Band 5 Speech & Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Duties

a.SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Patient/client care

To assess, develop and implement Speech and Language Therapy treatment

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

To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures

To produce reports regarding patients needs and summarising proposed care plans

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

To ensure that patients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible

Policy/service development/implementation

To be aware of and adhere to service and team plans and policies

To comment on proposed service/policy developments as appropriate

Financial and physical resources

To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate

To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients

Human resources

To supervise the work of assistants and volunteers

To participate in student placements once established within the department and full preceptorship requirements have been met.

To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to visitors, students and volunteers

Information resources

To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies

To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines

To gather activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines

Research and development

To contribute to Clinical Governance /audit projects/collecting of research data within the local service under supervision and to participate in departmental research

Freedom to act

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate

To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct

To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at pre-determined intervals

b)KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Communication and relationship skills

To contribute to clinical teams both multi-disciplinary and uni-disciplinary by discussing own and others input around clients needs ensuring a well co-ordinated care plan

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

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

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

To develop skills in motivating clients and /or carers to engage in the therapeutic process

To develop negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations

To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible

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

To employ excellent communication skills

Knowledge, training and experience

To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan/ Professional Portfolio developed within an appraisal framework

To participate in Individual Performance Review ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans

To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain skills and knowledge required of a therapist working in the field of general medicine and maintain up to date HPC and RCSLT registration.

To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to RCSLT Professional and Clinical and National and Local Clinical Guidelines.

To participate in the development and delivery of training (formal and informal) to others with and without support.

To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice in working with clients with communication and/or swallowing disorders following stroke or other medical cause.

To attend relevant course, meetings and special interest groups

To develop a working knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance and their application to professional practice

Analytical and judgmental skills

To develop the ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness

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

To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support to resolve.

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

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

To develop clear care plans based on best practice.

To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor.

Planning and organisational skills

To manage and prioritise a defined caseload independently

To manage and prioritise own workload

Physical skills

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

c)EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT

Physical effort

To have due regard for your own personal safety and that of patients/carers, in particular to have regard to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensure the safe positioning of self and others.

Mental effort

To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management for prolonged periods. In particular, to monitor auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived client needs including cultural and linguistic differences.

To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions

Emotional effort

To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of clients and their carers in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of their difficulties and implications of these

Working conditions

To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a regular basis

To develop appropriate strategies to manage aggressive behaviour within the workplace

Person Specification

Other knowledge & skills

Essential

• Basic knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions for acquired communication and swallowing disorders. Able to develop the confidence to work independently and recognise when to seek advice. Able to demonstrate functional understanding of the principles of equality and diversity within the context of SLT practice. Good communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal Able to work within an interdisciplinary team. Able to empathise with patients who may have life changing, progressive and/or terminal medical conditions. Willingness to learn from more experienced colleagues. Basic level of computer skill including use of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. Excellent interpersonal skills and team-working skills. Excellent time management skills. Ability to absorb, interpret and summarise verbal information in a pressurised clinical environment. Ability to be systematic and organised.

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Degree in Speech & Language Therapy or equivalent (or in process if student) RCSLT Registered Member Full and current registration with HCPC (or in process if new graduate)

Desirable

• Completion of post qualification basic dysphagia competencies

Experience

Essential

• Undergraduate clinical experience in adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders. Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group. Knowledge of assessment tools and appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to client group. Caseload management experience (with supervision).

Desirable

• Clinical experience as a qualified SLT in acute and/ or stroke care. Prior exposure and awareness of instrumental assessment e.g. videofluoroscopy or FEES as part of caseload management. Has worked with SLT support workers and/ or assistant practitioners.

Other

Essential

• Ability to travel between sites using the most time and cost effective method possible. Car driver with access to a car for cross site working

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)