Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To independently manage a caseload of pre-school and school age children who have speech, language and communication difficulties

To undertake a range of assessments, both standardised and non-standardised, taking account of medical, social and educational factors, in order to make a differential diagnosis

To plan, deliver and evaluate intervention following professional guidelines and agreed service standards

As part of that process, to be able to plan appropriate long term and short-term goals working towards discharge

To undertake administrative duties connected with the caseload including maintenance of case notes and provision of written reports, following service standards

To ensure that all work is carried out in close collaboration with all those involved in childrens care so that the approach to intervention and support is co-ordinated and comprehensive

To identify when there is a need for a second opinion, referring to senior colleagues or SLT specialists as appropriate

To make onward referral as appropriate

To identify any variations to service delivery or demands and inform the Locality Co-ordinator and Area & Clinical Lead of the likely impact on the service

Policy & Service Development

To contribute towards policy, clinical governance and service development through discussion and involvement in projects as appropriate

To be familiar with local and national standards and to work in line with these

To ensure that parents/carers are aware of the standards they should expect from the speech and language therapy service

Communication

To ensure effective communication of complex condition-related information to parents/carers regarding the assessment process, assessment findings and planned intervention, including engagement of parents/carers in intervention

To ensure children are involved in goal setting and decision making around their own care as appropriate to their age, developmental level and language skills

To ensure parents/carers are involved in decision making around their childs care including discharge from the service

To liaise effectively and work in partnership with other professionals (particularly teachers and teaching assistants), including the development of shared goals for intervention

To write reports on children, in line with service standards, including contributions to statutory assessment

To offer advice to others concerning support for individual children

To actively contribute to case conferences/ review meetings for children on the caseload

To recognise how and when information may be shared within the bounds of confidentiality and the Data Protection Act

To attend SLT team meetings, actively contributing as appropriate

Contribute to CCS internal communication strategies ensuring effective two-way communication and engagement within the organisation

Contribute to CCS external communication strategies working with the Head of Communications to raise awareness and promote the reputation of CCS services

Patient and Public Engagement

To contribute to ensuring that CCS responsibilities to engage and consult with patients and the public are met in line with statutory requirements

Training

To participate in training other professionals/parents as appropriate

To identify training needs in the multi-disciplinary team needed to support the care of children on the caseload

To attend all Trust mandatory training

Human Resources

To supervise SLT assistants/ teaching assistants/volunteers as appropriate

To mentor newly qualified SLTs providing support and contributing to induction with guidance from more senior colleagues

To offer observation sessions for SLT students as agreed with the supervising therapist

Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and KSF process

Research & Development Activity

To maintain and update skills and knowledge in relevant areas

To develop and monitor own clinical expertise in specialist area through planned CPD

To participate in service audit and projects as agreed with the Lead Practitioner

To actively reflect on practice with peers and more senior colleagues to promote professional development and evidence-based decision making

To be advised on developments in current practice by more senior colleagues

Clinical and Practice Governance

Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes

The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures

It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with HCPC and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration

Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required

Provide patients and their families /carers with information on standards they should expect from the team

Participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis

The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• Degree in speech, language and communication or equivalent
• Registered member of HCPC
• Registered member of RCSLT

Desirable

• Evidence of commitment to CPD

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with children in a community clinic

Desirable

• Experience of working in a mainstream school
• Experience of working in a special school

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Proven knowledge of developmental speech and language disorders
• Knowledge of a range of assessment procedures relevant to the client group
• Knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions appropriate to the client group
• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy
• Ability to work confidently with a range of stakeholders

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

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

Peacock Centre & Princess of Wales Hospital

Cambridge

CB1 3DF

Employer's website

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