Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Paediatric Autism

Job description

Job responsibilities

As Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in the field of Paediatric Autism, this post has overall responsibility for co-ordinating / overseeing and providing the Autism service for preschool and primary age autistic children.

Main roles:

To line manage the therapists working in this specialism

Jointly with the Head of Service to play a key role in developing the strategy for Paediatric Autism for the department.

To provide supervision to therapists working in the area of Paediatric Autism

To manage a caseload of children with highly complex Autism needs.

To carry out assessment and differential diagnosis of childrens difficulties (working closely with both the family and the setting)

To regularly provide specialist training packages to parents, carers, professionals and colleagues, both formally and informally, to extend others skills and knowledge in the field.

Timely and appropriate onward referral of children who have additional difficulties or needs (e.g. dysphagia, general learning difficulties), ensuring a co-ordinated approach

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To plan, organise and provide highly specialist SLT services for autistic children;

To exercise full responsibility and autonomy for a highly complex caseload of children with Paediatric Autism.

To prioritise own caseload and manage own workload efficiently and effectively.

To work effectively as a member of a multi-agency team, to contribute specialist assessment and advice regarding the Autism needs of children with highly complex developmental and health needs as part of their differential diagnosis.

To use specialist knowledge to assess and analyse information gathered using a range of observational, informal and formal assessments, in order to build a diagnosis on which to base individualised treatment plans.

To use specialist knowledge and training to independently manage children with Autistic needs, including those with additional complex needs / medical conditions e.g. cleft lip and palate, cerebral palsy, degenerative and genetic conditions, prematurity, etc.

To negotiate with others e.g. parents / carers, Consultants, etc., around case management in complex cases.

To provide expert advice and assessment of Autism in preschool and primary aged children in their homes, nurseries, mainstream and special schools.

To provide individual management plans and programmes based on specialist assessment and ensure those carrying out those plans fully understand how and why they have been recommended to do so.

To write reports reflecting expert knowledge in a clear and concise manner to enable others to make informed decisions.

To formulate clear care plans based on best practice.

To evaluate outcomes of therapy.

To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning assessment findings and provision of care for clients.

To assist parents / carers to understand and accept the long-term impact and implications of a diagnosis of autism

To recognise and manage emotional needs of client / carer when imparting potentially distressing information.

To employ excellent communication, negotiation and counselling skills in order to facilitate client and carers engagement in the therapeutic process.

To liaise with other professions and teams both locally and outside of the Trust (e.g. MDTs within Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust (CWPT) to receive and act on their recommendations and also provide expert consultation and advice based on own specialist assessment and observation.

To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and generate solutions.

To attend formal review meetings in educational and health settings.

To contribute to Statement of Special Educational Needs according to Department Policy.

To organise and facilitate multi-disciplinary case reviews, as appropriate.

To work within infection control guidelines to ensure that therapy/treatment/care does not constitute a risk of infection either to the healthcare professional, to the client or to any persons visiting/working in trust premises

Additional Highly Specialist Responsibilities

To assist other SLTs in carrying out case management in a variety of settings in a consultative and / or supervisory capacity.

To provide and receive peer supervision with other Highly Specialist Paediatric Autism SLTs

To provide clinical placements and supervision for SLTs both within and outside South Warwickshire

To provide supervision and support for less experienced SLTs in the area of Paediatric Autism, to ensure safe and effective practice.

To participate in recruitment, both internally and externally, as an external assessor of therapists for Paediatric Autism Posts.

To take responsibility of the role of Expert SLT, as a member of the Regional Register of Expert SLTs. This involves providing second opinions on highly complex cases where there may be disagreement between families and other professionals on the nature / severity of the disorder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Health Professions Council Registration
• Evidence of continuing professional development since qualification, which includes successful completion of relevant Specialist short courses up to Master's Degree level.
• Membership of CEN/ Specific Interest Group
• MSc or equivalent experience in relevant field.
• Postgraduate course in counselling.

Desirable

• Attendance on ADOS Course
• PACT accredited
• Attendance on SCERTS course
• Attendance on Gestalt training

Experience

Essential

• Very significant experience post registration in Paediatrics, including significant working with children with highly complex needs.
• Significant experience at a Post Graduate level of Paediatric Autism Management.
• Demonstrates post Graduate competencies of working with specialised clinical groups e.g. prematurity, ADHD, epilepsy, complex syndromes and neurological conditions.
• Experience of supervising less experienced SLT colleagues.
• Experience of supervising SLT and SLT assistants.
• Experience of providing second opinions.
• Experience of devising and delivering training packages.
• Experience of working with Multi-Disciplinary Teams.

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

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Acorn House

Coventry Road

Warwick

CV34 4RT

Employer's website

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