Deaf Clinical Communication Specialist
Part time
Medium Secure
Location: Northampton
We are St Andrew's, a mental health charity dedicated to inspiring hope for those living with complex mental health needs.
We aim for a future with less stigma, more community support, and increased research and education. Our goal is to ensure that everyone with complex mental health needs is heard, valued, and hopeful for their future.
The Role:
As Deaf Clinical Communications Specialist, you will act as an expert in communication for deaf patients and colleagues across St Andrew's. You will work with clinical staff and teams to support communication access within the deaf services, focusing on cultural awareness and maintaining standards of communication support.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Work collaboratively with clinical teams to ensure deaf patients understand their care plans and have access to clinical information.
2. Lead therapeutic interventions for deaf patients that meet their individual communication and cultural needs.
3. Act as a key member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), contributing to the daily operations of the ward.
4. Participate in multidisciplinary risk assessments and management based on high-quality Structured Professional Judgement Risk Assessments (SPJ).
5. Promote a positive deaf culture among clinical teams, interpreters, and patients.
6. Serve as a resource for patients and staff, providing examples of effective communication practices.
7. Monitor and contribute to the ward clinical model, ensuring its appropriateness for a specialist deaf service.
8. Lead the integration of quality governance systems within the ward.
9. Ensure staff in the Deaf Service receive deaf awareness and cultural training, including BSL level 1.
10. Stay updated on curriculum development and best practices for BSL and deaf awareness training.
11. Review the St. Andrew's deaf service to identify and address concerns or poor experiences.
12. Support interpreters in the deaf service, ensuring their contributions are valued.
13. Monitor the quality of interpreting services to meet the needs of patients and staff.
14. Identify opportunities to grow the interpreter pool for St Andrew's.
15. Engage in professional development through training opportunities and personal study.
16. Collaborate with other organizations to maintain networks within the Deaf community and Deaf mental health services.
Your Profile:
1. Relevant BSL teaching qualification with the ability to teach to a minimum of BSL Level 2.
2. Understanding of the Social and Medical models of Deafness.
3. Experience working within services supporting Deaf people.
4. Lived experience of Deaf culture.
5. Experience assessing communication in deaf individuals, including those with significant language deprivation.
6. Experience adapting communication for deaf individuals, including those with significant language deprivation.
7. Ability to develop rapport with deaf patients, including those with significant language deprivation and forensic histories.
8. Ability to describe and report on communication needs of deaf patients.
9. Understanding of resources available to support communication for deaf individuals.
What's in it for you?
We offer an excellent benefits package including Pension; Sickness policy on par with the NHS; Access to the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts schemes; 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays); Electric Car lease scheme; Cycle to work scheme; Healthcare cash plan; Free parking; Paid DBS application; Access to further qualifications including an Executive MBA Programme and Coaching and Mentoring Qualifications. On-site facilities include gym and swimming pool access and cafés, all set within beautiful grounds.
Interested?
Please apply or contact Samantha Pendry at slpendry@stah.org.
Please note we are unable to provide a certificate of sponsorship for this role.
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