Job summary
Band 8a -Clinical Specialist Speech and Language therapist -Deputy Lead for the Paediatric Autism Diagnostic Service (CHAND)
Are you an experienced, innovative, creative speech and language therapist? Would you like to bring your skills to operationally lead our ASC Diagnostic Service?
We have an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to be Deputy Lead for our Multidisciplinary Paediatric Autism Diagnostic Service known as the CHAND Service.
The CHildren with Autism in Newham - Diagnosis Service
Because every child deserves to shine
In Sanskrit based languages such as Bengali/Urdu/Hindi/Punjabi, 'Chand' means 'the moon' or 'to shine'. In old English and French 'Chand' comes from the word for candle - as in Chandelier.
Here at the CHAND service we take referrals from professionals, for children aged 2- 12 years, where there are concerns about the possibility of Autism. Working with families, our multidisciplinary team will gather information and observations, aiming to form a unique picture of the child's abilities and challenges.
If a child meets the criteria for Autism Spectrum Condition, the diagnosis itself often helps families, professionals and communities have a greater understanding of the unique way in which that child navigates the world. This in turn can lead to better connection, better learning and the opportunity to achieve their true potential - because children deserve to shine.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will be responsible for the operational leadership of the CHAND service supporting the Lead Consultant and acting as their deputy. This will include leading on referrals, MDT triage and MDT case discussion meetings. The post holder will be a point of clinical expertise for all staff in the CHAND team, responding to queries and issues within the service and providing quality assurance of the diagnostic work undertaken by all members of the MDT.
The post-holder will have direct line management responsibility for the CHAND nurse, assistant psychologist, and provide both professional support and line management for the speech therapists working within CHAND. The post holder will undertake specialist ASC assessments within the CHAND diagnostic service and contribute to diagnostic discussions. They will manage their own caseload and oversee the performance of the whole service.
Within the job role there will be protected time for service improvement and development work that they will lead and oversee.
The successful applicant will have relevant highly specialist experience of working with children and families within the specialism of autism, and experience of working within an autism diagnostic service.
About us
In return, we can offer you:
- An amazing working environment, with a warm, welcoming and supportive team of colleagues who bring experiences from all over the world.
- 1:1 monthly supervision, appraisal and CPD
- Leadership Development
- Protected service development time and regular team away days
- Opportunity to supervise and develop staff
- On-going clinical skills development, MDT working
- Opportunity to lead service improvement
- Involvement in audit and quality improvement
Come and be part of a team that is innovative, responsive, and adaptable, and which aspires to stand out in the future in the areas of service delivery, improvement and research.
Based in the community in Stratford, London Borough of Newham, close to the Olympic Park in the heart of London's East End (with excellent transport links with the rest of London and Essex).
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will manage and lead the delivery of the CHAND ASC diagnostic service this will include oversight of the referrals, MDT triage, clinic allocations, discharges.
The post holder will oversee the performance of the CHAND service including waiting list data and activity, and provide regular reports on performance to both the CHAND operational team and senior management group on performance.
To lead and coordinate service improvements within the diagnostic pathway. Delegating tasks to team members, overseeing progress and reporting any barriers to change.
To be the operational lead for queries and issues regarding the pathway.
To lead/ chair the MDT triage and MDT decision making meetings and the monthly CHAND operational team meeting.
To provide highly specialist ASC assessments within the diagnostic service as a member of the CHAND assessment team.
The post holder will quality assure the standard of work undertaken by staff and guide, coach and advise them as appropriate. They will also effectively induct new staff into the CHAND pathway.
To provide line management to the Band 7 CHAND nurse, assistant psychologist and Speech therapists within the MDT.
To provide professional support and supervision to the Speech therapists in the CHAND MDT.
To be a source of clinical expertise for ASC across the CHAND multiagency team.
Responsibility for coordinating a regular programme of post diagnosis training for families.
To inform the ASC steering group and ASC work stream leads of issues or areas of improvement which impact on the services and pathways of ASC support they provide.
To ensure co-production with parents and key stakeholders of the CHAND pathway.
To act as Deputy to the Lead Consultant for CHAND.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will manage and lead the delivery of the CHAND ASC diagnostic service this will include oversight of the referrals, MDT triage, clinic allocations, discharges.
The post holder will oversee the performance of the CHAND service including waiting list data and activity, and provide regular reports on performance to both the CHAND operational team and senior management group on performance.
To lead and coordinate service improvements within the diagnostic pathway. Delegating tasks to team members, overseeing progress and reporting any barriers to change.
To be the operational lead for queries and issues regarding the pathway.
To lead/ chair the MDT triage and MDT decision making meetings and the monthly CHAND operational team meeting.
To provide highly specialist ASC assessments within the diagnostic service as a member of the CHAND assessment team.
The post holder will quality assure the standard of work undertaken by staff and guide, coach and advise them as appropriate. They will also effectively induct new staff into the CHAND pathway.
To provide line management to the Band 7 CHAND nurse, assistant psychologist and Speech therapists within the MDT.
To provide professional support and supervision to the Speech therapists in the CHAND MDT.
To be a source of clinical expertise for ASC across the CHAND multiagency team.
Responsibility for coordinating a regular programme of post diagnosis training for families.
To inform the ASC steering group and ASC work stream leads of issues or areas of improvement which impact on the services and pathways of ASC support they provide.
To ensure co-production with parents and key stakeholders of the CHAND pathway.
To act as Deputy to the Lead Consultant for CHAND.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
- Health Care Professionals Council
- Evidence of successful completion of post graduate courses relevant to Autism
Desirable
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience at post graduate level, including in depth knowledge and experience of working with children with autism, DLD and other SLCN needs.
- Significant post graduate clinical experience in paediatrics
- Experience of working in an ASC diagnostic pathway
- Experience of providing ASC diagnostic assessments and differential diagnosis
- Experience of leading service improvement work
Knowledge
Essential
- Skills in undertaking ASC diagnostic assessments within an MDT context.
- Well established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group
- In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the specialist client group) eg Education Code of Practice, Clinical Guidelines, Communicating Quality
- Excellent presentation skills, written and verbal including ability to write clear and concise reports.
- Working knowledge of relevant information technology
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
- Health Care Professionals Council
- Evidence of successful completion of post graduate courses relevant to Autism
Desirable
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience at post graduate level, including in depth knowledge and experience of working with children with autism, DLD and other SLCN needs.
- Significant post graduate clinical experience in paediatrics
- Experience of working in an ASC diagnostic pathway
- Experience of providing ASC diagnostic assessments and differential diagnosis
- Experience of leading service improvement work
Knowledge
Essential
- Skills in undertaking ASC diagnostic assessments within an MDT context.
- Well established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group
- In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the specialist client group) eg Education Code of Practice, Clinical Guidelines, Communicating Quality
- Excellent presentation skills, written and verbal including ability to write clear and concise reports.
- Working knowledge of relevant information technology
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).
