Senior Specialist Speech Therapist

Main Purpose

To work as part of a multidisciplinary team providing speech and language therapy input within the Brainkind Neurobehavioral model to individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) and to lead on SaLT provision within the service.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• To apply the neurobehavioral approach to brain injury, demonstrating knowledge of current research findings, and best practice in the field.
• To manage and prioritize a caseload of individuals with complex mental/physical health needs and/or challenging behavior.
• To use evidence-based practice, service user-centered principles, and clinical reasoning to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate intervention.
• To undertake comprehensive assessments, considering environment, context, and future, of individuals to formulate appropriate rehabilitation goals, care plans, communication and dysphagia therapy programs, and referrals.
• To overcome barriers in communication to actively engage individuals in assessment, rehabilitation, and discharge planning to gain valid informed consent. Where necessary, work within a legal framework with individuals who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• To seek consent from individuals or advocates to include and share information with family, carers, and other stakeholders, respecting everyone's right to confidentiality.
• To provide information about individuals' communication abilities and support needs.
• To complete swallowing assessments, providing recommendations, care plans, onward referrals, and training for all staff in the safe management and rehabilitation of dysphagia.
• To be aware of and comply with responsibilities regarding risk management and safeguarding and look for ways to improve, acting as required, helping others to do the same.
• To complete risk assessments and find ways to improve health and safety within the work area if required.
• To exercise duty of care in all aspects of the role.
• To maintain the equipment and inventory within the area of work, informing the service manager of any replacement needs.
• To maintain registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council, complying with their requirements in compiling a portfolio.

Leadership

To work flexibly and creatively as an autonomous clinical professional in a specialist area, potentially as a sole clinician.

To exhibit self-belief and integrity, being prepared to face challenges and stand up for one's viewpoint.

To promote and support quality, effective working, continuous improvement, and change management through one's behaviors.

To develop excellent working relationships through a collaborative, multidisciplinary model while respecting professional boundaries.

To lead in the planning, development, and evaluation of speech and language therapy services within a designated area/team.

To gather, collate, and analyze information needed to solve a variety of clinical and professional problems.

To develop networks with other local services to support referrals as well as function as a resource for signposting others.

To participate in clinical governance and quality assurance, evaluating one's work and that of others, acting as required.

To actively function as a role model, accepting professional accountability and responsibility.

Evidence, Research, and Development

To undertake research and/or audit projects relevant to speech and language therapy, as well as the service and organization.

To actively participate in the ongoing sustainability of the service and organization.

To make recommendations on speech and language therapy-related issues.

To participate in appropriate meetings both clinical and developmental to ensure effective collaborative communication and decision-making.

To ensure appropriate liaison with relevant clinical teams, departments, support networks, and special interest groups.

Facilitation of Learning

To support the creation of a culture where everyone is encouraged to learn from their mistakes through giving and receiving constructive feedback.

To contribute to the recruitment, training, education, and development of others, including service users, families, and the staff team.

To promote awareness of the role of speech and language therapy within the team and negotiate priorities where appropriate.

To demonstrate leadership through modeling professional behaviors, conflict resolution, participation in meetings, and service development.

To participate openly in supervision and continuously reflect on one's performance.

Personal Development, Supervision, and Training

To be accountable for one's practice and take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve one's knowledge, professional competence, and support continual learning and development.

To use reflective practice, identify one's learning needs through proactive participation in clinical supervision and the Trust's Being our Best performance review process, and demonstrate commitment to recording of continuous professional development.

To work within the limits of one's competence and seek advice and support when needed.

To participate in regular training sessions, both formal and informal, on a variety of topics relevant to the role.

To attend and participate in training programs/courses, both in the locality and other Trust premises and external sources, as appropriate for the role and development in agreement with one's line manager.

To attend and implement all mandatory training provided by the Trust and be aware of other learning opportunities.

To undertake any other duties as may from time to time be specified by Brainkind, that is within the level and responsibility appropriate to the grade of post.

About You

We are looking for someone with the following skills and qualities:

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Registered with the HCPC.
• Achieved Dysphagia Competencies.
• A wide range of experience in hospital or residential settings.
• Specialist knowledge of SaLT models and interventions in ABI, e.g., social communication, cognitive communication, communication partner training.
• Knowledge and experience of speech and language therapy outcome measures.
• Minimum 4 years qualified experience encompassing complex case management.
• Minimum 2 years' experience working with adults with neurological conditions or 4+ years post-registration experience in an alternative clinical setting.

Rewards

You can look forward to excellent benefits, including handy discounts on many brands and services.

• A competitive salary of £46,224 - £53,789.
• £3000 GOLDEN HELLO BONUS T & C'S APPLY.
• 38 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays).
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Excellent training and support.
• Company Pension.
• Group life assurance.
• Eye voucher scheme.
• Long service and staff awards.
• Free parking.
• Nationwide employee staff discounts, including eating out and shopping.
• Blue Light Card: provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector, and armed forces with discounts online and in-store.

We also put a big focus on employee wellbeing and support. It matters to us that you feel at your best. Career development is a priority. We will ensure you get all the training and learning opportunities you need to achieve your goals.

We will consider applications from candidates who require sponsorship. To join our friendly team, click the Apply Now button.

Please note we will be shortlisting and interviewing candidates on a rolling basis until the role is filled, therefore, we recommend applying as soon as possible.

All successful candidates are subject to compliance checks, including 3 years of checkable references and DBS/PVG checks.

Brainkind are a Disability Confident Employer. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

Brainkind is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive organization. It is a place where we recognize, celebrate, and live our values, which includes offering a range of inclusive employment policies and staff engagement forums to support employees from all backgrounds.

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