JOB DESCRIPTION

1.  JOB DETAILS
SERVICE / NHS Orkney
SERVICE DIRECTORATE/DEPARTMENT / Speech and Language Therapy
JOB TITLE / Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
BAND / Band 7
LOCATION / Kirkwall Health Centre
MANAGER / Clinical Lead, Speech and Language Therapy
ACOUNTABLE TO / Clinical Lead, Speech and Language Therapy
2.  JOB PURPOSE
To act as Highly Specialised Speech and Language Therapist for children with Additional Support Needs attending Glaitness supported classes and support classes at Kirkwall Grammar School, pre-school children with Additional Support Needs and children with eating and drinking difficulties.
3.  DIMENSIONS
The post holder will manage a Highly Specialist Paediatric caseload of children with Significant Additional Support needs.
Caseload 30 – 35
·  To act as leading clinician for the following specialities - Alternative and Augmentative Communication, Paediatric Dysphagia, Children with Additional Support Needs.
·  To provide assessment, diagnosis and appropriate Speech and Language therapy intervention for the above client group in line with Communicating Quality 3 and RECSLT guidelines.
·  To provide support to colleagues in the Speech and Language Therapy team in areas of specialism.
·  To work as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team.
4.  ORGANISATION CHART




5.  ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
To provide a comprehensive Speech and Language Therapy Service to the population of Orkney.
The Speech and Language Therapy Team is one of the services provided by Orkney Health and Care established in April 2010, a Community Health and Social Care Partnership between NHS Orkney and Orkney Islands Council.
The main functions of the Speech and Language Therapy Team (Adult and Paediatric) are:
·  To provide assessment, diagnosis and appropriate intervention throughout Orkney.
·  To work within a robust clinical governance framework in line with local and national policy.
·  To raise awareness and understanding in the public and other professions of the services available from the Orkney Speech and Language Therapy Department.
6.  KEY RESULT AREAS
·  To assess, diagnose and implement Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapy intervention and evaluate outcomes.
·  To provide advice to other professionals regarding management and care of clients and to
act as part of the multidisciplinary team.
·  To share information with others observing data protection guidelines, to attend and
contribute to all relevant case conferences and review meetings, and to write reports
reflecting highly specialist knowledge.
·  To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
·  To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management.
·  To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards
and local policies.
·  To input into Co-ordinated Support Plan procedures and Individual Education Plans
·  To provide specialist training related to clinical specialisms.
·  To provide second opinions to colleagues and to provide leadership within specialist clinical areas.
·  To provide advice and support to colleagues, assistants and volunteers.
·  To provide student placements for Speech & Language Therapy students and other health professionals.
·  To advise line manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc.
·  To develop care protocols/packages relating to specialisms in liaison with line manage to improve client care.
·  To contribute to interagency/multidisciplinary team building and policy development.
·  To be aware of, adhere to, and implement service and team plans and policies.
·  To use highly specialist knowledge to inform service/policy developments as appropriate.
·  To assume delegated tasks requested by line manager and to undertake additional clinical duties deemed appropriate by line manager.
·  To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries.
·  To work within defined departmental, and RCSLT protocols, policies and codes of conduct.
·  To actively participate in appraisal system
·  To identify own training needs.
·  To keep up to date with new techniques and Special Interest Groups (where appropriate)
and relevant training and development, in order to maintain skills and knowledge required of a highly specialist SLT.
·  To maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration.
·  To be part of the multidisciplinary team responsible for the assessment and diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder across all age ranges.
·  To advise Speech and Language Therapy colleagues on specialist technology.
7.  DECISIONS & JUDGEMENTS
·  Managing and prioritising a complex and highly specialist caseload independently.
·  Making a differential diagnosis on basis of evidence from assessment.
·  Making highly specialist clinical decisions following assessment of complex cases.
·  Managing and prioritising workload and employing a waiting list system when necessary.
·  Reflecting on practice with peers and identifying own strengths and development needs.
·  Developing the ability to target training appropriately to the needs of recipients, and
reflect on and evaluate training provided.
·  Adapt practice to meet individual client’s circumstances.
·  To reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of a client’s communication and to identify appropriate strategies and facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.
8.  ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
The Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist will agree key objectives and priorities, will review performance and support professional development.
·  The post holder will have responsibility for managing and prioritising a complex and highly specialist caseload on a day to day basis.
·  To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice and peas and Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapy.
·  To engage in annual development review providing appropriate evidence.
9.  COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
·  Required to employ excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
·  Required to communicate information about day to day client management and therapy to carers, to other professionals within the multidisciplinary team, ensuring a well
co-ordinated care plan.
·  Required to train carers and other professionals, both formally and informally, in SLT techniques and theoretical background.
·  Required to write highly specialist reports for purposes of therapeutic management, information giving and contributing to the multidisciplinary care of clients.
·  Required to communicate complex condition related information from assessment to
clients, carers, families, and multidisciplinary team members.
·  Required to work closely with clients and families agreeing decision making relevant to client management.
·  Required to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers, families and colleagues ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding
exist.
·  Required to employ counselling skills with carers and clients with highly complex needs.
·  Required to maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of clients and carers in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the communication and/or eating and drinking difficulties and implications of the same.
·  Required to demonstrate negotiation skills in motivating clients and/or carers to engage in therapeutic process.
·  Required to deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.
·  Required to use a range of methods of communication, e.g. signing, symbols,
Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
·  To recognise potential breakdown or conflict when it occurs and seek to resolve it.
·  To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties.
10. MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE JOB
·  Time constraints of managing a highly complex caseload.
·  Highly complex nature of individual cases.
·  Maintenance and development of highly specialist skills whilst working in a remote and
rural setting.
·  Variety and complexity of different client conditions.
·  Keeping up to date with new techniques and developments, and technology.
·  Ensuring delivery of best possible service within confines of work time, diverse caseload, school times, and clients’ health issues.
11. SYSTEMS/EQUIPMENT
Systems
·  Knowledge of referral, take on and discharge procedures
·  To keep up to date client records in line with RCSLT professional standards and local policies
·  Ability to refer to other agencies
·  Participation in appraisal system
·  To provide accurate statistical information as requested within the required time frame.
·  To have thorough knowledge of systems and procedures for assessment and diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorders and compilation of Individual Education Plans and
Coordinated Support Plans.
Equipment
·  Knowledge of and ability to use a broad range of communication and paediatric dysphagia assessments
·  Knowledge of and ability to use therapy equipment, including specialist equipment for paediatric dysphagia
·  Knowledge of and ability to use high and low tech Alternative and Augmentative Communication equipment
·  Knowledge of and ability to use switches
·  Knowledge of and ability to use computer, VDU and relevant programmes, e.g.
Boardmaker, Clicker 5.
·  Knowledge of mobility aids
·  To design and create specialist materials as required
12. QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE SPECIFIED FOR THE POST
·  SLT Degree/Diploma
·  HCPC Licence to practice
·  Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
·  Membership of Special Interest Groups in relevant specialisms
·  Evidence of completion of specialist short courses up to Masters Degree level equivalent, e.g. training in paediatric Dysphagia, Makaton, PECS, TEACCH, ASD and other relevant subjects
·  At least 3 years post qualification experience
·  Excellent analytical, presentation and organisational skills
·  Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy
·  Highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
·  Well developed concentration skills
·  Ability to be an excellent team member and assume leadership responsibilities
·  Well established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools and appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to specialisms.
·  Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to specialist client group.
·  Understanding of roles of other professionals relevant to client group.
·  Understanding of principles of clinical governance/audit.
·  Working knowledge of range of disabilities (eg syndromes) that may affect diverse client group, and how these relate to communication and barriers to communication.
13. PHYSICAL EFFORT & SKILLS
·  Required to demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients.
·  Physical handling of clients with disabilities, and handling and moving equipment necessary
for the job with regard to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies, and safe positioning of self and others.
·  Ability to manage children 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 relating to client contact as they arise, for example exposure to bodily fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a regular basis.
·  To employ appropriate strategies to manage aggressive behaviour within the workplace.
·  To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines, and frequent interruptions.
·  Maintaining intense concentration in all aspects of patient management for prolonged periods. In particular to monitor auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of client’s communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived client needs.
·  Driving skills.
·  Extensive travelling throughout county, including air and ferry travel.
·  Ability to transport materials and equipment necessary for individual clients on a regular
basis.
·  Ability to use manual signing (eg Makaton).
14. MENTAL EFFORT
·  To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of client management for prolonged periods. In particular to monitor auditory, visual, kinsaethetic aspects of client’s communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived client needs.
·  To be flexible in the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.
·  To maintain intense concentration on all aspects of parent/carer interactions with clients in particular to auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of interactions, encouraging adaptive strategies to maximise effective communication.
15. EMOTIONAL EFFORT
·  To maintain sensitivity at all times to be emotional needs and expectations of clients and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding diagnosis and prognosis.
·  To deal with clients with severely challenging behaviour.

