Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be required to work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist speech and language therapry assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services. Enabling service users to engage in a range of individual and group community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of Salt and Language therapy within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

The post holder will contribute to the leadership and development of the Specialist Learning Disability Health Team in accordance within local and national guidance.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1. Clinical

1.1. To undertake specific standardised and non-standardised assessments to formulate effective treatment plans in conjunction with the service user, family and carer.

1.2. Formulate and deliver individual treatment programmes based on specialist knowledge for differential diagnosis for communication and dysphagia, (evidence based practise, national and local guidelines using profession specific clinical skills and techniques. (eg standardised assessments, AAC, group and individual work)

1.3. To interpret the assessment results in order to plan and implement a client centred speech and language therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis to achieve therapeutic goals.

1.4. To ensure therapeutic interventions are of a high professional standard, informed by evidence based practice and involves the service user and carer in all aspects of the care programme.

1.4. To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the effect of disability providing training and advice on lifestyle changes/adaptations to the clients social and physical environments.

1.5. To act as the care programme co-ordinator as required and to offer carers an assessment and care plan where appropriate.

1.6. To contribute to a co-ordinated team approach throughout the assessment and in meeting the service users needs including developing and maintaining close working relationships with all relevant services, and agencies within the voluntary sector.

1.7. To regularly evaluate the effectiveness of group and individual speech and language therapy interventions by undertaking specific audits and using outcome measures such as standardised / other relevant assessments and service user satisfaction questionnaires.

1.8. To continue treatment interventions where necessary to assist in the transition of skills from an inpatient setting to living independently within the community.

1.9. To work effectively within the multi-agency team ensuring that both written and verbal communication is clearly maintained to ensure a seamless service.

1.10. To be responsible for the maintenance of appropriate clinical records concerned with service user treatment, in accordance with risk management documentation guidelines.

1.11. To arrange/attend appropriate clinical team meetings, referral meetings, case conferences, care programme approach meetings and any other as required by clinical need and as directed by the Lead AHP.

1.12. To provide accurate and timely reports, statistical data through the electronic recording system and other information as required.

1.13. To participate in monthly clinical and managerial supervision and to provide clinical supervision to other speech and language staff.

1.14 To work as an autonomous practitioner.

2. Management

2.1. To assist the Lead AHP with the operational management of the service on a day-to-day basis

2.2. To ensure that all significant events, relevant clinical issues and difficulties which may arise are communicated with the Lead AHP/Operational Manager

2.3. To direct and delegate work to other team members such as; therapy assistants and care support workers giving due consideration to their skills and abilities to carry these duties out effectively

2.4. To carry out appraisal and development reviews with speech and language therapy staff and to contribute to the reviews of other staff as appropriate

2.5. To assist the Operational Manager in effectively managing staff leave and sickness/absence to ensure adequate cover for the service on a day-to-day basis

2.6. To participate in the recruitment and retention of staff including implementing induction programmes

3. Policy and Service Development

3.1. To contribute to the development and implementation of the annual service improvement plan and annual audit programme

3.2. To participate in and contribute to service modernisation, including operational planning, implementation of policy, service development and leading on delegated projects

3.3. To work in collaboration with the SALT professional lead in the development of professional practice and the implementation of policy

4. Teaching and Education

4.1. To contribute to staff / student training and development within the field of speech and language therapy and to contribute to the training of the multi-professional team

4.2. To promote awareness and understanding of the role of speech and language therapy within the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies

5. Governance

5.1. To provide a quality/effective service through the active participation and implementation of clinical governance which includes; clinical supervision, (including reflection, critical appraisal and peer support) continuing professional development, participation in regular audit activity

5.2. To initiate practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities relevant to occupational therapy encouraging and developing evidence based practice disseminating findings/recommending changes where applicable

5.3. To use networks locally, regionally and nationally to share information, research and good practice

6. Professional

6.1. To be directly involved in clinical training placements for speech and language students as required within the area of work and qualifications allow.

6.2. To develop and maintain links with Higher Education Institutes which provide speech and language therapy training.

6.3. To contribute to the wider debate of speech and language therapy issues in response to the national and regional consultations by the professional bodies and networks.

6.4. To be responsible for ensuring protected time for keeping knowledge and skills up-to-date by undertaking continuous professional development as required to meet the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulation and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy registration.

6.5. To apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice as a senior speech and language therapist adhering to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (RCSLT) and the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (HCPC).

6.6. To understand and demonstrate a working knowledge of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care which directly impacts on speech and language therapy practice

7. Leadership

7.1. To act as a source of clinical expertise to other team members demonstrating clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection and analysis

7.2. To actively participate in the evaluation and future development of the occupational therapy service using appropriate audit tools, care pathways and appraisal of current evidence based practice

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent.
• Registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• RCSLT Registration.

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Specialist knowledge and application of Speech & Language Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to learning disability.
• Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work.
• Understanding of and ability to use appropriate outcome measures.
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Supervisory / appraisal skills.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues.
• An understanding of the specific contribution of Speech and Language Therapists in Learning Disability Services.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to implement all of the 6C values & behaviours expected of health care professionals.
• Values contribution of others.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• Organisational skills.
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written.
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Experience

Essential

• Post registration experience including in learning disabilities.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Supervision of staff and / or students.

Desirable

• Leadership / first line management experience.
• Experience of a range of learning disability settings.
• Supervision of staff and / or students.

Training

Essential

• Post graduate Dysphagia training or ability to successfully complete the training within 2 years.
• Evidence of ongoing training and relevant post graduate courses in communication and dysphagia.

Desirable

• Post graduate training relevant to Learning Disability.

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).