Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL

To independently manage a SLT caseload for adults with a learning disability within an inter-disciplinary team to include clients who may have challenging behaviour, dual diagnosis, autistic spectrum disorder, and profound and multiple learning disabilities.

To assess, diagnose, and analyse the range of treatment options, make decisions, carry out clinical management, review and evaluate outcomes for complex cases of communication disability were there are barriers to understanding. To use evidence-based practice and work within a ‘quality, risk, performance’ framework.

To manage client’s Dysphagia using evidence-based practice and work within a ‘quality, risk, performance’ framework. To produce care plans.

To diagnose and evaluate all aspects of the person’s health related to their Dysphagia, evaluating treatment options, and making recommendations for referral to others.

To formulate reports to explain the person’s communication/Dysphagia needs, therapy, and prognosis for a range of audiences including families and other professionals.

To maintain clinical care records in accordance to Professional and Trust standards.

To employ excellent interpersonal communication skills with clients were there are barriers to understanding, for example adults with severe learning disabilities/cognitive impairment, with associated physical disability, deafness or visual impairment.

To use, teach and advise upon a range of Alternative and Augmentative Communication and Total Communication strategies.

To use and teach Sign language, to programme communication aids, to select and to use I.T. graphics packages to produce accessible information, demonstrating highly developed hand-eye co-ordination and sensory skills.

To work in partnership, with other professionals and agencies regarding the client’s diagnosis and recommended case management. To be responsible for recognising the need for and organising case conferences for people on the caseload.

To supervise students and assistant speech and language therapists.

To be a registered member of R.C.S.L.T. and H.P.C. adhering to the clinical guidelines and standards of practice. To evaluate and contribute to professional reviews of clinical standards and guidelines.

To research and subsequently advise other professionals and services regarding the communication needs of individual clients. This includes working with primary and secondary health care staff, social services, medics and education.

To provide guidance and training to carers and other professionals within the client’s environment about optimising the clients communication environment.

To contribute to the delivery of ‘Valuing People’ and ‘Valuing People Now’ objectives for clients with a learning disability.

MANAGERIAL

To manage own caseload delivering a high quality, effective and efficient Speech and Language Therapy Service to adults with learning disabilities.

To manage projects as delegated.

To be responsible for own caseload management, prioritisation of work; and to contribute to the collation of information.

To supervise SLT Assistants work with clients on own caseload.

To monitor and evaluate own clinical practice against professional standards, guidelines and policies.

To advise the Advanced SLT and team manager of Service delivery issues.

To report any problems with equipment or stock to the Advanced SLT . To identify the need for and to request new equipment, resources and assessment tools.

To be responsible for own equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained.

To resolve informal complaints and inform the Advanced SLT of these. To report formal complaints to the Team Manager.

To contribute to policies, protocols care pathways and audits for Speech and Language Therapy related issues.

To be aware of, adhere to and implement Trust policies.

To identify the need for a service development, and discuss with SLT Therapy Manager.

To contribute to the service business plan as requested.

EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

To research, evidence-base, develop, design and provide specialist training courses related to adult communication disability, adult challenging behaviour, and PMLD.

To provide training for a range of audiences including families, staff, medics, professionals and HEI under-graduates and post-graduates.

To provide formal training to large audiences, using audio visual aids, to communicate complex information about communication disability or Dysphagia.

To develop, monitor and evaluate own ‘individual performance review’ identifying own Personal Development Plan (PDP) to meet team/service objectives annually and to complete KSF objectives.

To keep up-to-date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice in Dysphagia, challenging behaviour and complex communication disability in ALD.

To attend Specific Interest Groups to maintain, develop and contribute to clinical knowledge and advances in specialist area of SLT.

To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including Working with Vulnerable Adults, Child Protection, ‘Valuing People’ and other legal frameworks

Provide evidence to support development around the Trust Appraisal system which may include the KSF or other competency profiles.

Participate in regular supervision, engage in reflective practice and be committed to continued development.

Develop own skills and knowledge and contribute to the development of others.

RESEARCH AND AUDIT

To identify the need for and to contribute to audit within areas of expertise. To use research methodology for specific audits.

To participate in and contribute to research at local and regional levels as appropriate.

Undertake and participate in appropriate audit, quality assurance programmes and research as directed.