Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Duties

·         To work within the Adult Speech & Language Therapy Team, developing effective speech and language therapy interventions in order to contribute to clinical practice in the team in line with current evidence base.

·         To manage autonomously a clinical workload of patients / clients, assessing and treating patients and maintaining clinical records.

·         To have assessment and treatment skills in a range of areas as listed but not limited to:

o   Acquired speech & language disorders in adults

o   Swallowing disorders in adults

o   Discharge and transfer of care planning

·         To apply evidence based knowledge within the clinical area acquired through experience and academic study to a post graduate level.

·         To act, within the acute setting, as a resource and provide advice for other therapists, professionals and colleagues within the MDT about the assessment, treatment, management and care of patients / clients who have a multi-pathological illness and/or complex psychosocial need. This will involve working cross site on occasions as required.

·         To work collaboratively with health and social care community and acute colleagues.

·         To work with other members of the MDT to ensure effective care pathways and transfer of care / discharges.

·         To proactively and appropriately facilitate a seamless transfer of care and continuing therapeutic management of in-patients between care settings.

·         To work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary manner within the MDT, being able to debate the blurring of boundaries across professions and where competent take on aspects of blurred boundary working, where appropriate.

·         To develop programmes of assessment, treatment and intervention for in-patients with communication or swallowing problems

·         To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate, working efficiently to manage professional time and delegate according to the training and competency levels of other team members to ensure the effective delivery of the service.

·         To participate in the supervision process with colleagues on a daily basis and for students as required.

·         To ensure a high standard of patient care is provided including implementing and reviewing clinical standards relevant to the work undertaken.

·         To provide assessment and advice for the multidisciplinary team and actively participate in MDT meetings as appropriate.

Professional Duties

·         To comply with and, along with the clinical lead, contribute to the development and implementation of protocols, procedures and guidelines both clinical and service specific. To give feedback on policies when required which may impact on the management and care of our patients.

·         To participate in governance initiatives on a regular basis, measuring and evaluating individual and team’s clinical practice, e.g. CPD, clinical effectiveness, research and development, clinical audit and service activity data.

·         To ensure treatments offered to patients / clients are based on the best available clinical evidence by keeping up to date with current literature, implementing research tools and liaising with other practitioners, both within and outside the service, in order to develop and maintain best practice.

·         To be responsible for the issue and safe use of equipment used in your area of work and to adhere to the appropriate service policies.

·         Along with the Clinical Lead / Team Leader generate and contribute to the collection, analysis and dissemination of data as required for the service, both manually and computerised.

·         To lead, develop and actively undertake clinical audit as requested.

·         On a day to day basis, to support members of the speech and language therapy team and contribute to them successfully meeting their objectives and development needs.

·         To assist the Clinical Lead / Team Leader to manage the performance of the speech & language therapy and assistant staff by having a delegated role in supervision/PDR. 

·         To contribute to the identification, development and evaluation of a training programme to address the needs of the Speech and Language Therapy service and the wider multi professional team as appropriate.

·         To organise and participate in in-service training programmes, under direction, ensuring appropriate training is delivered.

·         To undertake appropriate development opportunities as identified at yearly personal development reviews and through personal development plans.  To incorporate acquired knowledge into working practice as appropriate, following discussion with Clinical Lead / Team Leader.  To disseminate information from training effectively throughout the team, the service and MDT as appropriate.

·         To participate in the supervision process and peer review and maintain an up to date CPD portfolio including evidence of experiential learning, reflective practice and any relevant training or experience.  This should demonstrate responsibility for maintaining own competency to practice.

·         To participate in the Trust Personal Development Review process taking responsibility to comply with an agreed personal development plan.

·         To give advice, teaching and training to patients / clients, carers, volunteers and other health, educational and social care professionals, as appropriate to ensure provision of good patient care.

·         To be responsible for the supervision and education of student Speech and Language Therapy to graduate level in the role of clinical educator following appropriate training.

·         To contribute to the supervision and education of students from other professional groups e.g. Nurses, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists as required.

All employees have a responsibility to:

·         Ensure they work in accordance with all Trust policies and procedures.

·         Ensure they attend induction and regular update training on risk management policies and procedures.

·         Ensure they identify, through risk assessment, any risks they feel exist within their department or in the community during the delivery of their service.

·         Ensure they provide incident reports and supporting documentation for any unexpected event or incident they are involved in.  To work with the Team Leader, assisting them in the management of complaints and incidents

Managerial Duties

·         To contribute to the delivery of the speech & language therapy service within the wider MDT.

·         To provide advice / information to the Clinical Lead/Team Leader to help in the planning and development of the service. 

·         In conjunction with the Team Leader /Clinical Lead, ensure adequate staff cover within the team by agreeing annual leave, study leave, and report sickness absence to the Team Leader.

·         To assist the Team Leader in achieving the service objectives.

·         To actively participate in the professional development programme of the speech & language therapy service.

·         To assist the Clinical Lead / Team Leader in the monitoring of professional, clinical and departmental standards and assist implementation of change as appropriate.

·         To comply with the national, professional, Trust and service policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating process as appropriate.

·         Maintain confidentiality of all patient identifiable information in line with Trust policies relating to the Data Protection Act.

·         Initiate discussions with the Team Leader about any circumstances that could prevent the postholder or other staff fulfilling the requirements of the job description.

Financial Duties

·         There are no financial duties required in this post.

Managing Self

·         Participate in regular supervision.

·         Attend all mandatory training.

·         Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.

·         Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.

·         Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

·         Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary.

·         Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.

·         Ensure maintenance of Professional Registration.

Undertake all such reasonable other duties as may be required as part of the role.