Senior Speech and Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

Purpose:

- To provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions for patients on the rehabilitation ward at Woking Hospital, in outpatient clinics, and patients in the community who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties, resulting from a variety of acquired or progressive neurological conditions or frailty.

- To provide advice, support and education for patients and their families/carers, and offer

training to students, and other Health Care Professionals.

- To be able to work independently and as part of a Team, and to participate in innovative

projects and service development to benefit patients and colleagues.

Patient Care Responsibilities

1. Be able to work autonomously, with a specialist, often complex caseload, to assess, diagnose, develop and implement programmes of care. Supported by clinical supervision and SLT Lead.

2. Assess, differentially diagnose, formulate treatment plans (in collaboration with patients and carers), write assessment reports, identify and choose appropriate therapeutic or clinical management techniques from a range of options, provide appropriate therapeutic intervention, and evaluate treatment outcomes.

3. Demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.

4. Provide complex and sensitive information to patients in a manner that they can understand e.g. regarding cognitive changes

5. Refer on for specialist assessment for Assistive and Augmentative communication. Liaise with specialist centres to provide continuity of care and help source funding for equipment.

6. Liaise with a wide range of professional colleagues and other agencies to ensure comprehensive management of the patient e.g. attendance at ward meetings and case conferences and telephone liaison e.g. with GPs, dieticians and social services.

7. Plan for patient discharge, ensuring appropriate onward referral and liaison as required.

8. Adapt practice to meet individual patient circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.

9. Complete incident forms where appropriate and discuss pertinent issues regarding safeguarding/incidents with Speech & Language Therapy Lead and others involved.

10. Work with patients with a variety of diagnoses and their carers/families, across the teams geographical patch. Working flexibly to provide an equitable service to all patients, as the caseload determines and to cover periods of staff absence

11. Work with a designated caseload and be flexible to carry out work in other areas of the wider SLT Team to facilitate equity of service provision for all patients (according to level of experience and competence) as requested by Speech and Language Therapy Lead, and to further develop own professional practice.

Experience

Essential

• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance and audit
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping
• Evidence of applying evidence-based practice and research
• Knowledge and experience of working with adults with dysphagia &/or communication difficulties
• Minimum of 18 months working at a junior level with patients in specialist area e.g. Adults, Neurological patients with communication and/or swallowing difficulties
• Experience of assisting with training and supporting students
• Excellent experience of setting patient-centred goals & providing outcomes

Desirable

• Experience of working on wards or in outpatient clinics
• Ability to transcribe speech phonetically
• Evidence of contribution to publications and/or locally known within field of emerging expertise
• Evidence of presentations at conferences locally/nationally / or
• provision of training
• Experience of translating government and professional guidance into departmental policy and procedure
• Working knowledge and appreciation of NHS strategy, policies and research ethics
• Updated knowledge of National Policies and procedures relevant to SLT service.
• Evidence showing completion of previous Statutory & Mandatory training e.g. Safeguarding Adults, Mental Capacity Act, Information Governance etc
• Evidence of maintaining and on-going development of clinical skills and theoretical knowledge in area of clinical specialism
• Experience of supporting students

Behaviours and Values

Essential

• Effective communicator
• Empathetic
• Assertive
• Demonstrated initiative and self-direction
• Team player
• Professional attitude to working practice, colleagues, and public

Qualifications

Essential

• A recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or Qualification
• Health and Care Professions Council registration
• A member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Evidence of postgraduate courses or other CPD in relevant fields such as dysphagia trained
• Evidence of continuing professional development with identifiable outcomes.
• Full UK or equivalent driving licence and a car for work purposes

Desirable

• A member of Clinical Excellence Networks and demonstrable evidence of regular attendance at these events
• OR ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills in relevant clinical areas.

Skills

Essential

• Good presentation skills, both verbal & written
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including advanced observation, empathy and listening
• An excellent working knowledge of IT
• Able to work as part of a team but also using own initiative
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills
• Good analytical and reflection skills
• Committed to personal/professional development and skill acquisition
• Able to take theoretical knowledge and professional skills and apply them to the management of patients
• Able to work in busy environment, maintaining calm and a sense of humour
• Able to offer a flexible approach to work and caseloads

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).