JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Speech and Language Therapist (Band 7) Bank Department: Therapies, QEF Neuro Rehabilitation Services, Banstead. Reports to: Head of Therapies Job Purpose The post holder will work alongside the Speech and Language Therapists and the multi-disciplinary team. To provide a speech and language therapy service to adults with communication, cognitive and swallowing problems. To offer rehabilitation in an outreach and out-patient setting to clients aged 16+ years, providing intervention on an individual or group basis as required. To provide a highly specialist speech and language therapy service to patients who have communication and swallowing problems as a result acquired brain injury. To provide advice to patients, their families and relevant staff on the management of dysphagia. To contribute to the monitoring and achievement of relevant standards. Main Duties To hold responsibility for own caseload if appropriate and be responsible for a defined area of the service, working without direct supervision. To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary neuro-rehabilitation team, contributing to the planning, development and delivery of an effective and efficient service. To contribute, as a member of the speech and language therapy team, to the evaluation and audit of practice. This may lead to the implementation of specific changes to practice or contribute to service protocols/care pathways. To liaise with other involved agencies and with clients and carers to provide an integrated service. To provide specialist speech and language services for adults with acquired communication, cognitive and/or swallowing disorders. To undertake highly specialist assessment of adults with communication, cognitive and/or swallowing disorders and provide an accurate diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and discharge plan for their condition. To work as a member of the neuro-rehabilitation team, promoting multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working and patient-centred care. To assess the need for alternative communication aids and liaise with Communication Aids Centres/appropriate companies for assistance where necessary to ensure the competent use of any aids by patients.
Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within legal framework with clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To refer patients where appropriate to outside agencies on discharge and write discharge reports to ensure continuity of care. To ensure equal access to professional support, guidance and treatment of clients irrespective of cultural or linguistic background. To provide second opinions and specialist clinical advice to other speech and language therapists at all grades with regard to clinical specialism. To refer clients for further investigation or second opinion as required. To arrange, attend and assist in the analysis of videofluoroscopic examinations of clients with oro-pharyngeal dysphagia with Consultant Radiologist and other Speech and Language Therapists if appropriate. To formulate and deliver an individual speech and language therapy treatment programme based on an advanced knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options. To encourage and support the principles of clinical governance. Work within the QEF Neuro- rehabilitation service clinical guidelines and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) guidelines and standard of practice. To train and supervise carers in communication and/or feeding compensatory strategies to ensure carryover and optimum care. Maintaining accurate and comprehensive treatment records. To be active in maintaining knowledge of national and local standards, monitoring own and others quality of practice as appropriate. To contribute towards the development of RCSLT s guidelines and standards of practice (Community Quality III) as appropriate. To provide and receive complex or sensitive information where persuasive and reassurance skills are required. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of clinical risk within own client caseload. As a team member, to participate in evidence-based projects and audits to further own and team s clinical practice, and make recommendations and contribute to any indicated changes in service delivery and practice in the team. To work with the Head of Therapies and other Speech and Language Therapists to ensure a high quality speech and language therapy service, based on best practice. To provide specialist advice and training to other health and care professionals within the Service. To prioritise patient management in accordance with multi-disciplinary team standards. To be responsible for organising own caseload to meet service and client priorities regularly balancing patient related, professional and organisational demands. To supervise, educate and assess the performance of speech and language students; this would be to a graduate standard and involve working with universities to ensure the standard of practice and teaching meets the standards set by the degree level qualification. To assist in the planning and co-ordination of student placements in conjunction with the universities. To take an active role in maintaining own competency to practice through. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, furthering specialist knowledge incorporating evidence-based practice, e.g. in-service training, reading, special interest groups and external training courses.
Maintain a portfolio, which reflects personal development. To participate in QEF and external working parties, as appropriate, to contribute to clinical and policy changes and developments for clients with acquired and other neurological conditions. Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in, in-service training programmes, multidisciplinary team programme, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review. Teach, assess and contribute to the performance assessment, appraisal and evaluate competency of therapy assistant staff and students as required. To undertake as directed the collection of data for use in audit and research projects within the service and / or trust. Preparation and presentation of internal and external reports including dialogue with parents, professionals and purchasers. To keep appropriate and accurate departmental and treatment records. To liaise with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, family, guardian, case managers etc to provide a co-ordinated approach to the patient, as required. To communicate with hospital consultants, GP s and other professionals regarding current and long term treatment to maximise patient s speech and communication abilities. General Ensure all duties are carried out in accordance with Health and Safety regulations as given in QEF s Health and Safety Policy. This Job Description is not exhaustive and the postholder may be required to undertake other appropriate duties and projects from time to time. QEF, Neuro Rehabilitation Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff and volunteers must be responsible and accountable for their safeguarding practice and proactive in identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns.
PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Specification: Speech and Language Therapist Band 7 (Bank) Key Criteria Essential Desirable Qualifications Diploma or degree leading to the RCSLT Certificate to Practice. Registered member of RCSLT and Health Professions Council. Advanced postgraduate dysphagia training. Experience Skills and Knowledge Experience of neuro-rehabilitation to a specialist level. Experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders, in particular acquired brain injury. Advanced, independent management of all aspects of acquired neurological dysphagia including videofluoroscopy. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team. Confident in administering specialist neurological assessments. Informal/formal training of other professionals. Independent supervision and teaching of SLT students. Participation in audit/outcome measurement. Knowledge of a range of AAC. A good standard of literacy and numeracy. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Competent in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Good decision making and problem solving skills. Can use initiative. Well established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the field of neuro- rehabilitation. Knowledge of use of computer software in treatment of dysphasia and dysarthria Video work with clients. Management of junior staff. Experience of working in a residential rehabilitation setting. Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups. Critical appraisal skills.
Personal Qualities To be familiar with relevant legislation (e.g NSF s) relating to the care of clients with an acquired neurological condition. Ability to teach specific SLT treatment packages and theory to patients/ carers/ others. Drive and enthusiasm for clinical excellence using EBP and clinical networks. Able to work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team. Commitment and ability to develop others through CPD/PDP/In-service training. Evidence of own self-development through PDP. Able to write good accurate notes and reports. Ability to prioritise, good time management and organisational skills. To work as an autonomous practitioner. Maintain judgement under pressure. Ability to teach, supervise and motivate colleagues and other professionals. Ability to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity and tact to a diversity of people. Highly motivated with a strong client focussed approach. Flexible. Ability to carry out concurrent activities with regular interruption. Proactive approach to service delivery.