Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Carrying out specialist assessments in service area. Developing and implementing a range of programmes of care and treatment to meet the needs of the clients, families and their environments in accordance with agreed pathways and packages of care in specialist area
2. Negotiating with multi-disciplinary team colleagues and carers with reference to case management of complex cases including instigating appropriate referrals as appropriate
3. Using specialist knowledge to inform clinical judgments and decision making for highly complex cases including decisions to discharge
4. Undertaking differential diagnosis of cases and contribute to overall decision-making for complex clients with a range of disorders as part of a team approach
5. Identifying and planning appropriate intervention including delivering assessment and therapy in groups and one-to-one sessions, in accordance with the pathways & service agreed packages of care
6. Taking responsibility for the delegation of therapy programmes to assistants acting as a mentor and supervisor in line with the local delegation policy
7. Providing appropriate treatment based on best practice, adapted to client's needs and priorities including advising other professionals and parent on the appropriate type and level of support needed to develop skills in the home / school environment.
8. The post holder will assess, provide and monitor the use of therapeutic equipment as required. This will involve liaising with other agencies, teaching parents or carers about health and safety issues surrounding the equipment to enable it's safe use
9. To triage referrals as required, ensuring that they meet the service referral criteria
10. Using highly developed communication skills to explain complex and sensitive information from clinical assessment and therapy outcomes to clients, carers and multidisciplinary team members
11. Adapting own communication style and methods for individual circumstances as required based on cultural, social and linguistic differences
12. Offering training and second opinions in specialist area including communication and negotiation around complex case management.
13. Working closely with the Service Leads and Operational Managers to address clinical issues and process matters related to the specialist area and identify opportunities for service transformation and innovation.
14. Ensuring the clinical quality aspects of the service delivery in specialist area are maintained and taking early action to manage any clinical risk as appropriate.
15. Leading in audits and reviews of evidence to underpin current practice within the Service.
16. Contributing to the measurement of outcomes, evaluation and updating of packages of care used within the service in specialist clinical area
17. As requested, to use specialist knowledge together with analysis of relevant data in the clinical area in order to contribute in matters of service delivery in the specialist clinical area and provide evidence for clinical outcomes
18. As requested, collecting and collating statistical data in specialist area
19. Demonstrating understanding of the demands and the changing local and national context in which the service operates
20. Assisting or leading, as requested, on the management of complaints and incidents at local level
21. Contributing to discussions around setting the direction for the service including foreseeing risks and opportunities.
22. Linking in with regional & national colleagues via networks to benchmark best practice, build professional networks and bring practice back to the service to contribute to service planning within the specialist area.
23. Reviewing and interpreting research evidence relevant to specialist area and contributing to discussions on how to implement findings to the benefit of the service in line with service priorities
24. Liaising with other professional groups, organisations or voluntary bodies external to the Trust as required.
25. Practising reflective learning and identifying and accessing appropriate Continuous Professional Development to work in accordance with professional standards and the Health and Care Professions Council 'Standards of Proficiency'
26. Working autonomously prioritising in own work area, balancing all service-user area and professional demands
27. Accessing the tools and support required to continue to develop the use of informatics and technology to deliver quality and cost-effective care
28. Participate in the development of clinical protocols for use within the Service.
29. To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policy and service development in the Service in line with the Trust's strategic objectives.
30. To participate in the development and application of National Guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care in practice, contributing to protocol development through participation in national organisations.
31. Administrative Duties and Responsibilities:
32. Writing reports containing highly complex, confidential and sensitive information which may be used in a legal context
33. Completing timely, accurate written and electronic records of patient's care, maintaining service standards and following departmental clinical record keeping guidelines including inputting activity into the IT system
34. Using IT skills to produce customised treatment plans and materials and effectively managing mobile devices to access client records, emails and other aspects of electronic communication
35. To participate in quality assurance, clinical audit and outcome measure studies conducted by the department

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• First degree level qualification, relevant to service area
• HCPC Licence to practice
• Full Membership of Professional body , relevant to service area
• Evidence of recent relevant CPD activities in specialist area
• Relevant training in specialist area e.g. post graduate dysphagia qualification, Sensory-Integration, neurological rehabilitation, neurodiversity
• Relevant training in clinical leadership

Desirable criteria

• Masters post graduate qualification, relevant to service area

Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive experience of diagnostic assessment and intervention in specialist area of service
• Extensive experience of working as a specialist therapist with children and families in a range of multi-disciplinary and / or multi-agency teams in Local Authority and Health settings
• Extensive experience of managing a mixed and complex caseload of children and young people with a range of developmental disorders and delays
• Significant experience of managing safeguarding concerns and an understanding of local processes
• Relevant experience of using leadership skills for service development
• Significant experience in providing support and supervision to colleagues and other professionals
• Extensive experience of providing complex written and verbal information to others to a high standard
• Significant experience of delivering successful/effective training to a range of qualified professionals in the area of specialism

Skills/Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of the national and political agenda influencing health services and specific service area
• Competent in using electronic systems relevant to practice in the Trust and in the clinical area

UK Home Office Visa Sponsorship requirements

In accordance with UK Home Office requirements, Band 2 clinical and non-clinical roles and Band 3 Non-Clinical roles are not eligible for sponsorship.

Please note that the majority of non-clinical roles (Agenda for Change Band 3 - 6) with the exception of those which appear on this list -