Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 5-6 Run-Through)

NHS; Edgware; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 5-6 Run-Through)

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work with Children and Young People in Barnet mainstream schools. We have 1.8 WTE permanent band 5-6 development posts available which would be suitable for newly qualified, current band 5s or band 6s.

You will work independently and with supervision and support, alongside a friendly, open, supportive and experienced therapy team to deliver assessment and intervention for children and young people with a range of complex communication difficulties, and to provide training and advice to empower their families and education staff.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to support their team, department, and organisation to achieve the Trust's Values in their day-to-day work. The post holder will achieve this by:

• Providing a comprehensive Speech and Language Therapy service to children presenting with a range of speech, language and communication needs in the borough.
• Independently managing a paediatric caseload and delivering integrated therapeutic packages of care.
• Devising child-centred speech, language and communication therapy programmes and care plans for clients.
• Contributing to multi-agency care pathways for children with special needs.
• Providing feedback, guidance and training to parents/carers and other professionals regarding language and communication needs and strategies to facilitate children's development.
• Committing to collaborative working and actively supporting and liaising with other health, education, and social care professionals.
• Supporting peers and colleagues by being an effective team member and providing supervision as appropriate, whilst working on own initiative.
• Supporting pathway leads and clinical leads with service development, including audits and Quality Improvement projects.

About us

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief.

Job responsibilities

Patient care

To be responsible for clinical delivery of a specialist SLT service to a caseload of children with a range of speech, language and communication needs around the borough of Barnet.

To evaluate the effects of communication difficulties on the psychosocial well-being of children and their families.

Complete assessments, write individual programmes, implement groups, provide specialist advice and resources and review outcomes with a functional based focus.

To work collaboratively with children, families and other professionals to achieve outcomes for individuals, providing support, programmes, ideas, advice and assessment.

To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures. This requires knowledge of current research and agreed best practice in working in the field of specialism.

To provide a service considering the needs of clients from a range of ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.

To liaise with specialist teaching staff, classroom teachers and education support staff to provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy input to curriculum and programme planning.

To liaise closely with the Special Needs Services staff within Barnet and with members of the Learning Support Services working with children.

To maintain close links with Speech and Language Therapy staff working in Early Years, School Age and Adult Teams within the trust to ensure smooth transition between phases as required.

Clinical Direct

To provide a comprehensive specialist Speech and Language Therapy service to clients referred with speech, language and communication difficulties within mainstream schools in the borough.

To deliver appropriate formal and informal assessments for a range of clinical specialisms.

To make differential diagnosis based on this assessment and communicate complex condition related information from assessment to children, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professionals.

To always maintain sensitivity to the emotional needs of clients/carers when imparting complex and distressing information regarding the nature of the clients difficulties and the impact of this on individuals and their families.

Following assessment and differential diagnosis, to design and develop evidence-based treatment and management programmes by working closely with clients, carers and families, agreeing decision making relevant to client management, and providing the family with sufficient information to ensure meaningful choices that promote dignity, independence and quality of life.

To deliver programmes devised through a combination of 1:1 therapy, therapy groups, and indirect therapy to be implemented within the multi-disciplinary teams available, and within the child's family.

To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and/or carers to engage in the therapeutic process.

To work closely with school staff to embed inclusive speech, language and communication practice within the classroom.

To impart principles and provide training to establish the use of speech, language and communication enrichment techniques by parents/carers and fellow practitioners.

To review, adapt and facilitate treatment programmes and the use of augmentative communication systems according to clients needs.

To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.

To maintain a high level of concentration in all aspects of patient care at all times, in order to monitor auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of communication adaptations, and to facilitate treatment programmes and the use of augmentative communication systems communication aids according to perceived need, with regard to cultural and linguistic differences.

To initiate referrals to other health professionals, specialist services and agencies.

To be computer literate and ensure accurate recording of actions, updating patients records whilst maintaining confidentiality at all times.

Policy/Service Development/Implementation

To work within the Trust SALT service guidelines for children's services.

To contribute to the provision of speech and language therapy packages of care and clinical care pathways.

To take an active interest in working parties and groups within the Trust to develop and improve on service delivery, protocols and guidelines.

Computer/Administration

To undertake general administrative and client related administrative tasks in line with speech & language therapy service operational policies.

To provide accurate statistical information as required.

To produce specialist reports circulated to a wide range of professional colleagues across agencies, clients and carers regarding clients needs and summarising proposed care plans.

To share information with others observing data protection guidelines.

To be responsible for developing and maintaining clinical assessments and resources for own caseload, requesting additional equipment according to the needs of the clients.

To maintain contemporaneous and accurate records in accordance with RCSLT professional standards and local operational policies and quality standards maintaining standards of confidentiality in storing and using records.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

• Current registered membership of HCPC
• NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy
• Degree or equivalent and Licence to Practice
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Member of relevant clinical excellence network

Knowledge and experience

• Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills
• Good presentation skills, both written and verbal including ability to write clear and concise reports
• Working knowledge of relevant information technology
• Demonstrates ability to be a good team member
• Knowledge of relevant assessment tools
• Skills in planning, assessing and implementing relevant intervention
• Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures
• Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions
• Interest in acquiring broad experience across various relevant care groups
• Awareness of the principles of clinical governance/audit
• Ability to work independently as appropriate
• Awareness of the roles of other relevant professionals
• Ability to work in partnership with other professionals and other agencies
• Awareness and sensitivity to the needs of clients from a range of ethnic and linguistic backgrounds
• Awareness of standards of record keeping
• Understanding of local issues relevant to delivery of a Speech & Language Therapy service
• Ability to deal with and resolve conflict with highly developed Negotiation and Problem-solving Skills
• Demonstrate trust values: innovative, compassionate, accountable, respectful, excellent
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills

Other

• To be able to travel efficiently throughout the area
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• Professional manner
• Flexible approach to work
• Uses initiative
• Commitment to Continuing Professional Development
• Ability to take majority of leave in school holidays

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.

Depending on experience pro-rata per annum inclusive of HCAS.