Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

To independently manage a specialist caseload of pre-school and school age children who have speech, language and communication difficulties.

To undertake a range of assessments, both standardised and non-standardised, taking account of medical, social and educational factors, which combined with specialist theoretical knowledge will lead to differential diagnosis

To plan, deliver and evaluate specialist intervention following professional guidelines and agreed service standards

As part of that process, to be able to plan appropriate long term and short term goals working towards discharge

To undertake administrative duties connected with the caseload including maintenance of case notes and provision of written reports, following service standards

To ensure that all work is carried out in close collaboration with all those involved in childrens care so that the approach to intervention and support is co-ordinated and comprehensive

To identify when there is a need for a second opinion, referring to senior colleagues or SLT specialists as appropriate

To make onward referral as appropriate

To identify any variations to service delivery or demands and inform the Locality Co-ordinator and Area & Clinical Lead of the likely impact on the service

To participate in development of policy, clinical guidelines, clinical governance and service development through discussion and involvement in projects as appropriate, including innovative practice, in collaboration with senior colleagues

Responsibility for specific, clearly defined projects as delegated by the Locality Co-ordinator.

To be familiar with local and national standards and to work in line with these

To ensure that parents/carers are aware of the standards they should expect from the speech and language therapy service

To ensure effective communication of complex condition-related information to parents/carers regarding the assessment process, assessment findings and planned intervention, including engagement of parents/carers in intervention

To ensure children are involved in goal setting and decision making around their own care as appropriate to their age, developmental level and language skills

To ensure parents/carers are involved in decision making around their childs care including discharge from the service

To liaise effectively and work in partnership with other professionals (particularly teachers and teaching assistants), including the development of shared goals for intervention

To write reports on children, in line with service standards, including contributions to statutory assessment

To offer advice to others concerning support for individual children

To actively contribute to case conferences/ review meetings for children on the caseload

To recognise how and when information may be shared within the bounds of confidentiality and the Data Protection Act

To attend SLT team meetings, actively contributing as appropriate

Contribute to CCS internal communication strategies ensuring effective two-way communication and engagement within the organisation

Contribute to CCS external communication strategies working with the Head of Communications to raise awareness and promote the reputation of CCS services

To contribute to ensuring that CCS responsibilities to engage and consult with patients and the public are met in line with statutory requirements

To participate in training other professionals/ parents as appropriate

To identify training needs in the multi-disciplinary team needed to support the care of children on the caseload

To attend all Trust mandatory training

To access and accept clinical supervision from senior or specialist colleagues in line with service policy

To supervise and clinically support SLT assistants/ teaching assistants/volunteers as appropriate

To mentor newly qualified SLTs providing support and contributing to induction with guidance from more senior colleagues

To provide clinical placements for SLT students including contributing to the assessment of exam placements

Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and KSF process

To maintain and update skills and knowledge in relevant areas

To develop and monitor own clinical expertise in specialist area through planned CPD

To participate in service audit and projects as agreed with the Area & Clinical Lead

To actively reflect on practice with peers and more senior colleagues to promote professional development and evidence based decision making

To be advised on developments in current practice by more senior colleagues

Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes

The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures

It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with HCPC and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration.

Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.

The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required

Provide patients and their families /carers with information on standards they should expect from the team

Participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis

The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• Degree or Postgraduate equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registered Member of RCSLT
• Registered Member of HCPC
• Evidence of successful completion of short specialist courses

Desirable

• Evidence of commitment to CPD
• Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Network

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Well established specialist knowledge about speech, language and communication disorders associated with complex conditions
• In-depth knowledge of a broad range of therapeutic interventions appropriate to the client group and the ability to compare and contrast relative benefits
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to convey sensitive or distressing information to parents/carers
• Understanding of the impact of local cultural, linguistic and demographic factors that influence service delivery in own area of clinical specialism

Desirable

• Working in a mainstream school with children who have complex communication needs
• Previous experience of working with children with complex speech disorders
• Knowledge of Makaton or BSL signing

Experience

Essential

• Experience of developing and delivering training
• Recent and comprehensive experience working in community clinics, schools and pre-schools
• Experience of working in a range of multiagency settings and with interagency teams

Desirable

• Previous experience supervising less experienced colleagues
• Experience of advising/providing further opinions

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

Princess of Wales Hospital

Lynn Road

Ely

CB6 1DN

Employer's website

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