Key Responsibilities To be responsible for prioritisation, assessment, diagnosis, and development of specialised treatment programmes and discharge for personal/shared caseload for inpatients, with access to second opinions from highly specialist or Professional Lead SLT as required. To independently manage personal caseload with complex speech, language, communication and swallowing (dysphagia) difficulties with reference to theory, published research and evidence, and agreed best practice. To prioritise and respond to medical and other referrals in line with departmental guidelines and exercising professional judgement based on extended clinical experience. To assess and support patient with a tracheostomy and inform management and weaning programmes as a member of the MDT. Formal Assessments To undertake a range of formal and informal assessments, including risk analysis of swallowing, understanding and use of voice, grammar, vocabulary, speech sounds, fluency, social use of language, carer/patient interaction, and non-verbal communication and to make judgements re normal and abnormal functioning. To make judgements about suitability referral of patients for videofluoroscopy (X ray) examination, taking into account the risks and benefits of the procedure. To participate in the examination with radiology colleagues and to jointly interpret results in order plan appropriate SLT treatment. To understand when Fibreoptic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES) may be appropriate and to refer accordingly. To participate in these examinations and their interpretation as required. Patient Safety and Management To be responsible for ensuring patients safety with regard to eating and drinking by assessing, monitoring and updating, and communicating details of safe practice to the patient, medical and ward staff, and carers, ensuring that recommendations are clearly documented in medical notes and at the bedside. To identify, collect, analyse, and interpret complex case related information and data from patients, carers and other relevant sources in order to reach an accurate diagnosis. To reach differential diagnoses on the basis of assimilated evidence from formal and informal assessments including psychological factors and with reference to normal and abnormal criterion and research evidence. Communication and Professional Development To use highly developed communication and counselling skills such as reflective listening, open questioning, empathy, and reassurance when explaining highly complex and sensitive information to patients and carers. To demonstrate empathy and reassurance when providing patients and carers with unwelcome information that has long-term implications for lifestyle and employment. To monitor, recognise, assess and evaluate subtle changes in patients conditions and adapt assessment and treatment programmes accordingly based on extended clinical experience. To maintain registration with the Health Professions Council and develop deeper and more specialist professional expertise and clinical skills. Governance and Compliance To contribute to local policy and service development through the clinical governance process. To maintain professional and service standards with adherence to local and national guidelines and clinical governance, including confidentiality. To comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.