Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

Under the direct or indirect clinical supervision of the highly specialist speech and language therapist you will undertake the following duties.

a. To assume responsibility and accountability for a caseload of patients with speech and language therapy needs holding the duty of care and prioritising and managing the caseload independently based on the principles of risk and clinical risk, liaising with and referring to senior clinicians and relevant agencies as appropriate.

b. Be responsible for assessment and management of a clinical caseload of patients with speech and language therapy needs.

c. Undertake comprehensive speech and language therapy assessment of patients using investigative and analytical skills, to formulate an appropriate hypothesis and to determine a diagnosis and to determine a therapy management plan.

d. Provide a comprehensive assessment and management plan of service users clinical risk.

e. Work with the individual and their care team to develop Communication Treatment and Care plan and integrate these into Positive Behavioural Support plans.

f. Develop communication profiles with individuals and their care teams to support them to improve access to therapy.

g. Promote health and reduce inequalities for all patients accessing the speech and language therapy service, so that they may be able to maximise their potential in terms of health education and social well-being.

h. Contribute to training and development programmes as appropriate to the knowledge and skills of the individual, delivering to other professionals and service users.

i. To assess, develop and implement Speech and Language Therapy treatment.

J. To work collaboratively with other agencies and carers for the purpose of differential diagnosis and to ensure that the persons communication needs are appropriately addressed.

k. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of clients with communication and/or feeding difficulties.

l. To adapt practice to meet individual patients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.

m. To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to clients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions.

n. To work closely with clients, carers and families, agreeing decision making relevant to the patient/client management.

o. To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.

p. To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties

q. To reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of persons communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.

r. To negotiate with carers, clients and others around individual case management.

s. To make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment seeking support and advice from supervisor as appropriate.

t. To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment seeking advice as appropriate.

u. To demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients / clients.

v. Establish effective communication networks as appropriate in the wider multi-disciplinary team, social services, third and private sector agencies.

w. Ensure that up-to-date written and electronic records, and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards, and that sensitive information is held securely.

x. Provide timely professional reports demonstrating an analysis of assessment findings, plans for interventions, clients progress, and recommendations and/or advice for other workers.

y. Research new ideas in order to develop the service with specific reference to working with people with learning disabilities who have complex needs.

z. To be fully involved in training initiatives and be able to plan and implement in specific training to other staff when required.

aa. To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts to develop specialised packages of care for patients, families and carers incorporating individual treatment plans and goals based upon clinical reasoning skills.

bb. The post holder will be responsible for embedding the quality strategy within the service and specific development projects.

cc. Support the development of patient related outcome measures

dd. To participate in delegated projects as required.

Qualifications

Essential

• Completion of a recognised training course awarding a relevant degree (e.g. RCSLT and HPC).
• Evidence of relevant post graduate experience and training.
• Registered with HPC
• Member of RCSLT

Desirable

• Post graduate certificate in speciality

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

• Minimum of 18 months post qualification experience treating a variety of patients relevant to the post.
• Knowledge of a range of communication and feeding difficulties and their management relevant to the post.
• Knowledge of a range of Alternative and Augmentative systems of communication.
• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the people who use the service.
• Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the people who use the service.
• Awareness of principles of clinical governance / audit.
• Awareness of the roles of other professionals relevant to the people who use the service.
• Awareness of standards of record keeping.
• Awareness of confidentiality as relating to the NHS.

Desirable

• Experience working with dysphagia.
• Experience of delivering / developing training to staff / carers
• Experience of facilitating groups

Skills

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills - including listening and empathy skills.
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Good analytical and reflection skills
• Good organisational skills
• Prioritisation and time management skills
• Good presentation skills (written and verbal)

Values

Essential

• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability
• Respectfulness
• Enthusiasm
• Responsive to service users
• Engaging leadership style
• Strong customer service belief
• Transparency and honesty
• Discreet

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).