Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Role summary

1. Assess, diagnose and manage patients with communication and swallowing difficulties with The Walton Centre.

2. To support the Principal Speech and Language Therapist in the day to day allocation of work across the Rehabilitation Network.

3. To provide bedside and objective dysphagia assessments as indicated (Video fluoroscopy and FEES) including those with Tracheostomy.

Key Responsibilities / Clinical duties

1. To provide assessment, diagnosis, advice and treatment of patients with complex acquired communication and swallowing disorders.

2. If required, to develop skills in videofluoroscopy and FEES to a level of independent clinical practice following formal training and clinical supervision until deemed competent.

3. To train and advise carers and staff involved in the patient's care as appropriate.

4. To liaise with other members of the Multi-disciplinary team, such as doctors, nurses etc., and inform them of assessment results.

5. To make decisions regarding timing of discharge from the service based on outcome of clinical interventions.

6. To liaise with other teams, agencies, and Speech and Language Therapists in referring for outpatient follow-up on discharge from hospital.

7. To record assessment results in medical case notes.

8. To attend ward meetings where possible.

9. To maintain appropriate and regular case records.

10. To keep accurate statistical information in accordance with departmental policy.

11. To attend Speech and Language Therapy meetings.

12. To support the Principal Speech and Language Therapist in the day-to-day administration of the acute and critical care services.

13. To participate in orientation and induction of staff in liaison with the Principal Speech and Language Therapist.

14. To provide cover for other parts of the service as requested by the Principal Speech and Language Therapist.

15. To keep Principal Speech and Language Therapist informed of any changes in the service or variation in demand.

16. To support the Principal Speech and Language Therapist in areas of service development and project work which impact on the acute and critical care services

17. To propose developments in and changes to service provision in liaison with the Principal Speech and Language Therapist and Therapy Services Manager.

18. To carry out any other duties appropriate to grade of post as delegated by the Principal Speech and Language Therapist.

Clinical Governance

1. To provide departmental data to the Principal Speech and Language Therapist /Therapy Manager regarding patients with Acquired neurological disorders.

2. To devise and undertake audit and review of service delivery and clinical practice in specialist area.

3. To accept and adhere to policies and standards set by The Walton Centre Speech and Language Therapy Department.

4. To actively seek information relating to developments in the treatment of patients with acquired neurological disorders.

5. To keep skills and knowledge up to date as regards evidence based practice and best practice within the field of acquired neurological disorders.

6. To participate in departmental clinical audit including ongoing evaluation of clinical outcomes.

7. To comply with Health and Safety Regulations.

8. . To participate in annual Clinical Governance audit and assist Therapy manager in the development and implementation of a Clinical Governance action plan especially in relation to patients with acquired neurological disorders.

9. To participate in risk assessments in liaison with Therapy manager.

Training and development

1. To provide undergraduate student training, including lecturing at training establishments as requested, and supervision of students on placements in department.

2. To clinically supervise/support Band 5 and Band 6 Speech and Language Therapists in the department. To include advice and feedback on clinical work, prioritisation of caseload and management of clinical time, and responsibility for development reviews.

3. To co-ordinate the service delivery for the acute and critical care services. To include caseload assignment, goal setting, case discussions and therapy options.

4. To train and supervise speech and language therapy assistants.

5. To provide in-service training to other staff members as appropriate, by identifying needs and initiating training workshops/talks.

6. To attend training courses relating to specialist clinical areas.

7. To participate in Personal Performance Plan system, setting targets and objectives for development of skills and competencies.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Postgraduate training in acquired complex dysphagia
• Knowledge and application of different assessments and therapy approaches for speech, language and communication impairments.
• Experience of delivering Speech and Language Therapy interventions to adults.
• Knowledge and application of different forms of dysphagia therapy
• Able to work at a highly specialist level with a complex communication and swallowing caseload across acquired neurological disorders including progressive diseases
• Ability to work as part of a team, including good communication skills required to be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good understanding of issues involved in service provision
• Good understanding of Clinical Governance issues.
• Good understanding of issues involved in supervision of staff
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to recognize own training needs.
• Able to maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of the client and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clients difficulties and implications of the same.
• Good insight into professional boundaries and when to refer on/ seek further advice.
• To demonstrate adherence to Trust Values at all times.

Desirable

• Postgraduate training in Videofluoroscopy
• Postgraduate training in FEES
• Able to carry out FEES
• Skills in use and interpretation of Videofluoroscopy studies
• Able to work independently with patients with a tracheostomy.
• Experience of supporting service development projects.
• Experience of delivering Speech and Language Therapy within an inpatient setting.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and Health Professions Council (HPC)

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

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Walton Centre

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ

Employer's website

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