Job responsibilities
JOB
PURPOSE
2.1 To perform communication and swallowing
assessment on patients with diverse
presentations and complex neurological and psychological conditions, to provide a diagnosis and
develop and deliver an individualised
treatment programme. Provide equitable, evidence based input at the appropriate points
along the care pathway ensuring all patients
have opportunity to maximise their swallowing and communication function.
2.2 To work across a range of clinical
settings.
2.3 To be responsible for their own
continuing professional and personal development.
3. JOB DIMENSIONS
3.1 To hold responsibility for own case
load and be responsible for a defined area of the service or a particular
patient type, working without direct supervision. Access to advice and support from a senior
Speech and Language Therapist is available if required, clinical work is not
routinely evaluated.
3.2 To undertake all aspects of clinical
duties as an autonomous practitioner
within this specialist field.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
5.1 Qualifications
5.1.1 SLT Degree or equivalent
5.1.2 Attendance on relevant post graduate
courses
5.2 Experience
5.2.1 Significant experience working as a
Speech and Language Therapist
5.2.2 Working with a wide range of
professionals including medical, nursing and therapy colleagues
5.3 Skills
5.3.1 Ability to communicate effectively
verbally and in writing
5.3.2 Ability to prioritise, organise and
allocate workload
5.3.3 Time management skills
5.4 Knowledge
5.4.1 Insight into clinical specialty e.g.
thorough academic study at post graduate level or equivalent
5.4.2 Insight into current professional issues
and those influencing the NHS
5.4.3 Standards of professional practice
5.5 Personal Attributes
5.5.1 Professional and patient focused
5.5.2 Ability to work independently and as part
of a team
5.5.3 Flexible, adaptable, capable of lateral
thinking
5.5.4 Good interpersonal skills
7. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
7.1 Teaching skills with the ability to use
various media
7.2 Communication skills
7.3 Time management skills
7.4 Team player
7.5 Professional
7.6 Research conscious
8.
CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
8.1 An understanding of the organisational
structure and working practices of this specialist area.
8.2 To have a working knowledge of
Professional Standards set by the Royal College of Speech and Language
Therapists, Health Professions Council and National Standards e.g. NSFs
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 undertake the comprehensive assessment
and treatment of patients including those with diverse/complex /multi
pathological presentation. This will
necessitate the use of investigative and analytical skills to formulate an
accurate diagnosis and treatment from a range of options.
9.1.3 Using investigative and analytical skills
to formulate individualised management and treatment plans including the
development of comprehensive discharge plans.
9.1.4 To accept clinical responsibility for a
designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively and
efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
9.1.5 To demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination
and palpatory skills in the 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 occupational therapy colleagues.
9.1.7 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.
9.1.8 Ability to work in a stressful
environment imparting information regarding poor rehabilitation prognosis on
a daily basis.
9.1.9 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 and reassure.
9.1.10 Assess patient understanding of treatment
proposals, gain valid informed consent working as a facilitator in this
process and have the knowledge to work within a legal framework with patients
who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
9.1.11 To ensure a high standard of clinical care
for the patients under your management and support more junior staff/students
to do likewise.
9.1.12 Formulate and deliver Speech and Language
Therapy treatment programmes based on
a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using
clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of treatment options
e.g. Speech and Language Therapy
assessments, individual treatment programs, clinics and other alternative
options
9.1.13 Represent the Speech and Language Therapy
service and /or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to
ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service, and
integration of Speech and Language Therapy treatment. This will include discussion of patient
care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.
9.2 Education and Training
9.2.1 To provide spontaneous and planned
advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other
professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of Speech and Language
Therapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
9.2.2 To communicate effectively with patients
and carers to maximise rehabilitation potential and to ensure understanding
of their condition.
9.2.3 Be an active member of the in-service
training programme by attendance at, and participation in, tutorials,
individual training sessions, external courses, peer review and reflective
practice.
9.2.4 To contribute to the teaching of student
Speech and Language Therapists to graduate level on Speech and Language
Therapy skills and knowledge within core clinical areas.
9.2.5 Teach, assess and contribute to the
performance assessment and appraisal of junior Speech and Language Therapists
and Speech and Language Therapy assistant staff.
9.2.6 To provide daily support, guidance and
training to junior Speech and Language Therapists, support workers and
students, assessing, evaluating and ensuring competence.
9.3 Professional and Managerial
9.3.1 Maintain and develop current knowledge of
evidence based practice in the areas of each rotation, developing knowledge
of a variety of conditions and patient types.
9.3.2 As a senior member of the clinical team
you may be required to ensure that you implement policy and service
development changes and ensure others do likewise.
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 appraiser and be responsible for complying with
your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and
competencies.
9.3.6 To undertake the measurement and
evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence
based projects, audit and outcome measures, either individually or with
others. Make recommendations for change
as appropriate.
9.3.7 To demonstrate an understanding of
Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.
9.3.8 To maintain own continuing professional
development 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, technical instructors, assistants and
students.
9.3.10 To allocate individual tasks to more
junior staff and support workers as required.
Organisational
9.4.1 To be responsible for a designated area
of work, as agreed with the Superintendent Speech and Language
Therapists and to plan and organise
efficiently and effectively with regard to patients management and use of time.
9.4.2 To decide priorities for own workload,
balancing other 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 Speech and Language Therapy staff 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 actively 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 and to be involved in their reviewing as
appropriate.
9.4.8 To undertake any other duties that might
be considered appropriate by the Clinical Lead or the Head of Speech and
Language Therapy.
