Team Lead Speech & Language Therapist – Acute Frailty & Elderly

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities
1.    To autonomously manage and provide highly specialist intervention, which will include assessment, contribution to differential diagnosis, and highly specialist SLT management for patients with acute, acquired communication and swallowing disorders, following King's College Hospital (KCH) Speech and Language Therapy evidence-based guidelines and abiding by KCH Speech and Language Therapy service standards.

2.    To provide highly specialist input into policies and protocols regarding the management of patients on the Speech and Language Therapy Acute Team and wider service.

3.    To act as a link between all SLT’s involved in treating patients in Acute and Frailty beds to ensure the patient receives treatment from the most appropriate therapist and that knowledge and resources are shared across the service.

4.    To act as a link with the other therapy professions to develop the process for planning rehabilitation goals and programmes for relevant patients on these acute wards. 

5.    To provide accurate appropriate and current information for clients and their carers to enable autonomy and choice where possible.

6.    To carry out instrumental assessments (VF/FEES) and assist in the training and supervision of other SLT staff in these assessments.

7.    To liaise effectively and work collaboratively with the relevant multidisciplinary teams to plan and facilitate appropriate management.

8.    To attend clinical meetings/ward rounds/case conferences where appropriate.

9.    To maintain an active liaison role, including SLT colleagues in the acute and community sector, members of the in-patient and community multidisciplinary teams, GPs, other members of the primary health care team, local authority services and voluntary organisations, ensuring consultation and feedback.

10.    To carry out joint assessments with other members of the multidisciplinary team where appropriate.

11.    To identify barriers to effective communication within the environment and suggest and implement solutions where feasible.   

12.    To co-ordinate and promote communication developments e.g. mental capacity act issues, developing and delivering training on supporting communication, advising on environmental changes that support those with communication difficulties.   

13.    To provide complex and sensitive clinical information to patients and carers in clear, accessible and empathetic format, both in written and verbal form.

14.    To develop and deliver training regarding communication and swallowing to carers, relatives and staff. 

15.    To instigate referrals, when appropriate, to internal/external agencies and to liaise with other agencies to ensure appropriate follow up and care arrangements for patients.

16.    To assist with clinical cover in other areas as required. 

Administrative Responsibilities

1.    To be responsible for prioritising and managing own caseload.  To support the Acute SLT Clinical Lead in overseeing the organisation of the acute caseload across the SLT service, identifying shortfalls and risk.

2.    To maintain full, accurate and contemporaneous records within EPIC.

3.    To provide timely and accurate reports including transfer and discharge reports.

4.    To prepare for and participate in an annual job appraisal which includes a 6 monthly review with the SLT acute clinical lead.

5.    To attend King’s College Hospital Speech and Language Therapy team meetings.

6.    To provide full, accurate and timely statistical data.

7.    To comply with departmental procedures and policies and contribute to developments in clinical effectiveness, including risk management

Leadership 

1.    To jointly lead the Acute Frailty and Elderly SLT team at PRUH provide clinical support and supervision to junior therapists within the team.

2.    To assist in the ordering and be responsible for the accurate record keeping, safe-keeping and maintenance of therapy equipment, in line with standards and policy, including infection control.

3.    To assist in the co-ordination of Acute Frailty and Elderly SLT team objectives and projects.

4.    To attend and participate in King’s SLT and Multiprofessional team meetings as appropriate.  

5.    To develop care protocols and standards relating to the delivery of the SLT Acute Frailty and Elderly service.

Education and Training

1.    To participate in nurse dysphagia screen training programme run by the SLT department. 

2.    To take part in the clinical training for SLT students as agreed and appropriate including preparation for and participation in practical exams.

3.    To participate in the SLT Department in service training programme.

4.    To pursue an active programme of continuing professional development including feedback to the team on any courses or conferences attended.

Governance / Quality Control

1.    To maintain and record an active programme of continuing professional development, including feeding back to colleagues on any courses or conferences attended.

2.    To make recommendations on service development and governance. 

3.    To be an active member of relevant special interest groups.

4.    To participate regularly in the evaluation of the effectiveness of intervention and models of service delivery, maintaining up to date knowledge of relevant clinical practice and research

5.    To undertake specific departmental audit projects and contribute to departmental research where appropriate

Research and Service Development

1.    To lead and participate in relevant audit activity within King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

2.    To participate in research initiatives in the relevant area.

3.    To publish and disseminate information which results from research and audit activity.

People Management and Performance 
1.    Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.
2.    Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure each member of the team has a clear set of objectives and development plans.
3.    Ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment.
General 
1.    The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
2.    To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
3.    To live and role model the King’s Values – we are a kind and respectful team.
4.    To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff. 
5.    To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
6.    This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder. 
7.    All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication. 
Safe Guarding 

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;

•    attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
•    familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns 
•    reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately
Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training.  These standards must be strictly always complied with.