Senior Speech and Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

Purpose

1. As part of Paediatric Therapy team to autonomously manage a complex caseload of children with a range of varied and complex needs.This will involve specialist assessment and treatment of children with complex needs.
2. To devise child centred therapy plans using evidence based practice to ensure that the individuals full potential is developed or maintained.
3. To provide clinical support, training and supervision for junior staff and students.

Principal duties to include

1. To provide support and advice for the child's family and parents about all aspects of their care that relate to their therapy needs, adjusting use of language to allow for their level of comprehension to understand.
2. To provide and receive complex and sensitive information with regard to a child's difficulties and expectations.
3. To attend meetings where requested in order to provide specialist advice about the therapy needs of the child. To arrange these meetings when appropriate.
4. To plan and organise a team of therapists and assistants to provide specific services on a daily basis.
5. To be able to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity in response to parents and children.
6. To work closely with parents who are themselves dealing with anger, grief and frustration as they come to terms with the impact of their child's condition.
7. To provide specialist therapy reports for use within inter-agencies, e.g. educational documentation relevant to the practice setting, standards and guidelines
8. To ensure that up to date written electronic records and activity are maintained in accordance with the professional and organisation standards
9. To provide programmes on a verbal, written basis or using pictorial representation as required to ensure these programmes are accessible to parents/ carers
10. To interpret complex assessment results and identify therapy goals as part of an overall care plan.
11. To contribute to the child's diagnosis by communicating assessment findings to the child's paediatrician, parents/carers and other involved professionals.
12. To make referrals to other professionals and agencies if required to address the child's global needs.
13. To be responsible for the supervision of students and band 5 staff.
14. To undertake Band 5, Band 4 and Band 3 team members appraisals and line management.
15. To plan, organise and provide training to parents/carers and educational staff.
16. To plan and undertake presentation of paediatric therapy related talks both internally and externally.
17. To participate in the delivery of the therapy development plan.
18. To demonstrate participation in continuous professional development in line with the HCPC and professional body requirements.
19. To review and reflect on own practice and performance through a variety of means including the effective use of professional and operational supervision.
20. To apply increasingly more complex skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice as a paediatric therapist.
21. To deputise for the Band 7 when required.
22. To effectively plan the daily management of a caseload of children
23. To respond to urgent referrals as appropriate.
24. To prioritise clinical work and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires.
25. To carry out specialist assessments used to contribute to a multidisciplinary assessment and diagnosis of complex needs
26. To support the tribunal process with guidance from a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist.
27. To use and maintain sound clinical reasoning skills throughout the therapeutic process to ensure best practice and identify risk.
28. To assess clients, carers and other professionals understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
29. Through the use of standardised and non-standardised assessments to clinically determine and recommend the best course of intervention, developing comprehensive therapy plans.
30. To develop and implement therapy and management plans for each child incorporating individual or group therapy sessions and programmes for use at home and/or in education settings.
31. To re-evaluate and progress/adapt therapy programmes at established intervals depending on the needs of each child and the outcomes expected and discharge when appropriate.
32. To use investigative and analytical skills, and to seek guidance from senior staff when appropriate.
33. To plan and implement a range of child-centred individual and/or group interventions, using clinical reasoning skills.
34. To use a range of evidence based therapy/ management options in formulating programmes of care.
35. To evaluate the outcomes of your interventions
36. To demonstrate a working knowledge of and contribute to developing and completing clinical audits and performance information
37. To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research projects.

This job description is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake such other duties from time to time as are consistent with the responsibility of the grade. This job description is subject to review and development from time to time in liaison with the post holder. As an employee of CSH/FCHC you will be required to adhere to all the organisations policies and procedures.

Standards of Business Conduct

1. The post holder will be required to comply with the organisations Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions and, at all times, deal honestly with the organisation, with colleagues and all those who have dealing with the organisation including patients, relatives and suppliers.

To ensure confidentiality in all matters relating to clients, to staff personnel issues and to information obtained during the course of employment. To not release such information to anyone else other than acting in an official capacity. To comply with the regulations of the Data protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.

Safeguarding of children and child protection and adults at risk

It is the responsibility and duty of all staff to safeguard children and adults at risk and promote their welfare. Any identified safeguarding issues or concerns surrounding child protection and adults at risk must be referred by you promptly in accordance with CSH/FCHC policy and procedures. Details of Leads on Safeguarding are detailed in procedure. Please ask your line manager or HR for details.

Performance Review

This job description only covers the key result areas and as such does not intend to provide a comprehensive list of objectives. Specific objectives will be subject to annual review in consultation with the postholder and may develop to meet changing needs of the service.

Equal Opportunities

The organisation aims to maintain the goodwill and confidence of its own staff, service users and the general public. To assist in achieving this objective, it is essential that at all employees carry out their duties in accordance with the organisations Equal Opportunities Policy respecting the differing backgrounds of colleagues and clients.

Infection Control and Prevention

CSH is committed to minimising any risks of healthcare associated infection to patients, visitors and staff. All employees are required to be familiar with and comply with Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures relevant to their area of work. Health and Safety The post holder will be required to observe local Health and Safety arrangements and take reasonable care of him/herself and persons that may be affected by his/her work ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

Health and Safety

1. To follow and promote safe working practices and to comply at all times with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, and CSH/FCHC policies and procedures
2. To assist in the regular monitoring and maintenance of equipment in accordance with Health and Safety regulations.
3. To act immediately on safety notices, hazard warning notices and any other notifications in relation to equipment used/prescribed by the Speech and Language Therapy Service.
4. To take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work and to co-operate with CSH to ensure that statutory and departmental regulations are adhered to.
5. To report all clinical and non-clinical incidents or near misses promptly and to co-operate with any investigations undertaken.

1. It is a condition of employment that identification badges be worn at all times.
2. All staff have a responsibility for security and the proper care of property. In accordance with standing financial instructions all managers have a particular responsibility for security and loss prevention arrangements.

The organisation has adopted a strategy for Continuous Improvement and all members of staff employed by the organisation are expected to play an active role in development and improving services to the benefit of service users. In-service training and development programmes are provided.

Clinical supervision

All Clinicians are expected to undertake clinical supervision.

Registered Health Professional All co-owners/shareholders who are members of a professional body must comply with standards of professional practice/conduct. It is the post holders responsibility to ensure they are both familiar with and adhere to these requirements and maintain their professional membership to the relevant body.

Qualifications

Essential

• B.S.C Hons or recognised degree equivalent qualification in Speech & Language Therapy
• Health care Professions Council registration

Desirable

• Registered Member of professional body

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work autonomously.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance in relation to current best practice and develop skills accordingly.
• Planning and decision making skills and problem solving.
• Computer and internet literate.

Other skills

Essential

• Car owner/driver
• Able to work as a team member
• Flexible worker
• Punctual and reliable
• Able to deal with difficulties involving colleagues / clients
• Creative

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of legislation and government polices related to the specialty.
• Broad knowledge of current best practice.
• Previous therapy experience in the relevant clinical areas related to the post.
• Documented evidence of CPD
• Competent to use standardised assessments.
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to deliver training.

Desirable

• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses relating to the post.
• Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks.
• Training relating to the line management and supervision of assistants and other therapists.
• Experience of training parents, other therapists and other professionals.

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).