Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of the post holders work, including the management of people under the post holders professional care.
2. Using investigative and analytical skills utilising the post holders Speech and Language Therapy expertise in the field of Learning Disabilities, undertake a comprehensive assessment of communication and/or dysphagia in line with the appropriate clinical pathways and create and provide the appropriate interventions.
3. To provide specialist communication assessment, diagnosis and intervention using standardised and non-standardised assessments in the areas of linguistics, phonetics, phonology, paralinguistic, semantics and pragmatics.
4. To provide comprehensive dysphagia screening, assessment, diagnosis and intervention using biochemistry, advanced knowledge of the anatomy of the head and neck, advanced knowledge of the mechanical process of the head and neck, supporting knowledge of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract.
5. In providing a comprehensive assessment, advanced knowledge in the following areas may be required: specific language impairment, development language impairment, disordered language impairment, neurophysiology, anatomy and physiology, dual diagnosis, drug induced dysphagia, epilepsy, autistic spectrum disorder alternative and augmentative communication systems, sensory impairment, physical disability, dementia or a combination of these issues in complex individuals.
6. To contribute to differential diagnosis.
7. To contribute to multi-disciplinary assessment and the overall team care plan for the individual.
8. To disseminate communication or dysphagia advice effectively to people with learning disabilities and to carers(paid or unpaid) and staff (qualified/unqualified) an in their chosen and appropriate format.
9. To provide the Speech and Language Therapy expertise in decisions affecting enteral feeding and life-threatening risk of aspiration or asphyxiation, accessing support from monthly supervision as necessary.
10. To recommend the prescription of thickening agents and arrange appropriate monitoring.
11. To monitor and review specialist communication or dysphagia care plans and care plan documentation.
12. To research and recommend the prescription of alternative or augmentative communication systems(high or low tech) and assist in the securing of funding for the appropriate aid in liaison with appropriate professionals.
13. To contribute to and participate in review meetings, including strategy meetings for vulnerable adults.
14. To inform General Practitioners of dysphagia recommendations.
15. To ensure timely and appropriate referral to other specialists, e.g. videofluroscopy, gastroenterology.
16. To contribute to the provision of a seamless service between acute and community services.
17. To work with parents who have a learning disability including the participation in Child Protection meetings, complying with all relevant guidelines and legislation.
18. To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework where people lack the capacity to consent to treatment.
19. To apply a good level of understanding of the effect of disability, and provide training and advice to individual patients, family and paid carers, and Multi-Disciplinary team colleagues on communication.
20. To attend and participate in review meetings, taking formal minutes as necessary.
21. To promote access to mainstream services, supporting other professionals understanding of learning disabilities and reasonable adjustments.
22. To support individuals to complete their health books or health passports as required.
23. To be responsible for the equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to department and Trust manual handling policies, and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others.
24. To establish strong communication networks with people who use the service, carers and other health workers and agencies.
25. To promote awareness of the Specialist Speech and Language Therapy role and care pathways within Learning Disabilities Services, the Trust, other professionals and with people with learning disabilities and their carers.

Professional and Professional Leadership

1. To deputise for the Professional Lead at appropriate meetings as requested by the Lead.
2. To provide effective guidance, supervision and appraisal for more junior Speech and Language Therapists in order to manage their performance and ensure they provide the highest quality of service.
3. Adhere to the Trusts supervision policy and provide clinical supervision as required.
4. To act as Care Programme Approach Coordinator as required.
5. To participate in Clinical Governance, Research and Development and Audit activities as required by line manager and Head of Service.
6. Accepts responsibility for the delivery of the service, to organise this effectively and efficiently with regards to clinical priorities and use of time.
7. To provide observation opportunities for prospective SaLT career candidates, students from other health professions and non-health related individuals as requested by managers.
8. To help ensure/coordinate appropriate clinical training for Speech and Language Therapy Students on placements.
9. To assist the Service Lead, Team Managers and Professional Lead to ensure appropriate high quality local and county Adult Learning Disability Speech and Language Therapy Services are being delivered in line with the services specification and in an efficient, safe and evidence-based style.
10. To inform the Professional Lead of any variations to service delivery, changing priorities and needs, and their likely impact in relation to the need for service development. To work to resolve these issues with relevant others.
11. To monitor equipment levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate. To maintain a yearly stock-take of equipment in conjunction with local managers and professional lead as required.
12. To assist in keeping assessment, treatment and information materials and equipment up-to-date, safe (following infection control procedures) and in good order, informing the Professional Lead of needs and opportunities identified.
13. To assist in maintaining an up to date record of equipment loaned or prescribed to patients ensuring Trusts policies and procedures are adhered to.
14. To be part of team duty coverage, as required.
15. To assist in the development of clinical standards, policies, procedures and further service developments.
16. To be aware of and adhere to services policies, procedures and system to be used.
17. To ensure that up to date (own and other SaLT professionals) written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with professional and NCHC/NCC standards, and these are reviewed regularly as part of the clinical supervision sessions.
18. To maintain waiting lists in accordance with the services procedures and actively work to reduce these through innovative changes to service delivery and appropriate challenge.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant degree from a course accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)- registration
• Basic post graduate dysphagia training or equivalent.

Desirable

• Leadership and first line management experience
• Practice placement qualification and postgraduate training relevant to learning disabilities

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post registration experience
• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities and their carers

Desirable

• Experience of community working
• Experience of research or audit
• To have experience and knowledge of Makaton/Sign-a-long (sign Supported English)

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge and application of standardised Speech and Language Therapy assessments
• Knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication strategies
• Knowledge of valuing people objectives and the principles and ability to apply them to practice
• Presentation and training skills
• Ability to plan interventions in a collaborative way
• Knowledge and application of standardised assessments
• Understanding of Speech and Language Therapy outcome measures
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
• Ability to reflect on critically appraise own performance
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information
• Good computer skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships
• Knowledge of the pillars of clinical governance and its application
• Knowledge of manual handling legislation and risk assessment
• Knowledge of specialist equipment provision

Desirable

• Knowledge of relevant mental health legislation and practice
• Knowledge of breakaway/de-escalation techniques

Communication

Essential

• Able to communicate effectively using the English language in both verbal and written form

Personal & People Development

Essential

• Commitment to lifelong learning
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience of supervising students and other staff
• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults.
• Commitment to patient centred, non-discriminatory practice

Other

Essential

• Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle
• An understanding of hazards associated with lone working in the community

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

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

The Simpson Centre Kelling Hospital

Old Cromer Road

High Kelling, Holt

NR25 6QA

Employer's website

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