Specialist Speech and language Therapist

Job overview

The post holder will contribute to the provision of a cohesive and effective speech and language therapy service to people with a Learning Disability who live in the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark or Lewisham.

The post holder will provide assessment, advice and intervention to adults with a Learning Disabilities receiving services from several appropriate agencies, such as Social Services, not for profit organisations, private and voluntary. The post holder will have a responsibility for assessment and intervention with people who have specialist communication and eating, drinking and swallowing needs.

The post holder will contribute to an effective and holistic multidisciplinary service to support the health needs of adults with a Learning Disability and their networks with a strong focus on the promotion of health equality.

Main duties of the job

Responsibility for the assessment, diagnosis, development and delivery of highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy intervention to meet the needs of service users with dysphagia and communication

To maintain accurate case notes, upholding HCPC standards

To write highly specialised reports in multiple formats so that, where needed, that are accessible to the service users, their carers, and other professionals

To ensure that service users are actively involved in the planning and prioritisation of their own care plan

Communicating effectively and respectfully with service users, carers, members of the professional team

Offer a well-coordinated MDT approach to case management

Participation in the community team’s clinical meeting and to present cases for planned review, service initiatives and research.

Contribute to multidisciplinary team and speech and language therapy team meetings as required

Demonstrate advanced negotiation and problem-solving skills

Demonstrate the use of appropriate caseload management strategies when dealing with complex issues

Adapt practise to offer an inclusive service to adults with a learning Disability and their networks

Gather the evidence of clinical effectiveness, using appropriate outcome measures and employing evidence-based practise

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Support the Speech and Language Therapy Leads and undertake any duties compatible with the grading structure and sphere of competence

Offer consultation to colleagues, to provide second opinions and to share information and expertise with other team members

Participate in the development of local clinical guidelines, informed by the evidence of work within community environments.

Initiate quality improvement projects and contribute to existing projects, building local evidence base and contributing to team clinical effectiveness

Leadership

Contribute to the development of problem solving and negotiation skills of others within peer review, case discussion and supervision

Contribute to audit within defined specialist areas

Training/Education and Research

Participate in formal training events and evaluate effectiveness

Contribute to quality improvement in areas of clinical specialism

Provide advice to non-specialists and other specialists/professionals

Professional Development

Participate in performance development review PDR

Identify and attend specialist short courses in areas of clinical specialism as identified in PDR

Feedback to MDT colleagues on all relevant courses attended

Attend all mandatory training specified by the job role

Maintain up-to-date HPC

Have a working knowledge of relevant legislation: The Mental capacity Act, safeguarding vulnerable adults, deprivation of liberty safeguards working with adults within the criminal justice system

Apply the principles of Clinical Governance to professional practise

Undertake any other duties required by the Lead Speech and Language Therapist, commensurate with grading and competency.

Information Management

To carry out administrative duties including data collection, arranging client appointments, and maintaining general equipment

To monitor the use of specialist equipment and arrange for maintenance/replacement in conjunction with line manager.

To use a range of office programmes (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.), symbol programmes (Boardmaker, etc) and advanced multimedia programmes (Adobe Premier Pro, Cool Edit Pro etc) to effectively carry out work using digital voice output and digital video footage.

Maintain electronic client records as per HCPC, Trust and local guidance.