Job summary
We are seeking a motivated, Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our community Learning Disability Healthcare Team. As a friendly and dynamic team we provide specialist services for adults with learning disabilities across Wandsworth. The role will include carrying out specialist assessments and interventions for individuals with a range of communication and swallowing needs. Assessment and intervention will take place in a variety of community settings including clients' own homes, supported living facilities, registered care homes and community day services.
The applicant should be a confident practitioner who has the flexibility to meet the demands of a busy service and is dysphagia competent (however applicants looking to work towards these competencies may be considered). The role will also include working with adults with complex behaviours utilising Positive Behavioural support and/or mental health needs alongside their learning disability. Experience of working within Learning disabilities is desirable. You will need to be forward thinking and enjoy a challenge, being able to work as part of a large team, whilst being able to work under your own initiative.
Main duties of the job
o To autonomously manage a general caseload of adults with a learning disability, who have complex needs, within the context of a multidisciplinary and multi agency team. Some of these clients will have English as an additional language.
o To provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for clients with developmental speech, language and communication difficulties and dysphagia
o To deliver therapy intervention in residential, community, day service and educational settings and to ensure that therapy is embedded in the client's daily routines.
o To work as a member of the SLT team providing an efficient and effective service, liaising with internal and external agencies. He/she will provide timely and targeted individualised management, treatment and advice for clients, involving families, carers and professionals and providing appropriate recommendations and training to professionals from other agencies and other disciplines.
o To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, initiating, participating and supporting the line manager in team development and service improvement, ensuring that systems and processes are in place to deliver an efficient and effective service
o To participate in continuing professional development and other activities to maintain evidence based best practice. He/she will also assist with the work of student placements, assistants and colleagues and will provide observation opportunities for other professionals.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, direct and indirect intervention for clients with complex speech, language and communication disorders, who may have challenging behaviour and or a mental health diagnosis
To provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, direct and indirect intervention for clients with complex dysphagia
To use investigative skills and a broad knowledge of standardised assessments together with sound, analytical clinical reasoning skills in order to form a baseline measure or differential diagnosis from which to plan a programme of intervention.
To use a holistic, client-centred approach, gathering and synthesising information from other professionals and parents/carers, in order to ensure that intervention packages are best suited to the client, family and place of delivery.
To liaise with other colleagues and professional groups to refer clients for further investigation and/or second opinion as required such as Clinical Psychologists, Consultant Psychiatrists, specialist centres, out of borough specialists.
To assess clients using clinical/technical skills including listening, phonetic transcription and analysis, linguistic profiling based on linguistic models of development, social communication analysis, use of AAC such as signing and use of electronic communication aids and a range of formal and psychological assessment tools.
To demonstrate acute observational skills in working with clients with profound and multiple learning disabilities who display subtle communication.
To develop and implement specialised Speech and Language treatment plans for individuals and groups as well as to advise others regarding the management and care of clients with communication needs and oro-motor difficulties.
To provide detailed and clear SLT targets and programmes fully integrated into the clients multidisciplinary aims and goals across multiple environments or agencies (college, school, day centre, clients own home, workplace, psychiatric wards, local community etc.) in consultation with carers and staff. The post holder will demonstrate clear clinical reasoning and use therapeutic activities and techniques and strategies which are meaningful and appropriate to the clients cognitive ability level and social cultural and educational background.
To empower parents, carers and staff in understanding the nature of the clients disability or dysfunction and the impact of this on their learning, communication and behaviour. This will enable the clients environment to best support his difficulties and potential development.
To ensure clinical effectiveness of intervention packages by evaluating evidence based practice and outcome measures, where there may be conflicting or inconclusive evidence or where families or educational settings are requesting specific approaches.
To independently manage and prioritise a defined caseload, balancing own workload of both direct and indirect contacts.
To be skilled in establishing and maintaining sustained communication with a client, building trust to such a level that samples of speech, social interaction and language can be elicited as a key part of assessment and treatment procedures.
To manage the emotional consequences of working with clients with distressing conditions and be aware of the needs, demands and pressures on their families.
To provide therapy intervention for clients taking account of the impact of communication breakdown on the clients emotional wellbeing, mental health, functional ability, life chances, family dynamics and social and educational inclusion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, direct and indirect intervention for clients with complex speech, language and communication disorders, who may have challenging behaviour and or a mental health diagnosis
To provide specialist assessment, diagnosis, direct and indirect intervention for clients with complex dysphagia
To use investigative skills and a broad knowledge of standardised assessments together with sound, analytical clinical reasoning skills in order to form a baseline measure or differential diagnosis from which to plan a programme of intervention.
To use a holistic, client-centred approach, gathering and synthesising information from other professionals and parents/carers, in order to ensure that intervention packages are best suited to the client, family and place of delivery.
To liaise with other colleagues and professional groups to refer clients for further investigation and/or second opinion as required such as Clinical Psychologists, Consultant Psychiatrists, specialist centres, out of borough specialists.
To assess clients using clinical/technical skills including listening, phonetic transcription and analysis, linguistic profiling based on linguistic models of development, social communication analysis, use of AAC such as signing and use of electronic communication aids and a range of formal and psychological assessment tools.
To demonstrate acute observational skills in working with clients with profound and multiple learning disabilities who display subtle communication.
To develop and implement specialised Speech and Language treatment plans for individuals and groups as well as to advise others regarding the management and care of clients with communication needs and oro-motor difficulties.
To provide detailed and clear SLT targets and programmes fully integrated into the clients multidisciplinary aims and goals across multiple environments or agencies (college, school, day centre, clients own home, workplace, psychiatric wards, local community etc.) in consultation with carers and staff. The post holder will demonstrate clear clinical reasoning and use therapeutic activities and techniques and strategies which are meaningful and appropriate to the clients cognitive ability level and social cultural and educational background.
To empower parents, carers and staff in understanding the nature of the clients disability or dysfunction and the impact of this on their learning, communication and behaviour. This will enable the clients environment to best support his difficulties and potential development.
To ensure clinical effectiveness of intervention packages by evaluating evidence based practice and outcome measures, where there may be conflicting or inconclusive evidence or where families or educational settings are requesting specific approaches.
To independently manage and prioritise a defined caseload, balancing own workload of both direct and indirect contacts.
To be skilled in establishing and maintaining sustained communication with a client, building trust to such a level that samples of speech, social interaction and language can be elicited as a key part of assessment and treatment procedures.
To manage the emotional consequences of working with clients with distressing conditions and be aware of the needs, demands and pressures on their families.
To provide therapy intervention for clients taking account of the impact of communication breakdown on the clients emotional wellbeing, mental health, functional ability, life chances, family dynamics and social and educational inclusion.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
- Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Desirable
- Post registration dysphagia training
- Post graduate training e.g. Makaton, Talking Mats, Challenging Behaviour
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience at undergraduate/post graduate level
- Evidence of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working
Desirable
- Experience of paid work in the NHS
- Experience of working with people with a learning disability
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Broad knowledge of current best practice in SLT and Learning Disabilities
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of communication impairments
- Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group
- In depth knowledge of national policies and procedures [relevant to the client group]
- In depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
Desirable
- In depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
- Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Desirable
- Post registration dysphagia training
- Post graduate training e.g. Makaton, Talking Mats, Challenging Behaviour
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience at undergraduate/post graduate level
- Evidence of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working
Desirable
- Experience of paid work in the NHS
- Experience of working with people with a learning disability
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Broad knowledge of current best practice in SLT and Learning Disabilities
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of communication impairments
- Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group
- In depth knowledge of national policies and procedures [relevant to the client group]
- In depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
Desirable
- In depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
