Speech & language Therapist

Job responsibilities

Clinical duties and Responsibilities

To be a source of specialist clinical expertise within SLT in the field of oncology and to manage own caseload of patients with acquired communication and/or swallowing problems.

To effectively examine and assess patients, identify their problems and needs and ensure that patients' medical, cognitive, psychological, social, environmental and cultural factors are taken into account including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi-pathologies.

To interpret assessment findings using specialist clinical reasoning skills in order to competently plan and carry out programmes of treatment.

To be able to relate findings of assessment to presenting disease/pathology/ impairment.

To contribute to the development and delivery of instrumental swallowing assessment pathways (e.g. VFSS/FEES) in line with service development and governance frameworks.

To devise and monitor specialist programmes of care for other professionals to carry out.

To provide specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients with communication impairment and /or dysphagia.

To monitor and review care plans against outcomes and adjust in order to facilitate achievement of goals

To counsel and advise patients as required to ensure informed consent and that they are fully aware of the aims and objectives of SLT intervention.

To provide support and advice to SLTs in the region or other professionals regarding the ongoing clinical management of oncology patients who are about to be discharged.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

1. To use specialist clinical reasoning skills to assimilate complex information, taking into account cognitive, emotional, environmental and social issues, in order to make a clinical judgement regarding differential diagnosis and intervention.

2. To refer appropriately for instrumental swallowing assessment. To interpret investigation results and communicate the information to all relevant parties.

3. To formulate clear care plans based on assessment, specialist knowledge and information, gathered from a range of professionals and carers in order to select appropriate treatment options.

4. To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and supervisors.

Communication and Relationship Skills

1. To work as part of clinical uni- and multi-disciplinary teams ensuring a well

co-ordinated care plan.

2. To communicate complex information using advanced communication skills to patients, carers and families.

3. To work with an interpreter as necessary to aid assessment and treatment of the patient and communication with the carer.

4. To refer patients appropriately following transfer or discharge.

5. To demonstrate good negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.

6. To write, deliver and evaluate internal and external education and training sessions to other health care professionals, patients and carers.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

1. To demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to RCSLT, national and local Professional and Clinical Guidelines

2. To maintain own competence to practise at a specialised level to meet professional and HCPC requirements for registration.

Freedom to Act

1. To develop as a clinical specialist in oncology.

2. To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries through interpretation of clinical/professional policies.

3. To interpret and implement national and local policy relevant to own clinical area in consultation with wider team.

4. To monitor and evaluate own specialist service delivery.

5. To accept and prioritise referrals.

6. To be responsible for organising and prioritising own caseload.

7. To provide day-to-day clinical support and informal supervision to Band 5 SLTs, assistants and students.

8. To support the development of assistant practitioners through delegation, training and competency assessment.

9. To refer the patient or carer to other services as appropriate.

10. To discharge patients as appropriate.

Planning and Organising Skills

1. To manage and organise own workload.

2. To support the development and delivery of digital and remote models of care (e.g. telehealth), ensuring safe and effective implementation.

Policy and Service Development/Implementation

1. To contribute to the implementation of evidence-based clinical protocols and pathways of care in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibility for Human Resources

1. To provide supervision for Band 5 SLTs and students.

Responsibility for Information Resources

1. To maintain up-to-date and accurate electronic case-notes in line with Trust policy.

2. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.

Responsibility for Research and Development

1. To contribute to a culture of research and evidence-based practice within the team.

2. To participate in research activity/audit/ data provision as required by The Trust.

Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources

1. To be responsible for the security and care of the premises and equipment under one's care in accordance with Trust policy.

2. To be responsible for personal safety and that of patients and personnel within the department in accordance with Trust policy.

3. To adhere to the Trust and departmental health and safety policies.

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

5. To critically appraise patient appliances and products e.g. communication aids, thickened fluids and dietary supplements, and make recommendations on their suitability for use in the Trust taking into account their cost and effectiveness.

Qualifications

Essential

• Accredited honours degree or equivalent Certificate to practice (SLT)
• Registered with HCPC

Desirable

• Member RCSLT
• Evidenced completion of specialist short courses in e.g. advanced dysphagia, oncology, advanced communication
• Member relevant Clinical Excellence Networks (CEN)

Experience

Essential

• Experience of managing patients with complex communication and/or swallowing difficulties
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience of working within oncology
• Experience working in a Head and neck MDT
• Experience delivering pre-treatment or on-treatment interventions in cancer care
• Experience of service development, audit or quality improvement
• Attendance at conferences /courses in area of specific interest

Skills

Essential

• Ability to manage a complex and unpredictable caseload
• Interest in developing skills within Head and Neck Cancer pathways
• Ability to support service development and change
• Specialist analytical, problem solving and clinical reasoning skills.
• Ability to deliver teaching and training
• Good time management
• Highly developed communication skills
• Clinical supervision skills
• Standard keyboard skills - word processing, internet, data inputting

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer and its treatment
• Experience in participating in instrumental swallowing assessments (e.g. VFSS and/or FEES), including interpretation and application to clinical management
• Adjunctive skills in bedside swallowing assessment eg cervical auscultation

Knowledge

Essential

• Sound knowledge of adult acquired communication and swallowing impairments.
• Specialist knowledge and use of up-to-date assessment procedures and therapy techniques
• Knowledge of relevant national and RCSLT policies on competencies/role of SLT in cancer care
• Understanding of clinical governance and risk management

Desirable

• Knowledge of rehabilitation principles within cancer care and survivorship
• Knowledge of relevant national and RCSLT policies in cancer care
• Knowledge of cancer pathways/oncology services

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate core values of The Christie Trust. This includes compassion and respect; quality care; and innovation.

Other

Essential

• Ability to work flexibly across inpatient and outpatient settings
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Ability to manage the emotional demands of working with patients with cancer, including palliative and end of life care

Desirable

• Interest in service development, innovation or research.

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).