Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) with the Wigan Behaviour Assessment Support and Engage team (BASE ).

The postholder will predominantly work from the Wigan BASE team in Leigh, to plan develop and co-ordinate the speech and language therapy services for multiply vulnerable young people who have speech, language and communication needs and a diagnosed disability.

This is a permanent full time post ( hours) to be worked across Monday to Friday with some evening and weekend work on an ad hoc basis.

You must have NHS/UK healthcare experience to be considered for this post.

Main duties of the job

The post involves identification at a highly specialist level of the type of communication disorder found in this client group and the provision of a range of appropriate interventions including individual and group programmes to the young people, their families and their staff.

There is a strong advisory element within this role with the postholder working closely with staff to facilitate their communication skills with this client group including coaching and training to raise awareness of the types of communication difficulties faced by young people and the strategies that facilitate their communication.

About us

Choose Well - Choose WWL

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Planning and Organisational Duties

To advise line manager on clinical issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc. To assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including participation in working groups, policy development groups To use specialist knowledge to lead service/policy developments as appropriate To have a flexible approach to working hours, in line with service requirements. To assess and diagnose within the highly specialist clinical area of multiply vulnerable young people. To develop and implement highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy treatment and evaluate outcomes. To produce detailed reports reflecting specialist knowledge regarding the young persons needs and summarising proposed treatment plans. To contribute to legal documents such as Education, Health and Care Plans. Annual reviews and individual education plans. To provide specialist advice to young people, their families and other professionals regarding the management and support of young people with communication difficulties. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures. To adapt practice to meet individual circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies. To share information with families and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines. To contribute to the multi-disciplinary team to ensure a young person centred asset-based approach to treatment. To communicate complex information from specialist assessment and treatment, to young people, families and other professionals. To work closely with young people, families and other professionals to negotiate and agree intervention plans. To demonstrate empathy with young people, families and other professionals, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where significant barriers to understanding exist. To respond sensitively at all times, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clinical difficulties and their implications. To demonstrate expert skills in motivating young people, families and other professionals to engage in the therapeutic process. To demonstrate expert skills in managing conflict within the context of the highly specialist clinical area. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, in line with trust policy. To foster productive relationships with others who have challenging communication difficulties and/or who may be under stress. To employ excellent communication skills. To apply expert strategies to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of communication, both verbal, non-verbal and environmental. To provide specialist assessment and advice on optimising the communication environment, including the communication skills of families and other professionals within the young persons environment To provide training to the BASE team (including parents where assessed appropriate) in key areas of SALT expertise. To provide specialist clinical advice and support to other professionals, offering case discussions, joint assessments, joint intervention and therapy programmes as appropriate. To discharge appropriately, agreeing a point of closure with the young person and family, and informing other professionals. To gather statistical data punctually To participate in departmental research as required To initiate and undertake clinical governance/audit projects as required To demonstrate expert knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks (clinical area) To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice independently, with peers and mentors to identify own strengths and development needs To demonstrate a well-developed ability to integrate information, taking into account all aspects of the young persons communication, including verbal, non-verbal and environmental. To anticipate and take appropriate steps to prevent the breakdown of relationships with young people, families and other professionals To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from specialist assessment seeking internal and external support as appropriate To demonstrate a well-developed ability to manage people with challenging behaviours including the application of appropriate management strategies To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a regular basis. To demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment diagnosis and treatment of patients/clients To have due regard for your own personal safety and that of people, in particular to have regard to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensure the safe positioning of self and others

Responsibility for Finance

To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate To be responsible for the security, care, maintenance and delivery of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to client.

Responsibility for Human Resources

To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan/ Professional Portfolio developed within an appraisal framework, including objectives relating to clinical specialism To participate in Individual Performance Review ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans, including specific objectives relating the clinical specialism To attend specialist short courses and advanced training in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a highly specialist therapist working in the field of complex communication disorders and maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to RCSLT Professional Guidelines and develop local guidelines within: clinical area. To provide full student placements, including assessment of the placements as appropriate To provide supervision, training and support for generalist and newly qualified therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsibility for Teaching

To develop and deliver specialist training to others in area of clinical expertise To demonstrate the ability to target training appropriately to the needs of course participants To demonstrate the ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided

Work Circumstances

Monday to Sunday with some evening work

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent. Health Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice.

Desirable

Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses up to masters level equivalent.

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience at specialist level. Relevant experience with transferable skills appropriate to area of clinical expertise Experience of developing and delivering training. NHS/UK healthcare experience.

Skills

Essential

Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills. Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills. Highly developed clinical skills.

Knowledge

Essential

Well established knowledge of a broad range assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group. In depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group) and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the specialist client group)

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