15. WORKING CONDITIONS

·  To work within infection control and safety guidelines in order to deal with unpleasant conditions related to client contact, e.g. exposure to body fluids, head lice.

·  To manage occasional aggressive behaviour.

·  To occasionally travel on ferry/planes in unpredictable weather.

16. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
A separate job description will need to be signed off by each jobholder to whom the job description applies.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Head of Department Signature: / Date:
Date:

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: / Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Department: / Speech and Language Therapy
Location: / Balfour Hospital
FACTOR / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS
TRAINING
REGISTRATIONS
RESEARCH
PUBLICATIONS / Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy.
Registered member of HCPC
Evidence of completion of specialist short courses up to Masters degree level, e.g. PECS, TEACCH, ADOS. / Registered member of RCSLT
EXPERIENCE / Three years post qualification experience
Experience with ASN , AAC and Paediatric Dysphagia / Post graduate qualification in dysphagia.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS / Excellent analytical, presentation and organisational skills
Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy
Highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills
Well developed concentration skills
Ability to be an excellent team member and assume leadership responsibilities
Well established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools and appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to specialisms.
Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to specialist client group.
Understanding of roles of other professionals relevant to client group.
Understanding of principles of clinical governance/audit.
Working knowledge of range of disabilities (eg syndromes) that may affect diverse client group, and how these relate to communication and barriers to communication.
PERSONAL QUALITIES/OTHER / Enthusiastic
Friendly approachable manner
Confident and assertive
Excellent team member
Ability to assume leadership responsibilities.
Car driver