Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To carry out specified observation (auditory and visual) and information gathering to contribute to the SLTs’ assessment.
2. To promote key messages about early communication development to parents/carers within a range of venues and stay and play sessions.
3. To devise (when appropriate), implement and carry out or model therapeutic interventions which have been set by the SLT with patients with targeted communication needs.
4. To demonstrate input to early years settings and parents / carers.
5. To independently provide training and follow up support for Early Years Settings and wider colleagues on communication and language interventions.
6. To design, prepare and organise therapy activities, resources, training materials and equipment for own or others’ therapy, within the programme agreed by the supervising SLT.
7. To plan a timetable of activities for therapy sessions.
8. To use own initiative within sessions and to work independently and unsupervised when appropriate.
9. To recognise appropriate opportunities to independently extend advice and strategies for patients and recognise when to refer patients back to the SLT for this advice.
10.  To recognise potential conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support from your supervisor or line manager to find a resolution.
11. To form productive working relationships with service users who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties and to motivate them to engage in work programmes.
12. To contribute to overall caseload management by updating waiting lists appropriately with and without
13. To provide mentoring and support to colleagues as required.
14. To complete case notes, collaborative working documents and other record keeping requirements following clinical sessions, liaison meetings and patient contacts.
15. To deal with queries and questions received by email or phone from parents/carers or professionals.
16. To support the administrative work of the Speech and Language Therapy service and initiate appropriate administrative tasks when required.

Communication

1. To provide direct feedback to patients, parents / carer, other professionals on the sessions carried out.
2. To liaise with other professionals, support staff, parents / carers, ensuring that they understand the therapy approach or programme of work, under indirect supervision by a therapist or Senior Support Practitioner.
3. To be sensitive and communicate respectfully and effectively, particularly where difficulties in understanding exist.
4. To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff, which are characterised by open communication, trust and respect.
5. Key Relationships:

Internal 

1. Speech and Language Therapists
2. Support Practitioners
3. SPA and Trust Administrators

External -       

1. Patients– Children 0-5 years of age
2. Parents / Carers
3. Education Services
4. Family Hub and Flying Start Staff
5.  Early Years Practitioners
6. 0-19 Team (Health Visitors / School Nurses)
7. Referrers
8. Other Health Services (e.g. Paediatricians / Occupational Therapy)

6. To attend and contribute as appropriate to Locality Meetings, Clinical Forums and Paediatric service meetings and other professional and / or relevant meetings.

Budgetary Responsibility

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

People Management

1. Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and
   KSF process.
2. To attend relevant training and development in order to further develop skills in
   implementing and knowledge of Speech and Language Therapy approaches and
   programmes.
3. To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision in order to develop and enhance
   practice.

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. Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed, or transferred
   electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and
   Information Security policies.
3. The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.
4. The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.
5. Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by
   Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.
6. The post holder much participate in clinical and safeguarding audits as required.
7. The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.
8. The post involves working with small children – frequent requirement for sitting on child -
   size chairs or on the floor in a restricted position.
9. To apply skills in physically working with patients with disabilities with support.
10. To transport equipment required for sessions or training, to a variety of locations.
11. To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns and
    sudden change in patient need.
12. To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with special needs,
    learning disabilities and / or communication difficulties and their carers.
13. To demonstrate standard keyboard skills and use IT effectively to extend and complete
    programmes and activities.
14. To have the ability to travel by car throughout Luton and / or Bedfordshire when required,
    including a full driving licence and access to own transport (unless you have a disability as
    defined by the Equality Act 2010).