes within the clinical pathway in conjunction with other professionals/agencies.
Lead on team audits and contribute to the development of policies/procedures

About us

The Doncaster and Bassetlaw Speech and Language Therapy Service is a team of 28 therapists and therapy assistants working across multiple clinical pathways but all delivering the very highest levels of care to our paediatric caseloads.

Team leads are in place to offer operational support along with clinical specialists available to provide clinical support. Clinical supervision is available for all staff.

As a teaching hospital, opportunities are available to participate in research. The department has a track record of successful applications to Health Education England - National Institute for Health Research clinical academic programmes with staff participating in the Internship and Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship schemes.

Our organisation is driven by our strategic objectives and organisational values and we look for people who are strongly aligned with them.

Date posted

25 May 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£43,742 to £50,056 a year Pro Rata Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

272-5286615

Job locations

Doncaster Royal Infirmary

Armthorpe Road

Doncaster

DN2 5LT

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To act as lead source of clinical expertise within the team.
To act as a point of contact for external agencies and provide advice and guidance with regard to the service.
To hold responsibility for managing own caseload within an agreed defined area.
To assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapy intervention to meet the assessed needs of patients.
To ensure assessment / treatment is carried out in the most appropriate environment.
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work and support junior staff to do the same.
To provide specialised and highly specialised advice to colleagues with regard to the assessment and therapy management of patients with complex needs.
To complete a range of written reports as appropriate, including Education Health Care Plans.
To ensure documentation produced by other members of the team is in line with professional and Trust standards.
To promote clinical excellence through his/her practice within the team.
Work collaboratively in the multidisciplinary team to plan treatment and care of individual patients.
Work in collaboration with other health care professionals within the wider health community to drive the excellence in clinical care and service improvement within the speciality.
To act as a resource for patients assessing their individual needs and observing the principles of holistic care when planning treatments that are sensitive to the ethnic, cultural and spiritual needs of the patient.
Enable and empower patients to make informed decisions regarding treatment options through the provision of expert knowledge and utilisation of relevant resources.
Provide appropriate information and education to patients and their relatives and contribution to the development and production of information for patients.
Participate in all aspects of research, clinical audit and service evaluation and through evidence-based practice, demonstrate clinical excellence with measurable standards and outcomes aiming to improve care and quality of life.
The post holder will have a portfolio of relevant up to date evidence of clinical practice within his/her specialist field.
Use clinical supervision and peer group support to underpin personal professional development.

Management/ Organisational

As leader of a defined clinical area and an expert practitioner, liaise, guide and advise the multi-disciplinary team and external agencies in the provision of optimum patient care.
To lead the Therapy team and take an active role in service developments through the use of peer review, audit, evaluation of outcome measures etc.
To recommend changes/improvements to the service as required.
To monitor the caseloads of other members of the team to ensure the most effective and efficient service is provided.
To lead service developments/ changes within the clinical pathway in conjunction with other professionals/agencies.
Ensure the provision of a high standard of service, delivered within local and national guidelines and within the resources available.
To be responsible for the implementation of appropriate new evidence based techniques and activities.
To represent the Team at meetings/forums as required.
Individuals will be highly visible in their clinical areas, working alongside, and leading the team in a clinical supervisory role.
Acting as a role model, employ professional behaviour that encourages and coaches their team members to challenge their current competencies, whilst seeking opportunities to enhance their roles. This includes the creation of a culture of appraisals (PDA) and personal and professional development whilst setting clear smart objectives to meet the needs of the individual, clinical area and organisation.
To be responsible for the operational management of staff within the specialty area at DRI and BDGH and provide support to staff as required.
To liaise with and provide regular feedback to the Clinical Therapy Manager on service issues e.g. resources, waiting times, outcome monitoring targets.
To organise regular staff meetings within own specialist area.
To work with other professionals in managing operational issues of services which cross organisational boundaries.
To be responsible for the monitoring of equipment/materials used within the team.
As Line Manager, take responsibility for human resource issues including Personal Development Appraisal (PDA), sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance, recruitment and selection and personal career development delegating as appropriate.
To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
To maintain robust communication networks with the Clinical Therapy Manager and other members of the Clinical therapy Service.
Lead the team in exploring workforce issues and developing new ways of working to deliver the high quality, effective and efficient care at all times.
To maintain robust communication networks with other agencies and professions. This may include leading meetings, case discussions etc.
To complete individual Manual Handling Risk Assessments as appropriate.
To participate in and contribute to a range of meetings/forums as required.
To actively seek the views of patients and carers on patient experience provided. Taking action to make improvements where indicated.
Proactively engage and implement any recommendations from findings of patient and carer surveys and national reports linked to clinical care and patient safety.
To actively promote staff personal health and wellbeing.
To complete exit interviews for all staff leaving, taking corrective action where indicated by the exit interview.
Actively encourage staff to take part in staff surveys. Proactively engage and undertake any recommendations from findings of staff surveys.

Education and Development

Has prime responsibility for promoting a learning environment. This includes:

regular supervision with members of the team and undertake their annual Performance Development Appraisal.
induction of new staff into the Team, as and when is appropriate.
the involvement in the on-going professional development of Therapy staff and other staff/students from other professions as required.
providing supervision for and assessment of Therapy students on placement including the provision of written assessments.
being responsible for own Continuing Professional Development to ensure professional competence and fitness to practice.
demonstrating CPD through participation in internal and external training opportunities as appropriate.
To demonstrate evidence of completion of training as per Statutory and Essential Training (SET) Matrix.
maintaining a Personal Professional Portfolio.

Clinical Governance, Quality and Standards

To be responsible for raising the awareness of the team with regard to clinical governance and clinical risk issues and for implementing clinical governance policies, standards and guidelines.
To be involved in the monitoring of practice standards and the application of national guidelines and legislation relating to own specialist area.
To be involved with the setting and monitoring of local policies and guidelines relevant to own specialist area.
To monitor attendance of mandatory and SET training for members of team.
To ensure all members of the team work within local, national and professional guidelines.
To manage complaints received by the team in line with the Trust Policy.
To develop local policies and guidelines for own area of responsibility.
Further develop networks locally, regionally and more nationally to learn from best practice.
To initiate and undertake audit/research projects as appropriate to own specialist area.
To improve own and others research and development skills through participation in audit projects.

Professional Ethics

Ensuring your own and others clinical practice is patient centred and evidence based in accordance with the HCPCs Code of Practice & other professional codes and standards
To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures.
To comply with any future developments designed to ensure patient safety and best practice.
To comply with all Health and Safety Regulations as required.
To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families / carers and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

To act as lead source of clinical expertise within the team.
To act as a point of contact for external agencies and provide advice and guidance with regard to the service.
To hold responsibility for managing own caseload within an agreed defined area.
To assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapy intervention to meet the assessed needs of patients.
To ensure assessment / treatment is carried out in the most appropriate environment.
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work and support junior staff to do the same.
To provide specialised and highly specialised advice to colleagues with regard to the assessment and therapy management of patients with complex needs.
To complete a range of written reports as appropriate, including Education Health Care Plans.
To ensure documentation produced by other members of the team is in line with professional and Trust standards.
To promote clinical excellence through his/her practice within the team.
Work collaboratively in the multidisciplinary team to plan treatment and care of individual patients.
Work in collaboration with other health care professionals within the wider health community to drive the excellence in clinical care and service improvement within the speciality.
To act as a resource for patients assessing their individual needs and observing the principles of holistic care when planning treatments that are sensitive to the ethnic, cultural and spiritual needs of the patient.
Enable and empower patients to make informed decisions regarding treatment options through the provision of expert knowledge and utilisation of relevant resources.
Provide appropriate information and education to patients and their relatives and contribution to the development and production of information for patients.
Participate in all aspects of research, clinical audit and service evaluation and through evidence-based practice, demonstrate clinical excellence with measurable standards and outcomes aiming to improve care and quality of life.
The post holder will have a portfolio of relevant up to date evidence of clinical practice within his/her specialist field.
Use clinical supervision and peer group support to underpin personal professional development.

Management/ Organisational

As leader of a defined clinical area and an expert practitioner, liaise, guide and advise the multi-disciplinary team and external agencies in the provision of optimum patient care.
To lead the Therapy team and take an active role in service developments through the use of peer review, audit, evaluation of outcome measures etc.
To recommend changes/improvements to the service as required.
To monitor the caseloads of other members of the team to ensure the most effective and efficient service is provided.
To lead service developments/ changes within the clinical pathway in conjunction with other professionals/agencies.
Ensure the provision of a high standard of service, delivered within local and national guidelines and within the resources available.
To be responsible for the implementation of appropriate new evidence based techniques and activities.
To represent the Team at meetings/forums as required.
Individuals will be highly visible in their clinical areas, working alongside, and leading the team in a clinical supervisory role.
Acting as a role model, employ professional behaviour that encourages and coaches their team members to challenge their current competencies, whilst seeking opportunities to enhance their roles. This includes the creation of a culture of appraisals (PDA) and personal and professional development whilst setting clear smart objectives to meet the needs of the individual, clinical area and organisation.
To be responsible for the operational management of staff within the specialty area at DRI and BDGH and provide support to staff as required.
To liaise with and provide regular feedback to the Clinical Therapy Manager on service issues e.g. resources, waiting times, outcome monitoring targets.
To organise regular staff meetings within own specialist area.
To work with other professionals in managing operational issues of services which cross organisational boundaries.
To be responsible for the monitoring of equipment/materials used within the team.
As Line Manager, take responsibility for human resource issues including Personal Development Appraisal (PDA), sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance, recruitment and selection and personal career development delegating as appropriate.
To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
To maintain robust communication networks with the Clinical Therapy Manager and other members of the Clinical therapy Service.
Lead the team in exploring workforce issues and developing new ways of working to deliver the high quality, effective and efficient care at all times.
To maintain robust communication networks with other agencies and professions. This may include leading meetings, case discussions etc.
To complete individual Manual Handling Risk Assessments as appropriate.
To participate in and contribute to a range of meetings/forums as required.
To actively seek the views of patients and carers on patient experience provided. Taking action to make improvements where indicated.
Proactively engage and implement any recommendations from findings of patient and carer surveys and national reports linked to clinical care and patient safety.
To actively promote staff personal health and wellbeing.
To complete exit interviews for all staff leaving, taking corrective action where indicated by the exit interview.
Actively encourage staff to take part in staff surveys. Proactively engage and undertake any recommendations from findings of staff surveys.

Education and Development

Has prime responsibility for promoting a learning environment. This includes:

regular supervision with members of the team and undertake their annual Performance Development Appraisal.
induction of new staff into the Team, as and when is appropriate.
the involvement in the on-going professional development of Therapy staff and other staff/students from other professions as required.
providing supervision for and assessment of Therapy students on placement including the provision of written assessments.
being responsible for own Continuing Professional Development to ensure professional competence and fitness to practice.
demonstrating CPD through participation in internal and external training opportunities as appropriate.
To demonstrate evidence of completion of training as per Statutory and Essential Training (SET) Matrix.
maintaining a Personal Professional Portfolio.

