Speech and Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

To independently manage a SLT caseload for adults with a learning disability within an inter-disciplinary team to include clients who may have challenging behaviour, dual diagnosis, autistic spectrum disorder, and profound and multiple learning disabilities.

To assess, diagnose, and analyse the range of treatment options, make decisions, carry out clinical management, review and evaluate outcomes for complex cases of communication disability were there are barriers to understanding. To use evidence-based practice and work within a quality, risk, performance framework.

To formulate reports to explain the persons communication needs, therapy, and prognosis for a range of audiences including families and other professionals.

To maintain clinical care records in accordance to Professional and Trust standards.

To employ excellent interpersonal communication skills with clients were there are barriers to understanding, for example adults with severe learning disabilities/cognitive impairment, with associated physical disability, deafness or visual impairment.

To use, teach and advise upon a range of Alternative and Augmentative Communication and Total Communication strategies.

To use Makaton, to programme communication aids, to select and to use I.T. graphics packages to produce accessible information, demonstrating highly developed hand-eye co-ordination and sensory skills.

To work in partnership, with other professionals and agencies regarding the clients diagnosis and recommended case management. To be responsible for recognising the need for and organising case conferences for people on the caseload.

To supervise students and assistant speech and language therapists.

To be a registered member of R.C.S.L.T. and H.C.P.C. adhering to the clinical guidelines and standards of practice. To evaluate and contribute to professional reviews of clinical standards and guidelines.

To research and subsequently advise other professionals and services regarding the communication needs of individual clients. This includes working with primary and secondary health care staff, social services, medics and education.

To provide guidance and training to carers and other professionals within the clients environment about optimising the clients communication environment.

MANAGERIAL

To manage own caseload delivering a high quality, effective and efficient Speech and Language Therapy Service to adults with learning disabilities.

To manage projects as delegated.

To be responsible for own caseload management, prioritisation of work; and to contribute to the collation of information.

To supervise SLT Assistants work with clients on own caseload.

To monitor and evaluate own clinical practice against professional standards, guidelines and policies.

To advise the SLT Therapy Manager of Service delivery issues.

To report any problems with equipment or stock to the SLT Therapy Manager. To identify the need for and to request new equipment, resources and assessment tools.

To be responsible for own equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained.

To resolve informal complaints and inform the Therapy Manager of these. To report formal complaints to the Therapy Manager.

To contribute to policies, protocols care pathways and audits for Speech and Language Therapy related issues.

To be aware of, adhere to and implement Trust policies.

To identify the need for a service development, and discuss with SLT Therapy Manager.

To contribute to the service business plan as requested.

EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

To research, evidence-base, develop, design and provide specialist training courses related to adult communication disability, adult challenging behaviour, and PMLD.

To provide training for a range of audiences including families, staff, medics, professionals and HEI under-graduates and post-graduates.

To provide formal training to large audiences, using audio visual aids, to communicate complex information about communication needs.

To attend Specific Interest Groups to maintain, develop and contribute to clinical knowledge and advances in specialist area of SLT.

To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including Working with Vulnerable Adults, Child Protection, Valuing People and other legal frameworks

Participate in regular supervision, engage in reflective practice and be committed to continued development.

Develop own skills and knowledge and contribute to the development of others.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registration with Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) or in the process of obtaining registration if newly qualified

Desirable

• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

Knowledge/ Experience

Essential

• Experience of assessing and diagnosing speech, language and communication difficulties
• Knowledge of Speech and Language Therapy assessments and appropriate experience of using assessments
• Evidence of good IT skills including the use of a range of software (including symbol software packages
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills both written and verbal
• Knowledge of current key RCSLT and national developments and policies driving current practice

Desirable

• Experience of managing a Speech and Language Therapy caseload (with supervision)
• Experience of working with children/adults as applicable to the role
• Experience of working with dysphagia
• Experience of delivering/developing training to staff/carers
• Experience of using iPads and other forms of technology
• Experience of facilitating groups

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work with service users who exhibit behaviours that may be considered challenging appropriate training
• Engaging leadership style
• Strong customer service belief
• Transparency and honesty

Values

Essential

• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability
• Respectfulness
• Enthusiasm
• Support
• High professional standards
• Responsive to service users
• Engaging leadership style
• Strong customer service belief
• Transparency and honesty
• Discreet
• Change oriented

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).