Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

To independently identify, assess and diagnose speech, language and communication impairments and select appropriate patients and type of therapy for effective treatment.

To make a differential diagnosis based on evidence from assessment, and design appropriate treatment based on analysis of profile of need seeking advice as appropriate.

Be responsible for delivering specialist speech and language therapy input to school age children and young people of all ages, covering a range of disorders of communication.

To provide training to enable parents and other professionals to support children’s language and communication needs.

Make independent decisions about caseload management, including discharge.

To plan, organise and prioritise own workload, clinical and non-clinical.

To use clinical skills to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management for complex clinical issues.

Gain extensive clinical experience and expertise to improve and further develop specialist skills through training, support and study.

To have appropriate knowledge or an awareness of low tech AAC, for example communication boards.

To have knowledge of and contribute to the EHCP process within the given timescales, including preparing reports with outcomes and targets for the initial report and for annual reviews as required.

To triage new referrals into the service and reject or accept these based on service criteria, including skills in discussing potential referrals with referrers.

To provide second opinions and shadowing opportunities for less experienced colleagues, including within the Language Provision, as required.

To seek out second opinions from more experience colleagues as required.

To make referrals onto specialist services as required, including Health, Education and / or Social Services.

To participate in the development and delivery of training (formal and informal) to others with and without support and reflect on and evaluate training provided.

Independently take students on placements for clinical teaching and supervision, including exam placement.

Undertake supervision and complete appraisals for SLTs and Support Practitioners.

To contribute to the support of newly and recently graduated SLT Staff.

To support and take part in the induction and training of new staff to the service.

Communication

1. To work collaboratively and liaise with a wide range of professions across a variety of locations and agencies
2. To attend and report to case conferences/review meetings etc. for patients on the caseload,
   agreeing/ negotiating management, including the setting of agreed communication targets
3. To attend and participate in professional meetings and other relevant meetings.
4. To present and communicate complex condition-related information in such a manner as to motivate and inform patients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, agreeing decision-making relevant to patient management.
5. To communicate effectively with patients with communication problems where difficulties to understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy
6. To use good interpersonal skills to listen well and counsel patients and carers, so providing support and empathy without prejudice.
7. To use negotiation skills to manage conflict as needed across a range of situations.
8. To deal with initial complaints sensitively and manage patient concerns appropriately.
9. To convey complex information clearly to patients, carers and other professionals both in verbal and written form
10. To use clinical skills to generate written reports reflecting specialist knowledge.
11. To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff which are characterised by open communication, trust and respect
12. To attend and contribute as appropriate to Locality Meetings, Clinical Forums and Paediatric service meetings and other professional and / or relevant meetings.
13. Key Relationship

Internal:          Speech & Language Therapy colleagues
                             0-19 Team (Health Visitors and School Nurses)
                             Allied Health Professionals
                            Paediatric medical staff
                           Administrative staff
External:      Education staff
                          Social Services

Budgetary Responsibility 

1. Does not hold budgetary responsibility but is aware of the need to plan non-pay expenditure.
2. To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.

People Management

1. To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at predetermined intervals ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans,
2. To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan/ Professional Portfolio.
3. To attend relevant training (courses, meetings, CEN’s) and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a therapist working in this field. To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good speech & language therapy practice in paediatrics and maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration.
4. To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision with peers / clinical supervisor in order to develop and enhance practice.

Research & Development Activity 

1. To undertake Clinical Governance /audit projects within local service and Language Provision.
2. To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects.
3. To collect and provide research data as required.
4. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.

Clinical and Practice Governance

1. Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
2. To manage and prioritise a defined caseload and work with an appropriate degree of autonomy and independence.
3. Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies
4. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.
5. The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.
6. The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.
7. It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with HCPC and RCSLT and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration
8. Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.
9. The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required.
10. Participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis.
11. The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.
12. To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.