Deputy Lead Speech & Language Therapist

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

Responsibilities for Patient Care

1. Responsible for providing a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy service for head and neck and other cancer patients at the Trust.

2. To be responsible for own caseload management of highly complex patients to inpatients and outpatients, with complex disorders of swallowing and communication.

3. To assess, diagnose and implement SLT management of complex swallowing problems, carrying out and interpreting instrumental assessment of swallowing where appropriate.

4. To assess, diagnose and implement SLT management of complex communication problems and to have an awareness of appropriate communication strategies and aids including assistive technology

5. To manage patients with tracheostomy, laryngectomy and other voice conditions. You will not be required to change speech valves.

6. Active participation within the multidisciplinary team.

7. To independently undertake videofluoroscopy assessments as per national and Trust guidelines.

8. To independently undertake scoping of patients using nasendoscopy for the purpose of FEES as per national and Trust guidelines.

9. Undertake assessments to provide appropriate specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes to inform clinical judgements / decisions for case management.

10. To use advanced communication skills to assess, educate and treat oncology patients.

11. Communicate complex information from assessment to patients / carers / relatives in a format that will enable them to fully understand the implications and actively participate in the care programme.

12. Negotiate with patients / carers / relatives around individual case management, recognising barriers if communication.

13. Demonstrate clinical effectiveness by using evidence-based practice and outcome measures.

14. To effectively examine and assess patients, identify their problems and needs and ensure that patients' medical, psychological, social, environmental and cultural factors are taken into account.

15. To utilise examination and assessment findings to competently plan and carry out highly specialist programmes of treatment from a range of therapeutic options appropriate to each patient, using evidence based practice.

16. To be able to relate assessment results to the presenting disease/pathology/ impairment.

17. To set appropriate treatment aims and objectives in negotiation with the patient and/or carer.

18. To take responsibility for devising highly specialist programmes of care for other professionals to carry out and for ensuring they are carried out appropriately.

19. To monitor and evaluate programmes of care carried out by other professionals and carers.

20. To appropriately refer patients for videofluoroscopy and FEES examinations.

21. To provide a lead role in videoswallow and FEES clinics.

22. To provide highly specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients with communication impairment.

23. To monitor and review care plans against outcomes and adjust care plans to facilitate achievement of goals

24. To produce, disseminate and update reports/guidelines regarding individual care plans to patients, their carers and other Health Care professionals.

Management /Leadership

1. To be directly responsible for the day-to-day management of a specialist speech and language therapy service at the Christie hospital and ensure all staff comply with professional standards.

2. To support the recruitment and deployment of the SLT staff.

3. To ensure staff are appraised annually, have clear objectives which link to department, division/directorate or corporate objectives and a personal development plan.

4. To be responsible for the development and / implementation of policies and procedures for speech and language therapy.

5. To be responsible for recruitment and selection of staff in line with the Trust's Processes and Standards.

6. To directly manage, monitor and evaluate the workload of the SLT staff and ensure adherence to professional standards.

7. To ensure complaints are managed within trust procedures and that recommendations and independent reviews are instigated.

8. To be responsible for the recording, analysis and interpretation of departmental

activity and statistics as required for service planning.

9. To be responsible for the daily monitoring of attendance, sickness, and absence

of the dietetic staff.

10. To represent the speech and language oncology service at meetings

internally and externally.

11. To ensure all health and safety requirements are met, to include undertaking

formal risk assessment and formulating action plans.

12. Ensure performance issues are dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner and follow the Trust's Procedures where formal action is necessary.

13. To plan, present and/or teach at internal, national and international seminars, conferences and workshops.

14. To develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting, clinical effectiveness and building local evidence base

15. To initiate and undertake Clinical Governance /audit projects within area of clinical expertise

16. To represent the team within multi-disciplinary systems of clinical governance within the Trust.

17. To participate, as a highly specialist resource, in the relevant research projects, on a MDT basis, within the Trust.

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant professional qualification
• Registered with HCPC
• Member of RCSLT
• Evidence of highly specialised continuing professional development
• Post graduate training in dysphagia management
• Evidence of successful completion of post-graduate specialist short-course up to Masters degree level or equivalent
• Evidence of leadership courses / training
• Membership and / or /committee role in relevant Clinical Education Network Advanced videofluoroscopy training
• Advanced FEES training

Desirable

• Evidence of competencies to lead and analyse Videofluoroscopy examinations for patients with a diagnosis of Head and Neck oncology including laryngectomy
• Previous management experience

Experience

Essential

• Extensive and in-depth experience of relevant clinical area
• Knowledge and use of up-to-date assessment procedures and therapy techniques
• Recent experience of working with acute adult acquired disorders
• Experience of working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience in supervising more junior staff
• Experience of training other healthcare professionals
• Experience of working in partnership with carers
• Experience of audit/service evaluation.

Desirable

• Interest and experience in treating Critical care patients, including tracheostomy
• Interest and experience working in surgery eg ENT, Maxfax, Plastics
• Contribution to specialist area in policy/practice development.
• Experience in dealing with Human Resources issues such as recruitment and retention, performance management, sickness, annual leave

Skills

Essential

• Videofluoroscopy interpretation skills
• Ability to carry out and interpret FEES.
• Experience of managing patients with a tracheostomy
• Excellent presentation skills
• Evidence of ability to manage highly specialist and complex caseload independently
• Excellent written and oral language skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent prioritisation and time management skills
• Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills
• Excellent analytical and reflection skills

Desirable

• Counselling skills
• Adjunctive skills in bedside swallowing assessment e.g. cervical auscultation

Knowledge

Essential

• Expert knowledge of broad range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions for relevant client groups and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits
• High level leadership, influencing, negotiation and problem solving skills in complex situations
• In depth knowledge and appreciation of NHS strategy, policies and research ethics
• Knowledge of government policy re cancer services e.g. NICE guidance and how these impact on services

Desirable

• Knowledge of the pathophysiology of cancer and cancer treatments
• Awareness of the psychospiritual needs of cancer patients and willingness to refer to appropriate services e.g. chaplaincy, complementary therapy

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
• Willingness to represent the organisation professionally at a senior level
• Ability to work as part of a team

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).