Highly-Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Craniofacial)

Highly-Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Craniofacial)

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This is an exciting opportunity for a therapist to join one of four designated supra-regional services for the provision of craniofacial surgery in the UK. The Unit's SLT service provides specialist information, assessment and advice for children and young people with craniofacial conditions, from birth into adulthood. This is delivered within the context of the multidisciplinary Craniofacial team, in partnership with families and through liaison with local services. There are opportunities for involvement in national initiatives and multi-centre projects/research. There is opportunity for this role to be a development post. Supervision and support will be provided and applicants from other specialties with generalizable skills ae welcome to apply.

You will provide highly specialist clinical input to this care group and contribute to the development of the service in this area. Due to clinic constraints, this role is for specific days (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).Peer support and supervision structures are in place. You will have opportunities to develop supportive working relationships with a wide range of multi-disciplinary team members. Applicants considering a Band 6 to 7 progression will be considered.

Main duties of the job

You will have the ability to work autonomously, demonstrate safe clinical decision-making and expert care, apply critical thinking in all decision-making processes, whilst working collaboratively within the MDT to meet the needs of patients. This post is for 15 hours a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

You should have:

Significant experience as a Speech and Language Therapist (areas of practice with generalizable skills are welcome to apply);

Advanced interpersonal and communication skills;

Experience of multidisciplinary collaborative practice.

All applicants are encouraged to arrange an informal teleconference discussion. For further information please contact: Sarah Kilcoyne sarah.kilcoyne@ouh.nhs.uk

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Job responsibilities

• To demonstrate a well-developed knowledge of paediatric therapy for both eating and drinking and communication skills, underpinned by current evidence based practice.
• To work within a specialist and highly complex clinical caseload as an autonomous practitioner.
• To develop the ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.
• To use and demonstrate specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for complex case management and advise others on the same.
• To make appropriate differential diagnoses and highly specialist clinical decisions based on assessment findings.
• To develop clear care plans based on best practice and to update these according to departmental standards
• To write reports reflecting specialist knowledge according to departmental standards.
• To provide appropriate specialist intervention based on evidence-based practice and to evaluate therapy using outcome measures.
• To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management.
• To assess, and be highly skilled in communicating sensitive, complex condition related information to patients, carers, families and members of the MDT/other professions
• To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate
• To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct
• To participate in student placements as appropriate
• To adapt practice to meet individual patient/client circumstances
• To provide mentoring to more junior Speech and Language Therapists
• To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to visitors, students and volunteers.
• To assist in the support of students from other professional groups as appropriate.
• To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies.
• To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines

Education and Development Responsibility own as well as the development of others

• To offer support and supervision as needed to SLTs within the team.
• To be aware of changing trends in treatment and promote Evidence Based Practice within own specialist area of work in order to provide the highest standard of care to service users. To ensure the packages of care offered by the department reflect these standards.
• To participate in clinical audit, service development activities and research programmes as required. To contribute to formulating policies for specialist area and proposals for general service changes.
• To demonstrate own willingness to learn.
• To be actively involved in own supervision, peer support and relevant specialist section support groups.

Clinical Governance

• To ensure that statistics and notes are kept in accordance with local and national policies.
• To work in accordance with the Standards and Policies issued by the RCSLT, HCPC, the Trust and the SLT Department and to meet legal requirements.
• To keep up to date with clinical developments and changing trends in practice, including National Service Frameworks and Clinical Excellence Networks.
• To be responsible for the safe use of equipment by other staff and outside agencies.
• To be involved in monitoring and evaluation of SLT intervention as part of the multidisciplinary service and to liaise as necessary with other departments/ disciplines and with the wider SLT service.
• To undertake specific projects as necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HEALTH & SAFETYThe post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude towards these duties, which may have to vary subject to the needs of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and in keeping with the general profile of the post. The job description does not form part of the contract of employment.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Job description

Job responsibilities

To demonstrate a well-developed knowledge of paediatric therapy for both eating and drinking and communication skills, underpinned by current evidence based practice.

To work within a specialist and highly complex clinical caseload as an autonomous practitioner.

To develop the ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.

To use and demonstrate specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for complex case management and advise others on the same.

To make appropriate differential diagnoses and highly specialist clinical decisions based on assessment findings.

To develop clear care plans based on best practice and to update these according to departmental standards

To write reports reflecting specialist knowledge according to departmental standards.

To provide appropriate specialist intervention based on evidence-based practice and to evaluate therapy using outcome measures.

To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management.

To assess, and be highly skilled in communicating sensitive, complex condition related information to patients, carers, families and members of the MDT/other professions

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate

To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct

To participate in student placements as appropriate

To adapt practice to meet individual patient/client circumstances

To provide mentoring to more junior Speech and Language Therapists

To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to visitors, students and volunteers.

To assist in the support of students from other professional groups as appropriate.

To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies.

To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines

Education and Development Responsibility own as well as the development of others

To offer support and supervision as needed to SLTs within the team.

To be aware of changing trends in treatment and promote Evidence Based Practice within own specialist area of work in order to provide the highest standard of care to service users. To ensure the packages of care offered by the department reflect these standards.

To participate in clinical audit, service development activities and research programmes as required. To contribute to formulating policies for specialist area and proposals for general service changes.

To demonstrate own willingness to learn.

To be actively involved in own supervision, peer support and relevant specialist section support groups.

Clinical Governance

To ensure that statistics and notes are kept in accordance with local and national policies.