Clinical Governance, Quality and Standards

To be responsible for raising the awareness of the team with regard to clinical governance and clinical risk issues and for implementing clinical governance policies, standards and guidelines.
To be involved in the monitoring of practice standards and the application of national guidelines and legislation relating to own specialist area.
To be involved with the setting and monitoring of local policies and guidelines relevant to own specialist area.
To monitor attendance of mandatory and SET training for members of team.
To ensure all members of the team work within local, national and professional guidelines.
To manage complaints received by the team in line with the Trust Policy.
To develop local policies and guidelines for own area of responsibility.
Further develop networks locally, regionally and more nationally to learn from best practice.
To initiate and undertake audit/research projects as appropriate to own specialist area.
To improve own and others research and development skills through participation in audit projects.

Professional Ethics

Ensuring your own and others clinical practice is patient centred and evidence based in accordance with the HCPCs Code of Practice & other professional codes and standards
To comply with all Trust Policies and procedures.
To comply with any future developments designed to ensure patient safety and best practice.
To comply with all Health and Safety Regulations as required.
To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families / carers and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

Person Specification

Organisational Skills

Essential

Good organisational skills
Prioritisation skills

Interpersonal skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills and ability to interact with other non-health agencies
Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
Highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
Can demonstrate excellent analytical reflection skills
Well-developed concentration skills
Ability to work in a team
Ability to lead, motivate and inspire others
Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit

Qualifications/Training

Essential

Professional specific degree i.e. BSC speech sciences or Masters in medical sciences
Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Member of the Health and Care Professions Council
Recognised informal/formal training in specialist area
Car driver

Desirable

Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to Master's degree equivalent
Member of specialist interest group/network, regionally or nationally
Prepared to undertake or hold an accredited leadership qualification
Evidence of completion of dysphagia competencies

Experience

Essential

Relevant post qualification experience working as a Specialist Speech & Language Therapist in school settings, with children with complex communication disorders
Experienced in the assessment and treatment of children with speech, language, and communication needs who have an associated medical diagnosis
Experience of clinical audit and service evaluation
Experience of research and/or project management/service development
Experience of managing change
Experienced in providing student placements
Advanced understanding of relevant clinical practice, standards and protocols within identified clinical area

Desirable

Experience of developing others through education, mentorship, coaching, teaching, assessing, presentations
Experience of working with children with eating and drinking difficulties

Person Specification

Organisational Skills

Essential

Good organisational skills
Prioritisation skills

Interpersonal skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills and ability to interact with other non-health agencies
Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
Highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
Can demonstrate excellent analytical reflection skills
Well-developed concentration skills
Ability to work in a team
Ability to lead, motivate and inspire others
Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit

Qualifications/Training

Essential

Professional specific degree i.e. BSC speech sciences or Masters in medical sciences
Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Member of the Health and Care Professions Council
Recognised informal/formal training in specialist area
Car driver

Desirable

Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to Master's degree equivalent
Member of specialist interest group/network, regionally or nationally
Prepared to undertake or hold an accredited leadership qualification
Evidence of completion of dysphagia competencies

Experience

Essential

Relevant post qualification experience working as a Specialist Speech & Language Therapist in school settings, with children with complex communication disorders
Experienced in the assessment and treatment of children with speech, language, and communication needs who have an associated medical diagnosis
Experience of clinical audit and service evaluation
Experience of research and/or project management/service development
Experience of managing change
Experienced in providing student placements
Advanced understanding of relevant clinical practice, standards and protocols within identified clinical area

Desirable

Experience of developing others through education, mentorship, coaching, teaching, assessing, presentations
Experience of working with children with eating and drinking difficulties

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).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT

Address

Doncaster Royal Infirmary

Armthorpe Road

Doncaster

DN2 5LT

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT

Address

Doncaster Royal Infirmary

Armthorpe Road

Doncaster

DN2 5LT

Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

Children's Speech and Language Therapy Manager

Harriet Heffron

harriet.heffron1@nhs.net

01302642633

Date posted

25 May 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£43,742 to £50,056 a year Pro Rata Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

272-5286615

Job locations

Doncaster Royal Infirmary

Armthorpe Road

Doncaster

DN2 5LT

Supporting documents

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