Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

·       Provide SLT input across different specialities and settings: stroke, inpatient neurorehabilitation and older adults’ services.

·       Manage a complex caseload of patients with including those with profound neurological impairments, cognitive impairments, and patients in a Prolonged Disorder of Consciousness (PDoC) and/or with tracheostomy. Demonstrate an awareness of and ability to seek support and advice from senior members of the team when required.

·       Provide timely, thorough and robust assessment of patients’ communication and swallowing needs in a manner that is patient-centred and alongside other members of the MDT.

·       Form appropriate hypotheses about the nature of a patients’ condition and make differential diagnoses to support multidisciplinary management.

·       Support patients and families (where able) to set achievable and realistic goals, dealing sensitively with issues that may arise whilst doing so.

·       Structure clear, patient-based therapy plans based on best practice and adapted to individual clients’ goals and priorities.

·       Demonstrate awareness of, and an ability to manage, risks associated with complex dysphagia, including those dealing with issues of mortality, morbidity and involving ethical dilemma.

·       Deliver a range of therapeutic interventions with an awareness of current evidence-based practice, remaining sensitive to all patients’ personal, social and cultural wishes and needs.

·       Evaluate therapy outcomes independently, using specific outcome measures when appropriate.

·       Work independently with clients whose behaviour may challenge, with awareness of how to manage and diffuse difficult situations.

·       Plan, lead and evaluate group therapy in addition to 1:1 sessions.

·       Work alongside members of the MDT in assessment and management of capacity decisions.

·       Identify need for, and support referral to, specialist clinics including VFS and FEES.

·       To act as keyworker for patients and families on INRU, acting as single point of contact and coordinating interdisciplinary, patient-centred rehabilitation, being mindful of the opportunities and challenges presented in this role.

·       Deliver patient-specific training and education sessions to patients, families and carers.

·       Be aware of relevant external services for signposting and onward referral.

·       Contribute to safe, holistic and proactive discharge planning for all patients.

Professional

·       Establish positive working relationships with members of the MDT across services, wards and sites.

·       Record and maintain up to date clinical case notes in line with professional standards and trust, professional and departmental policies

·       Follow national guidelines and processes for specific patient groups (including SSNAP, UK ROC)

·       Adhere to Trust, departmental and professional policies and procedures.

Organisational / administrative

·       Provide cover for colleagues as required and support reallocation of caseload in the absence of any member of the team

·       Use IT skills to produce customised treatment plans and materials, including low tech AAC

·       Contribute to service development and audit

·       Identify need for, and plan/deliver/evaluate, specific training programmes contributing to staff development

·       Actively participate in team meetings, journal clubs, in-service teaching within SLT and MDT settings.

·       Participate in non-managerial clinical supervision

·       Participate in the appraisal system

·       Act as a student supervisor / assessor under the guidance of the student coordinator and provide observation sessions for others

Management and Leadership Responsibilities.

·       Offer specialist clinical support to less experienced SLTs

·       Supervise junior members of SLT staff, assistants and volunteers

·       Develop and empower all members of the team to perform to high standards and innovate.

·       Ensure supportive staff management arrangements are in place and carry out personal development reviews for direct reports.  Ensure all staff have annual PDR’s resulting in specific objectives and effective personal development plans in line with the Knowledge and Skills Outline Framework.

·       Develop staff knowledge and skills to promote equality and diversity and address inequalities both in employment and service delivery.  Ensure specific equality objective are included in PDR’s.

·       Develop a culture that ensure that the standards of Improving Working Lives and Investors in People are achieved and maintained for all staff and that staff’s perception about their working lives are measured and improvements made.