Specialised Speech

Job summary

Our Autism Diagnostic Service providing multi-disciplinary assessment(MDA) for children in Wakefield is seeking a new team member as we expand outservice. This is an opportunity to help us shape the future of theteam and work as part of a growing and developing service.

We have anexciting opportunity to recruit a permanent Speech and Language Therapist ClinicalTeam Lead within the Autism Diagnostic Service at Mid Yorkshire TeachingHospital NHS Trust. You will be part of and lead a team of Speech and languagetherapists within the MDA pathway.

Our ideal candidate hasexperience of working with autistic children and is highly skilled in carryingout complex speech, language and communication assessments. We are looking for someone who is a highly motivated and enthusiastic speech and language therapist to join our team. We can also offer training indiagnostic tools if you do not already have this.

Children'sspeech and language therapy sits within the wider "Children'sTherapy" which is an integrated team of OTs, Physios and Speech andlanguage therapists. This team works together to benefit the needs of thechildren and families in Wakefield and Pontefract.

Main duties of the job

To support the Mid Yorkshire Teaching Hospital NHS TrustAutism diagnostic pathway. The post holder will be part of theMulti-Disciplinary Assessment Team (MDA), carrying out complex speech, languageand communication assessments to assist with a diagnostic outcome for childrenwithin the autism spectrum. This will include the use of ADOS.

To be clinical lead for the speech and language team withinthe MDA Pathway providing clinical leadership and support to promote high quality client-centred care ensuring clients are treated with dignity, equity and respect..

To manage staff working within the children's speech and language team MDA team.

To coordinate, help deliver and develop training packages toour own staff and those of our partner agencies on all aspects of communicationand interaction related to autism.

About us

We provide care and support to over a million people inWakefield and Kirklees in their homes, community settings and across ourthree hospital sites at Pontefract, Dewsbury and Pinderfields (Wakefield).

Always striving for excellence, we are at the forefront ofinnovation and research, and we invest in teaching and the development of ourworkforce.

We live by our values of caring, improving, being respectfuland maintaining high standards. We listen and learn because we aim to make MidYorkshire the best place to work and receive care.

We value diversity and welcome talent and enthusiasmirrespective of age, disability, neurodivergence, sex, gender identity andgender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation,or other personal circumstances including providing unpaid carers support tosomeone with a health and care need. As ethnic minority groups, members of theLGBTQ+ community, and people with a disability/neurodivergence are currentlyunder-represented across the organisation, we encourage applications frommembers of these groups. We have policies and procedures to ensure allapplicants are treated fairly and consistently.

We are proud of our staff networks - who offer valuableguidance and feedback from those with lived experience.

We have a clear vision and you could be part of this Ifyou share our values and you want to make a difference to the lives of ourpatients and their families and carers, we would love to hear from you.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provideclinical leadership to the MDA Pathway

To work effectively within the MDA team for autism spectrum disorders, providing detailed assessment and advice to aid correct diagnosis for these children.

To work clinically with clients presenting with a wide range of communication difficulties relating to the Autistic spectrum, initiating and promoting excellence in clinical practice acting as a role model to the team.

To supportthe electronic triage process of referrals into the MDA pathway, speaking toreferring agents as required

To supportand lead on Risk Management.

To representPaediatric SLT at strategic level as required.

To lead onClinical Governance initiatives/tasks as required

To assist in the planning, development andevaluation of the service, holding responsibility for defined projects todevelop services for patients using the service as agreed with the servicelead.

To work closely with other members of thehospital team to provide a co-ordinated service for patients within the Trust.

To contribute to the Trust and therapy service clinical governance arrangements and qualityagenda, including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.

To investigate incidents recorded in designatedteam / area of work. To take responsibility as lead investigator to actionplans as a result of incidents. To escalate outcomes of incident investigationto the therapy service lead

To maintain a culture which recognises and works in partnership with clients and carers, involving them in all decisions relating to care delivery.

