Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Purpose: 

The post holder will work as part of an established Multi-disciplinary team of Community Paediatricians, Specialist nurses, Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals working as part of the Neurodevelopmental (ND) diagnostic and support team in Bedfordshire. 

The post holder will participate in the assessment and review of children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Working in partnership with Community Paediatricians and other professionals within MDT to ensure an effective pathway, inclusive of wider community support. In addition, the post holder will contribute to the development and ongoing review of care pathways, policies, audits of service outcomes and develop waiting list initiatives to achieve agreed targets

The role will involve leading on diagnostic ND assessments/observations and delivering feedback to families on the outcome of the assessment. They will support the ND pathways across Luton and Bedfordshire and deliver as part of the ND support offer.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Work as part of the Multidisciplinary Team at the Child Development Centre to identify and address the needs of children being assessed as part of the Team’s ASD Pathway.
2. Utilise up to date and evidence-based assessment techniques and tools, assessing information from education providers and parents/carers alongside observation of the young person. This may include specialist assessments in clinic, and observations in educational settings.
3. Discuss and agree assessment outcomes with patients, carers and other health care professionals, promoting health education and self-management.
4. To use good interpersonal skills to listen well and counsel patients and carers, so providing support and empathy without prejudice.
5. Take students on placement for clinical teaching and supervision, including exam placement.

Communication 

Internal: 
o    Speech & Language therapy colleagues
o    Community paediatric team
o    Health Visiting Teams
o    School Nurses
o    Paediatric medical staff
o    Administrative staff.
External: 
o    Education staff, including special educational needs
o    co-ordinator and educational psychologist
o    Staff at children’s assessment centre.
o    Social care
o    Parents / Carers

Budgetary Responsibility 

Does not hold budgetary responsibility but is aware of the need to plan non-pay expenditure.

People Management

1. To offer clinical supervision to colleagues within the community paediatric team.
2. To provide student placements, including assessment of the placements as appropriate
3. To provide second opinions to less experienced colleagues, and expert opinions to others, especially in relation to differential diagnosis of DLD.
4. To facilitate the development of others’ problem solving/negotiation skills within peer review/support.
5. Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and clinical and management supervision.
6. To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework pre-determined intervals ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust. Plans, including specific objectives relating to the clinical specialism.

Research & Development Activity 

1. To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan
2. To attend relevant training (courses, meetings, special interest groups) and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required for the role.
3. Maintain up to date professional registration HCPC and RCSLT
4. To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision with peers/clinical supervisor to develop and enhance practice.
5. To develop and deliver regular specialist training (formal and informal) to the ND team and related professional groups in area of clinical expertise, reflecting on and evaluating the training provided.
6. To participate in and provide joint training with members of the Education Services and of the MDT Team in the field of ASD and other communication difficulties as required.
7. To identify the training needs linked to specialty for wider service.
8. To provide advice to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within clinical field.
9. To participate in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standard setting and clinical effectiveness.
10. To initiate and undertake Research/Clinical Governance/audit projects within area of expertise.

Clinical and Practice Governance

1. Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to 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. It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration.
6. Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services, NHS Trust.
7. The post holder must participate in clinical and safeguarding audits as required.
8. Provide patients and their families /carers with information on standards they should expect from the team.
9. The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.
10. To provide leadership within appropriate specialist area
11. To employ counselling skills with patients, carers with highly complex needs.
12. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures
13. To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate.
14. To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff, which are characterised by open communication, trust and respect.
15. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.
16. To use negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations
17. To attend and participate in professional meetings and other relevant meetings.
18. To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.