Speech and Language Therapist – Acute Neurosciences Speciality

Job description

Job responsibilities

Patient Care

1. To assess, develop and implement specialist evidence based Speech and Language Therapy interventions. To make appropriate clinical decisions following assessments, including differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment, and to develop care plans based on best practice.

2. To use clinical skills to generate written reports reflecting specialist knowledge.

3. To provide appropriate specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes. The post holder will use these specialist skills to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management for complex clinical issues.

4. To use a comprehensive range of verbal and non-verbal tools to communicate the diagnosis and treatment plan effectively to patients, their families and carers, within the relevant legal framework for patients who lack capacity.

5. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients with communication and swallowing disorders.

6. To work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to achieve patient centred care.

7. To liaise with a wide range of professionals across a variety of locations and agencies.

8. To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management for prolonged periods. In particular, to monitor auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of patients communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived needs.

Policy / Service Development / Implementation

1. To represent Speech and Language Therapy at multi-disciplinary team meetings, ensuring delivery of coordinated care. This will include discussion of patient care and discharge planning.

2. To be aware of, adhere to and implement Service and team plans including:

• Providing regular, timely statistical data in keeping with Trust requirements
• Maintaining high quality clinical records in accordance with Service and Trust Guidelines and within data protection guidelines
• Ensuring understanding and adherence to Trust health and safety requirements, including attendance on mandatory training courses
• To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise e.g. exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions encountered on a regular basis
• Participation in the Trust incident reporting and risk management procedures

3. To use specialist knowledge to inform Service / policy developments as appropriate and to implement policy within own specialist area.

4. To participate in the implementation of Service / Trust Clinical Governance Plan.

Financial and Physical Resources

1. To monitor stock levels in own area and to request new equipment as required.

2. 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.

Human Resources

1. To supervise and mentor junior Speech and Language Therapists, unregistered staff such as Speech and Language Therapy Support Workers and therapy assistants.

2. To actively participate in student clinical placements and to assist in the support of students from other professional groups.

3. To be able to clearly explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to visitors, students and other professionals.

4. To lead regular specialist training in the area of expertise, including frequent swallow screen, communication and dysphagia training for MDT staff.

5. To assist in the identification of training needs within the team.

Information Resources

1. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) professional standards and local policies.

2. To adhere to data protection guidelines when sharing information with others.

3. To gather activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of this information within local Trust guidelines.

Research and Development

1. To participate in and develop innovations in the areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness.

2. To undertake Clinical Governance / audit projects within the local service.

3. To participate in developmental research and formal / informal Research and Development and clinical governance / audit projects.

4. To collect and provide research data as required.

Freedom to Act

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

2. To work within defined departmental and national protocols / policies and professional code of conduct.

3. To work independently assessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at pre-determined intervals.

Knowledge and Skills

Communication and Relationship Skills

1. To actively contribute to clinical teams (both the Speech and Language Therapy team and multi-disciplinary team) to ensure a well-coordinated care plan.

2. To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of adults with communication impairment, cognitive difficulties and dysphagia and their families, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of their difficulties and implications of these.

3. To communicate complex condition-related information in such a manner as to motivate and inform clients, carers and team members, agreeing decision making relevant to patient management.

4. To use excellent interpersonal skills to listen well and counsel patients and carers to provide support and empathy without prejudice.

5. To use negotiation skills to manage conflict as needed across a range of situations.

6. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.

7. To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and / or have challenging communication difficulties.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

1. To demonstrate specialist knowledge in clinical specialism, underpinned by current evidence based practice.

2. To identify personal / professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan / Professional Portfolio developed within an appraisal framework.

3. To participate in appraisal ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans, including specific objectives relating to the clinical specialism.

4. To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist working in this field, keeping up to date with new interventions and developments for the promotion of good Speech and Language Therapy practice in acute stroke rehabilitation, and to maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration.

5. To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to, RCSLT Professional and Clinical National and Local Guidelines.

6. To participate in the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence of clinical specialism.

7. To participate in the development and delivery of specialist training (formal and informal) to others in the area of clinical expertise, with and without support.

8. To provide advice to non-specialists and other specialists / professionals within the clinical field.

9. To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures / statutory requirements including: Valuing People, Working with Vulnerable adults and other legal frameworks

Analytical and Judgmental Skills

1. To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs, and seek advice and support to resolve it.

2. To use specialist knowledge and clinical expertise to analyse complex cases in order to inform sound clinical judgements / decision making for case management, and to design appropriate treatment from a range of options.

3. To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision with peers / clinical supervisor in order to develop and enhance practice.

4. To target formal and informal training appropriately to the needs of the course participants and to reflect on and evaluate the training provided.

Planning and Organisational Skills

1. To manage and prioritise own caseload independently.

2. To manage and prioritise own workload.

Physical Skills

1. To use highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients.

2. To demonstrate skills in handling patients with disabilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) Licence to Practice

Desirable

• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses within the clinical area

Experience

Essential

• Post graduate dysphagia competencies (equivalent to RCSLT Level B+)
• Evidence of specialist knowledge / skills as a result of experience and CPD with the given population
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Knowledge / application of the principles of Clinical Governance

Desirable

• Experience of supervision of students / junior staff
• Experience of service review, quality improvement and audit
• Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFS) competencies - (equivalent of RCSLT Level 2+)
• Tracheostomy competencies (equivalent to RCSLT Core theory and practical skills)
• Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow competencies (equivalent to RCSLT Level 1+)

Personal Skills, Knowledge & Attributes

Essential

• Able to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues
• Able to communicate effectively particularly where barriers to understanding exist
• Able to independently prioritise and organise own time and workload. This includes both patient caseload and non-patient related responsibilities
• Demonstrates the ability to be a good team member and has the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to team goals
• Is able to work flexibly and autonomously to meet the demands of an unpredictable workload and has the ability to cope with working in a stressful environment

Desirable

• Demonstrates well established knowledge of specialist SLT assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to clinical area

Behavioural

Essential

• Works in line with the Oxford University Hospitals Trust Values and conducts themselves in a professional manner at all times
• Demonstrates well established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to clinical area
• Able to identify own strengths and needs, and is proactive in seeking support when required
• Demonstrates the ability to reflect on practice with peers / clinical supervisor

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

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

John Radcliffe Hospital

Oxford

OX3 9DU

Employer's website

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