Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties and Responsibilities

To be a source of senior, highly specialist clinical expertise within SLT in the field of oncology and to manage own caseload of patients with acquired communication and/or swallowing problems.

To effectively examine and assess patients, identify their problems and needs and ensure that patients' medical, cognitive, psychological, social, environmental and cultural factors are taken into account including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi-pathologies.

To interpret assessment findings using highly specialist clinical reasoning skills in order to competently plan and carry out programmes of treatment.

To be able to relate findings of assessment to presenting disease/pathology/ impairment.

To organise and undertake instrumental assessments as required for patients with complex swallowing problems in keeping with department policy

To devise and monitor highly specialist programmes of care for other professionals to carry out.

To provide highly specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients with communication impairment and /or dysphagia.

To monitor and review care plans in specialist field against outcomes and adjust in order to facilitate achievement of goals

To counsel and advise patients as required to ensure informed consent and that they are fully aware of the aims and objectives of SLT intervention.

To produce, disseminate and update reports/guidelines, based on highly specialist knowledge, regarding individual care plans to patients/carers and other professionals.

To provide support and advice to specialist SLTs in the region or other professionals regarding the ongoing clinical management of oncology patients who are about to be discharged.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

1. To use highly specialist clinical reasoning skills to assimilate complex information, taking into account cognitive, emotional, environmental and social issues, in order to make a clinical judgement regarding differential diagnosis and intervention.

2. To refer appropriately for instrumental swallowing assessment. To interpret investigation results and communicate the information to all relevant parties.

3. To formulate clear care plans based on assessment, highly specialist knowledge and information, gathered from a range of professionals and carers in order to select appropriate treatment options.

4. To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and supervisors.

Communication and Relationship Skills

1. To work as part of clinical uni- and multi-disciplinary teams ensuring a wellco-ordinated care plan.

2. To communicate highly complex information using advanced communication skills to patients, carers and families.

3. To work with an interpreter as necessary to aid assessment and treatment of the patient and communication with the carer.

4. To refer patients appropriately following transfer or discharge.

5. To demonstrate good negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.

6. To write, deliver and evaluate internal and external education and training sessions to other health care professionals, patients and carers.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

1. To demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to RCSLT, national and local Professional and Clinical Guidelines

2. To maintain own competence to practise at a highly specialised level to meet professional and HCPC requirements for registration.

3. To be a member of relevant CENs.

4. To identify, work towards and achieve personal developmental and departmental objectives set in conjunction with Clinical Lead SLT, as part of the annual personal development process, maintaining an up to date portfolio.

Freedom to Act

1. To be a senior clinical specialist in oncology.

2. To demonstrate clinical leadership skills and to take a lead role in service development, clinical protocols and care pathways. This is in conjunction with the SLT team Manager.

3. To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries through interpretation of clinical/professional policies.

4. To interpret and implement national and local policy relevant to own specialist clinical area in consultation with wider team.

5. To monitor and evaluate own highly specialist service delivery.

6. To accept and prioritise referrals.

7. To be responsible for organising and prioritising own highly complex caseload.

8. To support assistant practitioner activity and development.

9. To refer the patient or carer to other services as appropriate.

10. To discharge patients as appropriate.

Planning and Organising Skills

1. To manage and organise own workload.

Policy and Service Development/Implementation

1. To contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based clinical protocols and pathways of care in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team.

2. To assist the SLT team manager in the preparation and implementation of aspects of service objectives/business plans

Responsibility for Human Resources

1. To provide one to one support to band 6 team members

2. To provide supervision and evaluation of SLT students.

Responsibility for Information Resources

1. To maintain up-to-date and accurate electronic case-notes in line with Trust policy.

2. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.

Responsibility for Research and Development

1. To design research /audit/ effectiveness studies in specialist area

2. To participate in research activity/audit/ data provision as required by The Trust.

Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources

1. To be responsible for the security and care of the premises and equipment under one's care in accordance with Trust policy.

2. To be responsible for personal safety and that of patients and personnel within the department in accordance with Trust policy.

3. To adhere to the Trust and departmental health and safety policies.

4. To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.

5. To critically appraise patient appliances and products e.g. communication aids, thickened fluids and dietary supplements, and make recommendations on their suitability for use in the Trust taking into account their cost and effectiveness.

Qualifications

Essential

• Accredited honours degree or equivalent Certificate to practice (SLT)
• Registered with HCPC
• Relevant Master's degree or equivalent experience evidenced by completion of postgraduate or highly specialist short courses in e.g. advanced dysphagia, oncology, advanced communication
• Member relevant Clinical Excellence Networks (CEN)

Desirable

• Member RCSLT
• Recognised postgraduate qualification in oncology

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within oncology
• Experience in adult acquired disorders
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of leading video swallow clinics
• Evidence of audit
• Evidence of training/ presenting

Desirable

• Experience in brain/CNS surgery/oncology
• Attendance at conferences /courses in area of specific interest
• Experience of supporting less experienced staff/assistants
• Experience in working with tracheotomised patients
• Experience in working in palliative and terminal stages of care

Skills

Essential

• Highly specialist analytical, problem solving and clinical reasoning skills
• Highly specialist phonetic transcription skills
• Excellent Presentation skills
• Good time management
• Advanced communication skills
• Clinical supervision skills
• Standard keyboard skills - word processing, internet, data inputting

Desirable

• Adjunctive skills in bedside swallowing assessment eg cervical auscultation
• Competency in interpretation/ undertaking fibre optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)

Knowledge

Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge of adult acquired communication and swallowing impairments in relevant specialist area, including tracheostomy
• Highly specialist knowledge and use of up-to-date assessment procedures and therapy techniques
• Knowledge of relevant national and RCSLT policies on competencies/role of SLT in cancer care
• Knowledge and understanding of the patho-physiology of cancer and its treatment
• Understanding of clinical governance and risk management
• Sound knowledge of current national guidance / pathways relating to cancer

VALUES

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate core values of The Christie Trust. This includes compassion and respect; quality care; innovation

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).