To work in accordance with the Standards and Policies issued by the RCSLT, HCPC, the Trust and the SLT Department and to meet legal requirements.

To keep up to date with clinical developments and changing trends in practice, including National Service Frameworks and Clinical Excellence Networks.

To be responsible for the safe use of equipment by other staff and outside agencies.

To be involved in monitoring and evaluation of SLT intervention as part of the multidisciplinary service and to liaise as necessary with other departments/ disciplines and with the wider SLT service.

To undertake specific projects as necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HEALTH & SAFETYThe post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude towards these duties, which may have to vary subject to the needs of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and in keeping with the general profile of the post. The job description does not form part of the contract of employment.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

TITLE: Speech and Language Therapist

GRADE: Band 6/7

HOURS: 15 hours per week

ANNUAL LEAVE: 27 days per annual leave year plus up to 8 Bank Holidays pro-rata

NOTICE PERIOD: 2 months

NON-SMOKING

As part of the Oxford University Hospitals promotion of good health, all sites are NO SMOKING premises. Hopefully, if you are a smoker, you will see that the Oxford University Hospitals is acting in the overall interests of its employees health and you will not be deterred from applying for any post, which interests you.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

All appointments are subject to satisfactory health screening by our Occupational Health Service. Any candidate invited for interview who is not already employed within the Trust must complete a pre-employment questionnaire and the Occupational Health Physician may require a further medical examination.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

It is the duty of every employee to work in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will therefore refer any matters of concern through their respective line managers. Similarly it is each persons responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their managers.

STANDARD OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

All staff working at the Oxford University Hospitals are subject to the regulations which prohibit NHS staff from:

(a) Soliciting gifts or hospitality from any organisations, firms or individuals

with whom they are brought into contact in the course of their work, and

(b) Having private interests, this may conflict with their NHS duties.

SICK LEAVE

Initially one month full pay and (after completing four months service) two months half pay, rising to a maximum of 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay after completing 5 years service.

Successful applications transferring from one NHS employer to another may be able to transfer their earned entitlement to sick pay and annual leave.

A contract of employment is based on the terms and conditions of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE: Speech and Language Therapist

GRADE: Band 6/7

DEPARTMENT: Specialist Surgery

Attainments

Essential

Desirable

Educational

Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent

Health Professions Council Licence to Practice

Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

MSc or other recognized long post graduate course linked to specialism

Counselling qualification

Evidence of training as clinical supervisor

Dysphagia experience (generalizable skills from adult practice will be considered)

Occupational

Evidence of a minimum of four years in depth experience in specialist clinical area (may be a clinical area with transferable skills)

Evidence of high level of specialist knowledge/skills as a result of experience/CPD

Demonstrates excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Able to organise work load and manage time

Able to prioritise work load clinical and non-clinical

Demonstrates ability to be a good team member and assume leadership responsibilities

Demonstrates knowledge of specialist SLT assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group

Demonstrates knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to specialist client group

Demonstrates in depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits

Demonstrates in depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit

Demonstrates awareness of the roles of other professionals

Demonstrates awareness of standards of record keeping

Able to maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management

Able to manage emotional consequences of working with patients with a range of communication disorders

Able to identify own strengths and needs

Able to identify when to seek support

Demonstrates the ability to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor

Demonstrates adequate flexibility to meet the demands of an unpredictable workload

Experience in delivering paediatric speech and language assessment and intervention;

Experience working with specialist client group (craniofacial);

Experience with clinical audit;

Experience in paediatric dysphagia.

Personal Qualities

Demonstrates highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills

Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills

Demonstrates well developed concentration skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Able to listen well and counsel patients and carers,

Able to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues

Able to communicate effectively particularly where barriers to understanding exist

Demonstrate developing motivational skills

Person Specification

Educational

• oRecognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• oHealth Professions Council Licence to Practice
• oRegistered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
• oMSc or other recognized long post graduate course linked to specialism
• oCounselling qualification
• oEvidence of training as clinical supervisor
• oDysphagia experience (generalizable skills from adult practice will be considered)

Occupational

• oEvidence of a minimum of four years in depth experience in specialist clinical area (may be a clinical area with transferable skills)
• oEvidence of high level of specialist knowledge/skills as a result of experience/CPD
• oDemonstrates excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• oAble to organise work load and manage time oAble to prioritise work load - clinical and non-clinical
• oDemonstrates ability to be a good team member and assume leadership responsibilities
• oDemonstrates knowledge of specialist SLT assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group
• oDemonstrates knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to specialist client group
• oDemonstrates in depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits
• oDemonstrates in depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
• oDemonstrates awareness of the roles of other professionals
• oDemonstrates awareness of standards of record keeping
• oAble to maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management
• oAble to manage emotional consequences of working with patients with a range of communication disorders
• oAble to identify own strengths and needs
• oAble to identify when to seek support
• oDemonstrates the ability to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor
• oDemonstrates adequate flexibility to meet the demands of an unpredictable workload
• oExperience in delivering paediatric speech and language assessment and intervention;
• oExperience working with specialist client group (craniofacial);
• oExperience with clinical audit;
• oExperience in paediatric dysphagia

Personal Qualities

• oDemonstrates highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
• oDemonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills
• oExcellent interpersonal skills
• oAble to listen well and counsel patients and carers,
• oAble to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues
• oAble to communicate effectively particularly where barriers to understanding exist

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

John Radcliffe Hospital

Oxford Craniofacial Unit, LG1 West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital

Oxford Craniofacial Unit, LG1 West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital