Speech and Language Therapist band 6

Job overview

You will be working in a well-established, committed and friendly Speech and Language Therapy team, who are passionate in their support of the Sheffield learning disabilities community.  Within the wider Specialist Community Learning Disability Service (SCLDS) we are part of a collaborative multi-disciplinary team including, Nursing, Psychology, Occupational Therapy , Music and Art therapy etc.

You will  carry a caseload of Adults with Learning Disabilities and associated needs working  into the community including, services users homes and community service provider bases.

You will work on both the dysphagia ( with full supervision until competencies achieved) and our communication pathways. With the possibility of becoming involved with dementia and autism diagnosis.

You will be supported with regular supervision, weekly team meetings and access to continued professional development opportunities.

Main duties of the job

• Working on both the Communication and Dysphagia ( with full supervision until competencies achieved) pathways • To manage a defined caseload of service users with communication  and/or dysphagia needs, using specialist Speech and Language  Therapy skills and evidence based /client centred principles to assess,  plan, implement and evaluate interventions. • To include baseline communication assessment to guide other  professionals’ interaction with clients. • To regularly supervise Speech and Language Therapy students on  practice placement. • To provide supervision and management to qualified junior Speech and Language Therapists and Therapy Assistances. • To provide leadership for junior staff, as delegated by supervisor. • To participate in the development and evaluation of Speech and  Language Therapy services within a designated team, under the  supervision of a Senior Therapist (Band 7) • To participate in multi-disciplinary assessments and interventions, including Dementia, Autism and eligibility pathways  • To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest  professional standards of practice, through active participation in  internal and external CPD training and development programs, in  consultation with the post holder’s professional and team/operational  manager(s).

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all  aspects of work • To select and apply assessments for a designated caseload with complex needs addressing dysphagia need and communication skills including  emotional communication, alternative methods of communication and  engagement • To assess and provide communication guidance to colleagues in CLDT  regarding specific client communication needs to enhance other  professions’ interactions and improve engagement • To undertake Speech and Language therapy assessment of service users using investigative and analytical skills to formulate individual interventions • To accept clinical responsibility under supervision for a designated case  load some with complex presentations prioritising need and taking on the  role of co-ordinator where relevant • To plan and implement person-centred, individual and group interventions using clinical reasoning and a range of interventions to achieve agreed goals

• To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and work within a legal  framework with the service users who lack capacity to consent to  assessment and treatment interventions • To work with service users, carers and relatives who may have distressing social/clinical circumstances • To ensure all clinical targets are achieved • To have a working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and other  relevant legislation

See Job description and person spec for more details