Specialist Community Learning Disability Speech & Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

Band 5 -

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be required to work as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, providing SLT assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services. Enabling service users to engage in a range of community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of SLT within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Clinical

To provide clinical advice on the assessment, diagnosis and management of speech, language and communication difficulties and where applicable, swallowing difficulties, with a range of clients, including those with complex needs and to develop a clinical interest within the context of the caseload

To manage a caseload independently with regular supervision and to prepare, implement and evaluate communication programmes and advice for clients to ensure the delivery of designated standards of care consistent with service policy and RCSLT guidelines

To demonstrate sound clinical judgment, including negotiation, differential diagnosis, reflection, evaluation and the development of care plans. Clinical practice should be framed with reference to evidence based practice, having access to a supervisor, showing a recognition of own professional boundaries and the need for supervision, support and advice

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To adopt a client centred and sensitive approach to therapy, collaborating with clients (and / or carer(s) where appropriate) in all aspects of the therapy process.

To work proactively alongside other staff and clients in meeting their needs and to assist each individual to integrate with the local community as fully as possible, using practical and creative problem solving approaches to gain the active participation of services users.

To provide SLT reports on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GPs and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.

To provide SLT perspective in multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences as required.

To ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and policies.

Management and Leadership

To manage your own caseload and day to day activities.

To assist in the co-ordination of day to day activities of unqualified staff in the service area.

To work effectively as a team member, operating flexibly to meet the needs of the service and collaborating with other team members.

Ensure the Team Manager is kept informed of all aspects of the work, especially the development needs of the service.

To participate in service development.

Communication

To contribute and receive information as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team to provide a co-ordinated and effective service to clients and carers.

To communicate accurate and sensitive information to clients and carers using an appropriate and accessible medium, taking into consideration relevant factors such as background, culture, gender, age and any physical, sensory or learning difficulties, adopting an empathic approach at all time.

To provide advice and information regarding occupational therapy and communicate clinical skills and knowledge to others.

To promote and understanding of the role of occupational therapy within the specialist area, negotiating priorities as appropriate.

Band 6

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be required to work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist speech and language therapry assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services. Enabling service users to engage in a range of individual and group community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of Salt and Language therapy within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

The post holder will contribute to the leadership and development of the Specialist Learning Disability Health Team in accordance within local and national guidance.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1. Clinical

1.1. To undertake specific standardised and non-standardised assessments to formulate effective treatment plans in conjunction with the service user, family and carer.

1.2. Formulate and deliver individual treatment programmes based on specialist knowledge for differential diagnosis for communication and dysphagia, (evidence based practise, national and local guidelines using profession specific clinical skills and techniques. (eg standardised assessments, AAC, group and individual work)

1.3. To interpret the assessment results in order to plan and implement a client centred speech and language therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis to achieve therapeutic goals.

1.4. To ensure therapeutic interventions are of a high professional standard, informed by evidence based practice and involves the service user and carer in all aspects of the care programme.

1.4. To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the effect of disability providing training and advice on lifestyle changes/adaptations to the clients social and physical environments.

1.5. To act as the care programme co-ordinator as required and to offer carers an assessment and care plan where appropriate.

1.6. To contribute to a co-ordinated team approach throughout the assessment and in meeting the service users needs including developing and maintaining close working relationships with all relevant services, and agencies within the voluntary sector.

1.7. To regularly evaluate the effectiveness of group and individual speech and language therapy interventions by undertaking specific audits and using outcome measures such as standardised / other relevant assessments and service user satisfaction questionnaires.

1.8. To continue treatment interventions where necessary to assist in the transition of skills from an inpatient setting to living independently within the community.

1.9. To work effectively within the multi-agency team ensuring that both written and verbal communication is clearly maintained to ensure a seamless service.

1.10. To be responsible for the maintenance of appropriate clinical records concerned with service user treatment, in accordance with risk management documentation guidelines.

1.11. To arrange/attend appropriate clinical team meetings, referral meetings, case conferences, care programme approach meetings and any other as required by clinical need and as directed by the Lead AHP.

1.12. To provide accurate and timely reports, statistical data through the electronic recording system and other information as required.

1.13. To participate in monthly clinical and managerial supervision and to provide clinical supervision to other speech and language staff.

1.14 To work as an autonomous practitioner.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

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Special Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Band 5
• A demonstrable range of core professional skills, including familiarity with a range of clinical protocols.
• Demonstrable knowledge of communication disorders presenting in a range of clients with communication difficulties in order to provide assessment, diagnosis and intervention.
• Flexible clinical skills which take account of the needs of the individual client.
• Demonstrable knowledge of issues related to the delivery of training to a range of recipients.
• Insight into issues of confidentiality in the context of health care.
• Insight into the requirement for excellence in clinical record keeping.
• An awareness of the functions of related professions, agencies and legislation relating to services to clients.
• Band 6
• Specialist knowledge and application of Speech & Language Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to learning disability.
• Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work.
• Understanding of and ability to use appropriate outcome measures.
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Supervisory / appraisal skills.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application.

Desirable

• Band 5
• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues.
• An awareness of screening procedure for swallowing difficulties.
• Autism Awareness.
• Band 6
• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues.
• An understanding of the specific contribution of Speech and Language Therapists in Learning Disability Services.

Experience

Essential

• Band 5
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of working with people with Learning Disabilities.
• Band 6
• Post registration experience including in learning disabilities.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Supervision of staff and / or students.

Desirable

• Band 5
• Experience of working with people with a learning disability in a clinical setting.
• Previous experience as a speech and language therapist working in the NHS.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Band 6
• Leadership / first line management experience.
• Experience of a range of learning disability settings.

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Band 5
• Ability to implement all of the 6C values & behaviours expected of health care professionals.
• Values contribution of others.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• Organisational skills.
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written.
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
• Band 6
• Ability to implement all of the 6C values & behaviours expected of health care professionals.
• Values contribution of others.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• Organisational skills.
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written.
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Desirable

• Hold a full driving licence.

Training

Essential

• Band 5
• To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise.
• Band 6
• Post graduate Dysphagia training or ability to successfully complete the training within 2 years.
• Evidence of ongoing training and relevant post graduate courses in communication and dysphagia.

Desirable

• Band 5
• Evidence of post qualification training.
• Band 6
• Post graduate training relevant to Learning Disability.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in speech and language pathology or therapy or equivalent.
• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist Certificate to Practice.
• Registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).

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).