Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. To demonstrate an ability to implement interventions and staff development at a whole school level including joint target setting and outcome monitoring.

2. To demonstrate specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of language and communication problems in young children and school aged children up to 11 years, providing appropriate specialist assessment and intervention and evaluating outcomes.

3. To demonstrate specialist knowledge in this clinical area underpinned by current evidence-based practice and outcome measures

To make appropriate differential diagnoses and specialist clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases

To be knowledgeable in a range of appropriate communication interventions, strategies and approaches for children with complex communication needs including low tech AAC.

To use / apply specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management, developing clear care plans based on best practice

To demonstrate an understanding of how to develop and differentiate and develop communication friendly schemes of work.

To work with the Camden Early Years Service and Camden Service for Young People to support effective transition of children into and out of this service provision.

To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of children with a wide range of SLCN, including Autism.

To work closely with children, carers and families, in order to agree plan of management.

To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible

To employ excellent communication skills.

To demonstrate skills in motivating children and /or carers to engage in the interventions, targets and outcomes.

To employ counselling skills with parents/carers of children on the caseload.

To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the children difficulties and implications of the same.

To demonstrate the ability to manage children with challenging behaviours including the application of appropriate management strategies as designated by the commissioning provisions.

To monitor and review the progress of children against the targets set and agreed, and to modify targets as appropriate.

To reflect on clinical practice both individually and with peers identifying strengths and needs and providing evidence of sound clinical judgements, based on research and evidence-based practice.

To demonstrate knowledge of current policies and practice in education and incorporate these into the model of working as appropriate e.g. the local offer.

To manage and prioritise a specialist caseload under supervision, advising line manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc

To contribute to multi-agency assessment procedures as required, including Educational, Health and Social Care Plans.

To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues and situations, recognising and resolving potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs

To ensure that children are referred on to other services as appropriate.

To contribute to Whittington Healths systems of clinical governance, developing innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness in collaboration with others

To be accountable for professional action and recognising professional boundaries, and working within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct

Liaison and Teamwork:

1. To contribute to the function of clinical teams both multi disciplinary and uni disciplinary by discussing own and others input around childrens needs ensuring a well co-ordinated care plan.

2. To liaise and share information with health, educational and other professionals as appropriate, observing data protection guidelines

3. To contribute to meetings, annual reviews, case conferences and multi-agency team meetings, as appropriate, contributing to inter-agency / multi-agency team building and policy development where appropriate, e.g. education, social services and the voluntary sector.

4. To provide clinical placements for under graduate, post graduate and MSc Speech and Language Therapy students as required.

5. To undertake any other duties as required by the Head of Speech and Language Therapy, which may include a change in workplace.

Administration

1. To carry out administrative duties including activity data collection, updating this accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines

2. 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

Personal and Professional Development

To participate in annual appraisal ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service, School and organisational plans.

To attend specialist short courses and advanced training in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a specialist SLT working in this field and maintain up to date HPC and RCSLT registration

3. To contribute to team meetings and participate in in-service training as required.

Person Specification

Education, qualifications, training

Essential

• Diploma, Degree or MSc in Speech and Language Therapy
• Health and Care Professions Council Registration to Practice
• Registered Member of RCSLT
• Completion of RCSLT Newly Qualified Practitioner Goals

Skills/abilities

Essential

• Clinical skills and post graduate experience in the assessment and differential diagnosis of children in mainstream schools who present with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties

Experience

Essential

• Of working at a specialist level with clients with a range of speech, language and communication needs of different ages
• Experience of delivering training to a range of audiences e.g. teachers, teaching assistants and specialist education and health professionals.
• Writing statutory assessment advice and awareness of SEN and Educational policies and Education Health and Care Plans

Knowledge

Essential

• Of a specialist range of direct and indirect interventions relevant to communication demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches (where appropriate)

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

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Robson House, Netley Campus

72-76 Stanhope Street

London

NW1 3EX

Employer's website

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