Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Result Areas & Performance: To assess, develop and implement speech and language therapy treatment for patients with communication and swallowing problems To manage and prioritise your caseload and workload independently To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment, seeking advice as appropriate To employ counselling skills with patients and carers To write therapy programmes to be carried out by the speech and language therapy assistant To demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of the current rotation, underpinned by current evidenced based practice To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a specialist therapist working in the respective fields. To maintain HPC and RCSLT registration and ensure it is up to date To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice in your clinical area To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by the use of evidence based practice and outcome measures To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies To have due regard for your own personal safety and that of clients and carers, in particular to have regard to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies, lone working and ensure the safe positioning of self and others

Organisational To be aware of, adhere to and implement service and team plans and policies To use your specialist knowledge to inform service/policy developments as appropriate To attend meetings at the request of the service manager To consult with service users regarding service developments wherever possible, within existing resources To participate in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness within Speech and Language Therapy and the Trust in general To develop care protocols/packages informed by the evidence of your clinical specialism in liaison with your supervisor and/or service manager To develop Clinical Governance/audit projects within the speech and language therapy services To develop local clinical guidelines informed by the evidence of your clinical specialism. To demonstrate the ability to reflect on your practice with peers and mentors and identify your own strengths and development needs To contribute to interagency/multi-disciplinary team building To assist with the identification of training needs within the team

Professional To be accountable for your own professional action and recognise your professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate. To attend and contribute to departmental CPD sessions participating in peer review. To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients. To demonstrate a working knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance and their application to professional practice. To gather activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines. To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects. To collect and provide research data as required. To demonstrate negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible and following the Trust complaints procedure. To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties. To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to, RCSLT Professional and Clinical and National and Local Clinical Guidelines.

FinancialTo monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate

PartnershipsCommunications and Relationships To negotiate therapy goals with patients, their carers and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) To provide information, support and training to relatives and patients To write reports for other professionals reflecting your knowledge of communication and swallowing To communicate complex condition related information from assessment and intervention to clients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions To attend ward rounds, case conferences, rehabilitation meetings and other multidisciplinary meetings. To ensure a two-way exchange of information with these parties to help decide on the best course of intervention for each individual To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist To provide advice on speech and language therapy to non-specialists and other specialists/professionals within clinical field To participate in the development and delivery of training (formal and informal) to others in area of clinical expertise

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in SLT
• Fully registered member of RCSLT
• Registration with HCPC

Experience

Essential

• Undergraduate experience of treatment of adults with acquired neurological disorders of communication and swallowing
• Experience of group working with adults in therapeutic setting
• Experience of working with adults with swallowing difficulties

Desirable

• Awareness and interest in alternative and augmentative communication

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of knowledge of own clinical skills and initiative in continuing development
• Knowledge of evidence base for effective treatment for adults with communication and swallowing disorders
• Knowledge of particular needs of patients in acute settings

Desirable

• Knowledge of recent changes in NHS

Ability

Essential

• Ability to learn from clinical experience
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to clinical practice
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing
• Problem solving ability
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Ability to develop assertiveness skills
• Basic IT skills

Desirable

• Presentation skills

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Stadium Road

London

SE18 4QH

Employer's website

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