Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Job Purpose:

To complete social communication assessments as part of the Neurodevelopmental assessment pathway. To contribute to MDT discussions to make decisions about possible diagnosis. To write reports with advice and to signpost to appropriate support.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical Skills To assess and diagnose within the highly specialist clinical area. To produce detailed reports reflecting specialist knowledge regarding patients' 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 demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures To adapt practice to meet individual patients 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 carers and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines To contribute to multi-disciplinary discussions regarding possible diagnosis.

To communicate complex information from specialist assessment to patients, carers and other professionals To demonstrate empathy with patients, carers and other professionals, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where significant barriers to understanding exist. To respond sensitivity 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 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 patient's communication environment, including the communication skills of carers and other professionals within the patient's environment To provide supervision and specialist clinical advice, support and second opinions for therapists and other professionals working within highly specialist clinical area, offering case discussions, joint assessments.

To demonstrate independence in dealing with complex issues associated with caseload management. To discharge appropriately, agreeing a point of closure with the client/carer, and informing other professionals. Clinical Governance Requirements To gather statistical data punctually. To participate in departmental research as required. To initiate and undertake clinical governance/audit projects within: clinical area, as required. To demonstrate expert knowledge of relevant procedures including:
Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks (clinical area). Continuing Professional Development 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 specialist clinical area. Teaching Skills 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. Clinical Leadership To provide full student placements, including assessment of the placements as appropriate. Analytical Skills 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 patient's communication, including verbal, non-verbal and environmental. To anticipate and take appropriate steps to prevent the breakdown of relationships with patients, carers and other professionals. To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from specialist assessment seeking internal and external support as appropriate.

Responsibility for…