Job responsibilities
JOB
PURPOSE
2.1 To assess, diagnose, plan and deliver
speech and language therapy treatment programmes to patients with
communication and swallowing impairments in their care.
2.2 To carry and prioritise their own
clinical caseload as an autonomous practitioner.
2.3 To be responsible for their own
continuing professional and personal development.
2.4 To be responsible for maintaining
accurate and comprehensive speech and language therapy treatment
notes/records for each patient.
3. JOB DIMENSIONS
3.1 The post holder will rotate around
various clinical areas.
3.2 They will be responsible for their own
variable caseload within their specialty area. Access to advice and support from a senior
speech and language therapist is available if required, clinical work is
routinely evaluated.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
5.1 Qualifications
5.1.1 Degree or equivalent
5.2 Experience
5.2.1 A variety of clinical areas experienced
through student placements or previous employment.
5.3 Skills
5.3.1 Competent written and verbal skills
5.3.2 Ability to organise and prioritise own
workload
5.3.3 Time management skills
5.4 Knowledge
5.4.1 Sound theoretical knowledge of speech and
language therapy practice
5.4.2 Awareness of current issues in healthcare
5.4.3 Standards of professional practice
5.5 Personal Attributes
5.5.1 Enthusiastic and self-motivated
5.5.2 Flexible and adaptable
5.5.3 Good interpersonal skills
5.5.4 Ability to work independently and as part
of a team.
7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
7.1 Organisational skills
7.2 Time management skills
7.3 Communication skills
7.4 Professional
8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
8.1 An understanding of the principles of
patient centred care.
8.2 To have a working knowledge of
Professional Standards set by the Royal College of Speech and Language
Therapists and the Health Care Professions Council.
9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF
RESPONSIBILITY
9.1 Clinical
9.1.1 To be professional and legally
responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work relating to the
assessment and treatment of patients in your care undertaking clinical duties
as an autonomous practitioner.
9.1.2 To interpret and analyse clinical and
non-clinical facts to form accurate diagnosis and prognoses across a range of
conditions and to decide on the best course of intervention from a range of
options.
9.1.3 Using investigative and analytical skills
to formulate individualised management and treatment plans.
9.1.4 To accept clinical responsibility for a
designated caseload of patients.
9.1.5 To demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination
and palpatory senses for assessment and manual treatment of patients.
9.1.6 To develop and deliver the speech and
language therapy element of the rehabilitation programme, and on occasion to
deliver some elements normally undertaken by nursing or allied health
professional colleagues.
9.1.7 To be an active member of the speech and
language therapy service.
9.1.8 The working pattern will require
flexibility to ensure safe and effective service provision.
9.1.9 Use a range of verbal and non-verbal
communication tools to communicate effectively with patients to progress
treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding
or communicating.
9.1.10 Ability to work in a stressful environment
imparting information regarding poor rehabilitation prognosis on a daily
basis
9.1.11 Ability to deal effectively with emotional
and/or aggressive patients and/or carers on a daily basis This will
necessitate the use of communication skills e.g. to motivate
9.1.12 Assess patient understanding of treatment
proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the knowledge to work within
a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
9.1.13 To ensure a high standard of clinical care
for patients.
9.2 Education and Training
9.2.1 To provide spontaneous and planned advice
to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the
aims of a specific speech and language therapy treatment plan.
9.2.2 To communicate effectively with patients
and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding
of their condition.
9.2.3 To be an active member of the team
in-service training programme through regular attendance and occasionally
contributing.
9.3 Professional and Managerial
9.3.1 Maintain and develop current knowledge of
evidence based practice in the areas of communication and swallowing,
developing knowledge of a variety of conditions and patient types.
9.3.2 As a member of the clinical team you will
be required to ensure that you implement policy and service development
changes.
9.3.3 To be responsible for maintaining own
competency to practice through Continued Professional Development activities
and maintain a portfolio which reflects your own personal development.
9.3.4 To communicate effectively and work
collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure
delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include case conferences, ward
rounds and discharge planning as appropriate.
9.3.5 To participate in the staff appraisal
scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with your agreed
personal development objectives to meet set knowledge/competencies.
9.3.6 To participate in the measurement and
evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of, audit and
outcome measures, either individually or as part of a clinical team.
9.3.7 To demonstrate an understanding of
clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situation.
9.3.8 To maintain own clinical professional
development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments,
incorporating them as necessary into your work.
9.3.9 In the absence of a senior staff member
to supervise more junior staff, assistants and students.
9.3.10 To allocate individual tasks to assistants
as appropriate.
9.4 Organisational
9.4.1 To be responsible for a designated area
of work, as agreed with the senior speech and language therapist and
plan/organise efficiently and effectively with regard to patients management
and use of time.
9.4.2 To decide priorities for own work load,
balancing patient related demands.
9.4.3 To be responsible for the safe and
competent use of individually prescribed equipment used by patients and
general therapy equipment used by physiotherapy support workers through
teaching, and supervision of practice.
9.4.4 To maintain accurate, comprehensive and
up-to-date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements,
and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate
disciplines in the form of verbal/written reports/letters.
9.4.5 To be involved in the collection of
appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department.
9.4.6 To be aware of Health and Safety aspects
of your work and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the
safety of your work area, including your prompt recording and reporting of
accidents to senior staff, and ensuring that equipment use is safe.
9.4.7 To comply with the organisational and
departmental policies and procedures.
9.4.8 To undertake any other duties that might
be considered appropriate by the senior speech and language therapist.
COMMUNICATION
& WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
10.1 Internal
10.1.1 Line manager speech and language therapist
10.1.2 All grades of speech and language therapy
staff
10.1.3 Medical, nursing and AHP colleagues
10.1.4 Support staff
10.2 External
10.2.1 Speech and language colleagues employed by
other Trusts.
10.2.2.Personnel
working for external agencies.
11. SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS
i) PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Frequently
throughout the day there will be a requirement to undertake moderate physical
activity lasting approximately 30 60 minutes e.g. treatment sessions
involving transferring, manoeuvring and mobilising of patients. Therapeutic
treatment sessions may require this post holder to undertake moving and
handling tasks with patients where mechanical aids are not practical or
appropriate. There may be the requirement for the post holder to travel
between sites within Leeds Health Economy in order to best meet the needs of
the service.
ii) MENTAL EFFORT:
Intense
concentration required for patient assessment and treatment.
iii)
EMOTIONAL EFFORT:
Occasional
exposure to verbal and physical aggression.
iv)
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This
job involves exposure to unpleasant working conditions on a weekly basis
including direct contact with bodily fluids.
