Specialised Speech & Language Therapist - Clinical Team lead MDA

Job responsibilities

To provide clinical leadership to the MDA Pathway

To work effectively within the MDA team for autism spectrum disorders, providing detailed assessment and advice to aid correct diagnosis for these children.

To work clinically with clients presenting with a wide range of communication difficulties relating to the Autistic spectrum, initiating and promoting excellence in clinical practice acting as a role model to the team.

To support the electronic triage process of referrals into the MDA pathway, speaking to referring agents as required

To support and lead on Risk Management.

To represent Paediatric SLT at strategic level as required.

To lead on Clinical Governance initiatives/tasks as required

To assist in the planning, development and evaluation of the service, holding responsibility for defined projects to develop services for patients using the service as agreed with the service lead.

To work closely with other members of the hospital team to provide a co-ordinated service for patients within the Trust.

To contribute to the Trust and therapy service clinical governance arrangements and quality agenda, including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.

To investigate incidents recorded in designated team / area of work. To take responsibility as lead investigator to action plans as a result of incidents. To escalate outcomes of incident investigation to the therapy service lead

To maintain a culture which recognises and works in partnership with clients and carers, involving them in all decisions relating to care delivery.

To liaise effectively with colleagues, other agencies, clients and their carers to ensure an efficient system of communication. Be able to vary how information is communicated dependent on the recipients, this may include difficult or sensitive information. To attend & participate in regular team meetings.

To assist the therapy service lead in the delivering of service strategy and objectives on a day to day basis, planning, co-ordinating, delivering and evaluating the therapy service provided

To demonstrate and maintain own knowledge and awareness of recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding the needs of vulnerable children. Including participation in regular safeguarding supervision at least once every 12 weeks, in line with trust policy. To attend multi-agency safeguarding meetings as required.

To attend designated meetings and ensure accurate feedback of any changes to clients communication and/or feeding difficulties.

To participate in clinical supervision ensuring that practice is maintained at high levels and is evaluated utilising appropriate mechanisms.

To provide regular clinical supervision for members of the team

To undertake annual appraisals for members of the paediatric SLT team

To participate in multi-agency forums, including external agencies, as delegated by the service lead.

To contribute to the dissemination of information between team members, using effective communication channels

To encourage contributions and suggestions from staff to improve the delivery of high-quality service within the department.

To be pro-active in self-development by participating in learning opportunities provided through staff training and supervision.

Maintain and update skills and knowledge through life-long learning, especially within the sphere of childrens services.

To undertake all mandatory/essential training as required by MYHT.

To take the lead in team developments as designated by the line manager.

To maintain standards in ongoing health information, both electronic and paper-based, ensuring safe keeping and confidentiality, accurate record keeping of relevant data and profiling. To input clinical information onto SystmOne as per trust policy.

To maintain confidentiality, privacy and dignity in relation to the clients and their treatments at all times in line with trust policy.

To promote effective communication and support for clients, their families and carers

To manage own workload and coordinate that of others within the team.

To liaise regularly with the Children's Therapies Service Lead & to report directly on all matters relating to SLT MDA team by attending regular meetings.

To ensure all client care is assessed, planned and evaluated according to RCSLT guidelines.

The team leader will be a role model for the team, sharing and developing good practice, clinical expertise, providing team leadership, leading in service developments and ensuring targets are being achieved

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of Clinical leadership skills
• Significant post registration SLT experience working with children with social communication needs
• Evidence of recent and relevant clinical experience of working with children with autism
• Ability to establish good working relationships
• Evidence of relevant ongoing professional and clinical development
• Experience of working in successful multidisciplinary teams
• Work within a variety of settings and with a variety of agencies
• Evidence of providing clinical supervision
• Team management skills

Desirable

• Experience of use of effective outcome measures
• Experience of teaching
• Experience of mentoring staff
• Working within an autism diagnostic team
• ADOS trained
• Wide experience of service development within childrens therapy

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Evidence of providing accurate records of communication consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Evidence of appropriate communication with people on complex matters and or complex issues
• Understanding and experience of inter-agency working and services available within health and social care and education services
• Sound understanding of Clinical Audit and evaluation
• IT literate
• Managing complaints

Desirable

• Clinical audit & evaluation
• Previous use of Systmone
• Teaching/presentation skills

Other

Essential

• Ability to satisfy Occupational Health screening
• Adaptable and flexible according to the demands of the service.
• Understanding of need to maintain confidentiality
• Able to carry out duties commensurate with the role

Knowledge and Awareness

Essential

• Up to date and relevant knowledge of the variety of childhood conditions which impact on development of appropriate speech, language and communication skills.
• Considerable awareness of the impacts of social communication on access to the curriculum.
• Understanding of current NHS Policy direction and service modernisation
• Awareness of up to date NICE guidance relevant to role
• Knowledge of local and regional safeguarding practice

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to promote equality and value diversity
• Professional attitude and positive role model
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
• Ability to travel across the district
• Flexibility with regards to patterns of work
• Able to carry out duties commensurate with the role
• Confident, caring and empathetic
• Ability to motivate others
• Committed to personal and team development

Qualifications

Essential

• SLT Degree
• HCPC registered
• Evidence of relevant and up to date post graduate training & / experience working in the field of autism and working with education

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in autism
• RCSLT membership

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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