Speech and Language Therapist

Main Purpose:

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

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Apply the neurobehavioural approach to brain injury, demonstrating knowledge of current research findings and best practice in the field.
• Manage and prioritise a caseload of individuals with complex mental/physical health needs and/or challenging behaviour.
• Use evidence-based practice, service user-centred principles and clinical reasoning to assess, plan, implement and evaluate intervention.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments, considering environment, context and future plans, of individuals in order to formulate appropriate rehabilitation goals, care plans, communication and dysphagia therapy programmes and referrals.
• Overcome barriers in communication in order 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.
• Seek consent from individuals or advocate to include and share information with family, carers and other stakeholders, respecting everyone's right to confidentiality.
• Provide information about individuals' communication abilities and support needs.
• Complete swallowing assessments, providing recommendations, care plans, onward referrals and training for all staff in the safe management and rehabilitation of dysphagia.
• Be aware of and comply with responsibilities regarding risk management and safeguarding and look for ways to improve, taking action as required, helping others to do same.
• Complete risk assessments and find ways to improve health and safety within work area if required.
• Exercise duty of care in all aspects of role.
• Maintain the equipment and inventory within the area of work, informing the service manager of any replacement needs.
• Maintain registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council, complying with their requirements in compiling portfolio.

Other Responsibilities:Leadership:

• Work flexibly and creatively as an autonomous clinical professional in a specialist area, potentially as a sole clinician.
• Exhibit self-belief and integrity, being prepared to face challenges and stand-up for own viewpoint.
• Promote and support quality, effective working, continuous improvement and change management through own behaviours.
• Develop excellent working relationships through a collaborative, multi/interdisciplinary model while respecting professional boundaries.
• Lead in the planning, development and evaluation of speech and language therapy services within a designated area/team.
• Gather, collate and analyse information needed to solve a variety of clinical and professional problems.
• Develop networks with other local services to support referrals as well as act as a resource for signposting others.
• Participate in clinical governance and quality assurance, evaluating own work and that of others, taking action as required.
• Actively act as a role model, accepting professional accountability and responsibility.

Evidence Research and Development:

• Undertake research and/or audit projects relevant to speech and language therapy, as well as the service and organisation.
• Actively participate in the ongoing sustainability of the service and organisation.
• Make recommendations on speech and language therapy related issues.
• Participate in appropriate meetings both clinical and developmental to ensure effective collaborative communication and decision making.
• Ensure appropriate liaison with relevant clinical teams, departments, support networks and special interest groups.

Facilitation of Learning:

• Support the creation of a culture where everyone is encouraged to learn from their mistakes through giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Contribute to the recruitment, training, education and development of others including service users, families and the staff team.
• Promote awareness of the role of speech and language therapy within the team and negotiate priorities where appropriate.
• Demonstrate leadership through modelling professional behaviours, conflict resolution, participation in meetings and service development.
• Participate openly in supervision and continuously reflect on own performance.

Personal Development, Supervision and Training:

• Be accountable for own practice and take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve own knowledge, professional competence and support continual learning and development.
• Use reflective practice, identify own 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.
• Work within the limits of own competence and seek advice and support when needed.
• Participate in regular training sessions, both formal and informal, on a variety of topics relevant to your role.
• Attend and participate in training programmes/courses, both in the locality and other Trust premises and external sources, as appropriate for the role and development in agreement with your line Manager.
• Attend and implement all mandatory training provided by the Trust and be aware of other learning opportunities.

About You:

We're 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.

• £35,392 to £42,618 DOE pro rata.
• 38 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) (pro rata).
• 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 incl. 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.

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