Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Planning and organisational tasks / duties

1.    To plan effectively the daily management of a caseload of patients by prioritising clinical work, responding to urgent referrals and occasionally unpredictable work patterns.

2.    To be able to prioritise clinical work and managerial work, and balance other patient related and professional activities as the department requires.

Patient Care Responsibilities

1.    To undertake specialist assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multipathologies and to assess patients jointly with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

2.    To use sound clinical reasoning skills, assessment techniques and diagnostic procedures to assess and develop treatment programmes.

3.    To devise individualized Speech and Language therapy management and / or treatment plans, using a range of treatment/ management options, to include patient education.

4.    To formulate accurate prognoses and recommend best course of intervention, developing comprehensive, timely discharge plans, liaising with ESD and community rehabilitation teams.

5.    To evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes if required.

6.    To evaluate the outcomes of your interventions.

Communication / Relationship Skills 

1.    To communicate effectively with all disciplines involved in a patient’s care, both those from within the organisation and those outside, to ensure effective multidisciplinary working. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.

2.    To communicate complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff including imparting unwelcome news relating to their rehabilitation potential and gaining consent for treatment.

3.    To communicate any changes in care plan or treatment approach to the multi disciplinary team as necessary.

4.    To ensure timely and effective communication with the Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist and senior staff on all professional matters.

5.    To maintain accurate records in line with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy standards and Trust and service standards and policies.

6.    To attend relevant board rounds, meetings and case conferences as appropriate in order to ensure appropriate management and effective and timely discharge of patients.

7.    To attend staff meetings and actively participate ensuring understanding of information imparted.

8.    Assess patients understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

9.    To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients in order to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This may include patients who will have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g. patients who may be deaf, blind, or be unable to accept diagnosis or presenting condition or who have cognitive and behavioural problems.

10.  To appreciate cultural differences and take these into account when agreeing treatment plans with patients.

11.  To manage frequently highly stressful conditions

12.  To manage patients who maybe occasionally aggressive or confused.

13.  To be able to manage potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner

Analytical / Judgmental Skills

1.    To undertake comprehensive assessments of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/ multipathologies.

2.    To use investigative and analytical skills to assess complex patients and support other more junior Speech and Language therapy staff with their patients as required.

3.    To devise individualised Speech and Language Therapy management and / or treatment plans, using clinical reasoning skills.

4.    To keep up to date with developments, analysing current research and discussing and implementing changes to your clinical practice.

Personal and people development

1.    To work as part of the Speech and Language Therapy team and Multi disciplinary team to provide an efficient and effective service.

2.    To supervise junior Speech and Language Therapy staff where appropriate or therapy assistants.

3.    To evaluate own and other’s practice and identify own and other’s development needs.

4.    To participate in the appraisal scheme as an appraisee and appraiser.

5.    Participate in the supervision of students.

6.    Deputise for the team leader when required.

7.    To provide training of junior staff, students, or assistants/technicians, other therapists, nursing staff and care workers within the clinical area.

8.    To ensure professional competence is maintained by participating in all CPD opportunities and maintaining a portfolio.

9.    To participate in training sessions as a recipient and facilitator.

10.  To disseminate any training received to other staff and health care professionals.

11.  To be responsible for and actively record your own personal development. This may include active participation in journal clubs, clinical reasoning and joint problem patient sessions.