Virtual Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To independently identify, assess and diagnose speech, language and communication impairments and select appropriate patients and type of therapy for effective treatment.

To make a differential diagnosis based on evidence from assessment, and design appropriate treatment based on analysis of profile of need seeking advice as appropriate.

Be responsible for delivering specialist speech and language therapy input to school age children and young people of all ages, covering a range of disorders of communication.

To provide training to enable parents and other professionals to support childrens language and communication needs.

Make independent decisions about caseload management, including discharge.

To plan, organise and prioritise own workload, clinical and non-clinical.

To use clinical skills to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management for complex clinical issues.

Gain extensive clinical experience and expertise to improve and further develop specialist skills through training, support and study.

To have appropriate knowledge or an awareness of low tech AAC, for example PECS.

To have knowledge of and contribute to the EHCP process within the given timescales, including preparing reports with outcomes and targets for the initial report and for annual reviews as required.

To triage new referrals into the service and reject or accept these based on service criteria, including skills in discussing potential referrals with referrers.

To provide second opinions and shadowing opportunities for less experienced colleagues, including within the Language Provision, as required.

To seek out second opinions from more experience colleagues as required.

To make referrals onto specialist services as required, including Health, Education and / or Social Services.

To participate in the development and delivery of training (formal and informal) to others with and without support and reflect on and evaluate training provided.

Independently take students on placements for clinical teaching and supervision, including exam placement.

Undertake supervision and complete appraisals for SLTs and Support Practitioners.

To contribute to the support of newly and recently graduated SLT Staff.

To support and take part in the induction and training of new staff to the servic

Communication

To work collaboratively and liaise with a wide range of professions across a variety of locations and agencies.

To attend and report to case conferences/review meetings etc. for patients on the caseload, agreeing/ negotiating management, including the setting of agreed communication targets.

To attend and participate in professional meetings and other relevant meetings.

To present and communicate complex condition-related information in such a manner as to motivate and inform patients, carers, families, and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, agreeing decision-making relevant to patient management.

To communicate effectively with patients with communication problems where difficulties to understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy.

To use good interpersonal skills to listen well and counsel patients and carers, so providing support and empathy without prejudice.

To use negotiation skills to manage conflict as needed across a range of situations.

To deal with initial complaints sensitively and manage patient concerns appropriately.

To convey complex information clearly to patients, carers, and other professionals both in verbal and written form.

To use clinical skills to generate written reports reflecting specialist knowledge.

To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff which are characterised by open communication, trust and respect.

Key relationships:

Internal: Speech & Language Therapy colleagues, Language Provision Staff, 0-19 Team (Health Visitors and School Nurses), Allied Health Professionals, Paediatric medical staff, Administrative staff

External: Education staff, Social Service

To attend and contribute as appropriate to Locality Meetings, Clinical Forums and Paediatric service meetings and other professional and / or relevant meetings.

Budgetary Responsibility

Does not hold budgetary responsibility.

People Management

To supervise junior colleagues.

To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision with peers / clinical supervisor in order to develop and enhance practice.

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

Research & Development Activity

To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects.

To collect and provide research data as required

Clinical and Practice Governance

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.

To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.

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 safeguarding audits and departmental research 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.

To comment on proposed service/policy developments as appropriate.

To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to RCSLT Professional and Clinical and National and Local Clinical Guidelines.

To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures/statutory requirements including: Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, and other legal frameworks.

To participate in the implementation of service/Trust Clinical Governance Plan

Additional Information

The post can involves working with small children frequent requirement for sitting on child - size chairs or on the floor in a restricted position.

To apply skills in physically working with patients with disabilities with support.

To transport equipment required for sessions or training, to a variety of locations.

To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns and sudden change in patient need.

To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with special needs, learning disabilities and / or communication difficulties and their carers.

To demonstrate standard keyboard skills and use IT effectively to extend and complete programmes and activities.

To have the ability to travel by car throughout Luton and / or Bedfordshire when required, including a full driving licence and access to own transport (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Person Specification

Qualifications and 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

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
• Experience of remote working to deliver assessment and intervention

Desirable

• Experience of carrying out supervision and appraisals

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates a well-established knowledge of a range of clinical disorders, assessments and appropriate therapeutic interventions in specialist field; including management of children with social communication difficulties.
• Evidence of high level of specialist knowledge/skills as a result of experience/CPD
• Demonstrates a well established knowledge of legal requirements, national policies and procedures which may affect practice.
• Knowledge of educational and clinical issues/developments relating to children.

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

Woburn Court

Railton Road

Bedford

MK427PN

Employer's website

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