Job summary
SPECIALIST SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST
SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY POSTS
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist - Band 6 / Band 5 development post , to join our established team within our Bedford Borough special schools.
Band: 6
Base: Bedford special schools
Hours: Part Time / Full time considered
Post: Permanent
The Luton and Bedfordshire Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Service has a vacancy for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in our Bedford Locality. The post is suitable for an experienced therapist with specialist skills who can assess, diagnose and make recommendations for a caseload of school-age children with complex communication and / or feeding needs. Applications are also encouraged from therapists wishing to develop their skills in the area of complex needs.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will independently devise strategies for complex case management, and signpost children and their families to appropriate clinical pathways both within and outside of the SLT service. Candidates should be highly skilled in working compassionately and effectively with families.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate an ability to work flexibly, and demonstrate initiative and confidence around clinical decision making. Candidates will have excellent communication skills and be experienced in multidisciplinary working.
There is an opportunity for the successful candidate to complete training, and receive in-service support, to achieve their Dysphagia competencies.
As a Service we provide:
- Full Trust and service induction.
- Formal and informal training for the role, including shadowing opportunities.
- Regular clinial supervision and a mentoring system
- Excellent Continued Professional Development opportunities including in house training and external courses.
- Reflective clinical forums and buddying systems.
- Regular whole service and locality team meetings.
For further information not available in job description or person specification, for any queries or to arrange a visit please contact: Amanda Armstrong (Special Needs Team Leader) on amanda.armstrong1@nhs.net
About us
Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.
There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.
If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
The post holder will provide specialist clinical input to three special schools in Bedford Borough.They will have day-to-day responsibility for coordinating a speech & language therapy service to special school children and independently manage the caseloads in these settings.
They will:
- Use specialist clinical skills to manage a caseload of children with complex difficulties in speech, language, communication and/or eating and drinking (dysphagia) and AAC.
- Identify, assess and diagnose communication/swallowing impairments and determine appropriate intervention for effective treatment.
To assess children and provide written recommendations and ongoing support for implementation, for class teams.
- Attend and provide reports to Annual Reviews/Multi Agency Meetings as appropriate.
- Provide Communication Support and advice in relation to functional communication, to support teaching and learning.
- Demonstrate specific speech and language therapy support programmes and the use of equipment to specific teachers or groups of staff
- Provide guidance and whole school training in relation to functional communication including receptive, expressive and interactional skills.
- To contribute to relevant research, audit and development work within the schools, relating to the Speech Language and Communication curriculum.
- To attend relevant meetings as required within school or as part of wider SLT team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
The post holder will provide specialist clinical input to three special schools in Bedford Borough.They will have day-to-day responsibility for coordinating a speech & language therapy service to special school children and independently manage the caseloads in these settings.
They will:
- Use specialist clinical skills to manage a caseload of children with complex difficulties in speech, language, communication and/or eating and drinking (dysphagia) and AAC.
- Identify, assess and diagnose communication/swallowing impairments and determine appropriate intervention for effective treatment.
To assess children and provide written recommendations and ongoing support for implementation, for class teams.
- Attend and provide reports to Annual Reviews/Multi Agency Meetings as appropriate.
- Provide Communication Support and advice in relation to functional communication, to support teaching and learning.
- Demonstrate specific speech and language therapy support programmes and the use of equipment to specific teachers or groups of staff
- Provide guidance and whole school training in relation to functional communication including receptive, expressive and interactional skills.
- To contribute to relevant research, audit and development work within the schools, relating to the Speech Language and Communication curriculum.
- To attend relevant meetings as required within school or as part of wider SLT team.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Recognised S< Degree or equivalent Health Professions Council Licence to Practice Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Desirable
- Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups
- M Sc or other recognised post graduate course linked to specialism
- Counselling qualification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of a broad range of clinical disorders, assessments and appropriate therapeutic interventions in specialist field
- Relevant specialist experience as qualified SLT in Paediatric AAC and dysphagia
- Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of educational and clinical issues/developments relating to children with complex needs
Desirable
- Counselling skills training
- Knowledge and understanding of the philosophy and set up of special schools
- Additional qualifications in AAC and dysphagia
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills with patients with communication problems where difficulties to understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy
- Able to convey complex information clearly to patients, carers and other professionals both in verbal and written form
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
Desirable
- Computer literate
- Car driver
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Recognised S< Degree or equivalent Health Professions Council Licence to Practice Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Desirable
- Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups
- M Sc or other recognised post graduate course linked to specialism
- Counselling qualification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of a broad range of clinical disorders, assessments and appropriate therapeutic interventions in specialist field
- Relevant specialist experience as qualified SLT in Paediatric AAC and dysphagia
- Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of educational and clinical issues/developments relating to children with complex needs
Desirable
- Counselling skills training
- Knowledge and understanding of the philosophy and set up of special schools
- Additional qualifications in AAC and dysphagia
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills with patients with communication problems where difficulties to understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy
- Able to convey complex information clearly to patients, carers and other professionals both in verbal and written form
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
Desirable
- Computer literate
- Car driver
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
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).