To liaiseeffectively with colleagues, other agencies, clients and their carers to ensurean efficient system of communication. Be able to vary how information iscommunicated dependent on the recipients, this may include difficult orsensitive information. To attend & participate in regular team meetings.

Toassist the therapy service lead in the delivering of service strategy andobjectives on a day to day basis, planning, co-ordinating, delivering andevaluating the therapy service provided

Todemonstrate and maintain own knowledge and awareness of recognising andresponding appropriately to safeguarding the needs of vulnerable children.Including participation in regular safeguarding supervision at least once every12 weeks, in line with trust policy. To attend multi-agency safeguardingmeetings as required.

To attend designated meetings and ensure accurate feedback of any changes to clients communication and/or feeding difficulties.

To participate in clinical supervision ensuringthat practice is maintained at high levels and is evaluated utilisingappropriate mechanisms.

To provide regular clinical supervision formembers of the team

To undertake annual appraisals for members of thepaediatric SLT team

To participate in multi-agency forums, includingexternal agencies, as delegated by the service lead.

To contribute to the dissemination of informationbetween team members, using effective communication channels

To encourage contributions and suggestions from staff to improve the delivery of high-quality service within the department.

To be pro-active in self-development byparticipating in learning opportunities provided through staff training andsupervision.

Maintain and update skills and knowledge throughlife-long learning, especially within the sphere of childrens services.

Toundertake all mandatory/essential training as required by MYHT.

To take the lead in team developments as designated by the line manager.

To maintain standards in ongoing health information, both electronic and paper-based, ensuring safe keeping and confidentiality, accurate record keeping of relevant data and profiling. To input clinical information onto SystmOne as per trust policy.

To maintain confidentiality, privacy and dignity in relation to the clients and their treatments at all times in line with trust policy.

To promote effective communication and support for clients, their families and carers

To manage own workload and coordinate that of others within the team.

To liaise regularly with the Children's Therapies Service Lead & to report directly on all matters relating to SLT MDA team by attending regular meetings.

To ensure all client care is assessed, planned and evaluated according to RCSLT guidelines.

The team leader will be a role model for the team, sharing and developing good practice, clinical expertise, providing team leadership, leading in service developments and ensuring targets are being achieved

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Evidence of Clinical leadership skills Significant post registration SLT experience working with children with social communication needs Evidence of recent and relevant clinical experience of working with children with autism Ability to establish good working relationships Evidence of relevant ongoing professional and clinical development Experience of working in successful multidisciplinary teams Work within a variety of settings and with a variety of agencies Evidence of providing clinical supervision Team management skills

Desirable

Experience of use of effective outcome measures Experience of teaching Experience of mentoring staff Working within an autism diagnostic team ADOS trained Wide experience of service development within childrens therapy

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Evidence of providing accurate records of communication consistent with legislation, policies and procedures. Evidence of appropriate communication with people on complex matters and or complex issues Understanding and experience of inter-agency working and services available within health and social care and education services Sound understanding of Clinical Audit and evaluation IT literate Managing complaints

Desirable

Clinical audit & evaluation Previous use of Systmone Teaching/presentation skills

Other

Essential

Ability to satisfy Occupational Health screening Adaptable and flexible according to the demands of the service. Understanding of need to maintain confidentiality Able to carry out duties commensurate with the role

Knowledge and Awareness

Essential

Up to date and relevant knowledge of the variety of childhood conditions which impact on development of appropriate speech, language and communication skills. Considerable awareness of the impacts of social communication on access to the curriculum. Understanding of current NHS Policy direction and service modernisation Awareness of up to date NICE guidance relevant to role Knowledge of local and regional safeguarding practice

Personal Attributes

Essential

Ability to promote equality and value diversity Professional attitude and positive role model Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team Ability to travel across the district Flexibility with regards to patterns of work Able to carry out duties commensurate with the role Confident, caring and empathetic Ability to motivate others Committed to personal and team development

Qualifications

Essential

SLT Degree HCPC registered Evidence of relevant and up to date post graduate training & / experience working in the field of autism and working with education

Desirable

Postgraduate qualification in autism RCSLT membership

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