Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Professional / Clinical responsibilities

1. To assess, develop and implement Specialist Speech and Language Therapy intervention programmes to meet the needs of clients; adapting practice based on individual clients’ or families’ circumstances and outcomes, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences
2. To develop information and resources for clients, families and relevant others regarding the management and care of clients with communication and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties
3. To write comprehensive reports to be shared with families and a range of professionals, reflecting specialist knowledge
4. To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice
5. To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues and to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management
6. To implement care pathways and recommend changes in practice as appropriate
7. To identify and make appropriate onward referrals to other agencies
8. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures
9. To raise local awareness of the importance of developing communication skills within service area.
10. To identify training needs and to develop, provide and evaluate appropriate specialist training to parents, carers, volunteers, educators and practitioners.
11. To participate in and contribute to projects, activities and events including attendance at team meetings
12. To establish appropriate partnerships with agencies and disciplines which are seeking to promote social and educational inclusion for children with speech, language, and communication difficulties.

• Management and Leadership

To take a delegated role or lead as requested by Team Leader, including participation in working groups, policy development groups, specific projects and events

13. To use specialist knowledge to inform line manager on issues of service delivery/ policy development, including access and equity shortfalls and, service pressures
14. To develop care protocols/packages relating to specialist area in liaison with Team Leader to improve client care
15. To negotiate with others including health, education and social care professionals to achieve seamless services for children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs

• Financial and physical resources responsibilities

16. To monitor stock levels in own service area and request and purchase new equipment as appropriate
17. To develop resources of interest to specialist client group
18. To follow procedures for ensuring the security, care and maintenance of equipment, taking responsibility for maintaining standards of infection control and safety– including equipment loaned to clients

• Education & Professional Development

19. To engage in reflective practice with peers through participation in peer review, peer mentoring and supervision as appropriate
20. To provide mentoring, advice and support to more junior Speech and Language Therapists, Assistants, speech and language therapy students, and volunteers
21. To facilitate the development of others’ problem solving/negotiation skills within peer review/support
22. To plan, monitor and support the work of assistants, students, administration staff and volunteers
23. To resolve verbal complaints about the Speech and Language Therapy service in liaison with team leader
24. To generate appropriate strategies for management of own workload
25. To take on organisational responsibilities within, and contribute to, team meetings
26. To develop and review induction packages, to provide induction for more junior members of staff
27. To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to parents, visitors, students, other professionals and volunteers
28. To provide full student placements, including assessment of the placements as appropriate
29. To support students from other professional groups as appropriate
30. To establish own learning needs and take responsibility for own learning
31. To contribute to identifying training needs within the team.

• Information management

32. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies
33. To share information with carers, school staff and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines and client confidentiality
34. To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines.
35. To contribute to team-wide initiatives to seek the views of children, parents and partner organisations on the quality and effectiveness of service provided
36. To participate in departmental research, Clinical Governance/Audit projects.

• Freedom to act

37. To manage independently a caseload of children including complex cases
38. To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate
39. To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct and the Trust’s value based behaviours.
40. To work independently accessing line management, supervision, and performance development reviews (appraisal) at pre-determined intervals