Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

1.     To carry a personal caseload and/or contribute to MDT therapy packages such as group therapy sessions or parent education sessions, maintaining a high level of professional competence and demonstrating specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of speech, language and communication problems associated with complex needs. 

2.     To monitor and review the progress of CYP on the caseload and facilitate the development or modification of packages of care/targets as appropriate using evaluation/outcome measurement tools.

3.     To work effectively as part of the MDT with clients, carers, and colleagues around individual case management; providing specialist advice, guidance and support as necessary and involving them in the planning and prioritisation of care wherever possible.

4.     To reflect on clinical practice; adequately identifying strengths & needs of clients, reviewing their response to therapy and providing evidence of expert clinical judgement including in cases which are complex and challenging.

5.     To have completed additional training around the needs of CYP with dysphagia and to have at least one year experience of assessment/treatment of CYP with eating and drinking difficulties in order to communicate and deliver a highly effective service to CYP with complex needs. 

6.     To be able to analyse conflicting information and provide clear guidance and detailed reports on children seen.

7.     To promote awareness about speech and language therapy in Camden.

8.     To facilitate and support specialist provisions and families in providing appropriate communication environments to develop CYP’s language and interaction skills.

9.     To demonstrate specialist knowledge and clinical effectiveness underpinned by current evidence based practice and outcome measures.

10.  To make appropriate specialist clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases, including differential diagnoses.

11.  To work closely with clients, carers and families, with empathy, tact, reassurance and active listening to fully discuss assessment results, treatment options, and agree a plan of management.

12.  To communicate complex information to carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist.

13.  To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of neurodivergent CYP with complex needs and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the client’s difficulties and implications of the same.

14.  To undertake home visits, as necessary, in compliance with Home Visiting/ Lone Working Safety Policy.

15.  To contribute to clinical teams by discussing own and others input, ensuring a well-co-ordinated care plan that reflects the holistic needs of the C/YP and their parents/carers.

16.  To discuss diagnosis and potential outcomes with parents/carers and work collaboratively in decision making regarding referral on and intervention.

17.  To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.

18.  To demonstrate excellent communication skills.

19.  To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and /or carers to engage in the therapeutic process.

20.  To employ counselling skills with CYP, carers/families with highly complex needs.

21.  To liaise regularly with Senior Management within the Complex Needs Teams and with the MDT team to agree and review effective service delivery to CYP with complex needs. 

22.  To be aware of legal requirements relating to the provision of a speech and language therapy service.

23.  To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge, ensuring that they meet departmental standards and are in line with local Trust Policy, and RCSLT professional standards.

24.  To demonstrate knowledge of current policies and practice in the education and health sector and incorporate these into the model of working as appropriate.

25.  To attend further training as necessary to maintain and further develop the skill and knowledge required of a specialist SLT.

26.  To keep up to date with current clinical developments through reading, attendance at courses, meetings and Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs).

27.  To provide training to SLTs developing a specialism in Complex Needs and those working with some C/YP with complex additional needs on their caseload.

28.  To manage and prioritise a specialist caseload, advising line manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc.

29.  To contribute to multi-agency assessment procedures as required, including statutory educational assessment.

30.  To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues and situations, recognising and resolving potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs.

31.  To ensure that CYP are referred to other services as appropriate.

32.  To demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the issues associated with clinical governance and their application to professional practice.  This will include compliance with / adherence to, and implementation of service, service area and Trust policies, National and Local guidelines and RCSLT Professional and Clinical and Guidelines.

33.  To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks.

34.  To contribute to the local Trust’s systems of clinical governance, developing innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness in collaboration with others.

35.  To be accountable for professional action and recognising professional boundaries, and working within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.

36.  To work independently accessing appraisal within a Professional Development Plan (PDP) at pre-determined intervals.

37.  To have due regard for personal safety and that of CYP /carers, adhering to moving and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensure the safe positioning of self and others. 

38.  To reflect and adhere to infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal with specific issues related to client contact: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a daily basis.

39.  To provide advice and second opinions to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within clinical field, regarding the management and care of CYP with complex needs.

40.  To provide support and advice to less experienced speech and language therapists, and/or Therapy Assistants and volunteers.

41.  To assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including participation in working groups, policy development groups related to clinical specialism.

42.  To carry out administrative duties including activity data collection, updating this accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines.

43.  To maintain up to date records of annual leave and other absence.

44.  To participate in the clinical education of students, undertaking assessment of the placement as appropriate, and attending teaching sessions and meetings organised by the education establishments.    

45.  To initiate and undertake Research/Clinical Governance /audit projects within area of expertise.

46.  To be able to be flexible within the service for Whittington Children’s Speech and Language Service and as required by the Speech and Language Therapy Services Manager, this may include a change in workplace.