To demonstrate a well-developed knowledge of paediatric therapy for both eating and drinking and communication skills, underpinned by current evidence based practice. To work within a specialist and highly complex clinical caseload as an autonomous practitioner. To develop the ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness. To use and demonstrate specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for complex case management and advise others on the same. To make appropriate differential diagnoses and highly specialist clinical decisions based on assessment findings. To develop clear care plans based on best practice and to update these according to departmental standards To write reports reflecting specialist knowledge according to departmental standards. To provide appropriate specialist intervention based on evidence-based practice and to evaluate therapy using outcome measures. To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management. To assess, and be highly skilled in communicating sensitive, complex condition related information to patients, carers, families and members of the MDT/other professions To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct To participate in student placements as appropriate To adapt practice to meet individual patient/client circumstances To provide mentoring to more junior Speech and Language Therapists To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to visitors, students and volunteers. To assist in the support of students from other professional groups as appropriate. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines Education and Development Responsibility own as well as the development of others To offer support and supervision as needed to SLTs within the team. To be aware of changing trends in treatment and promote Evidence Based Practice within own specialist area of work in order to provide the highest standard of care to service users. To ensure the packages of care offered by the department reflect these standards. To participate in clinical audit, service development activities and research programmes as required. To contribute to formulating policies for specialist area and proposals for general service changes. To demonstrate own willingness to learn. To be actively involved in own supervision, peer support and relevant specialist section support groups. Clinical Governance To ensure that statistics and notes are kept in accordance with local and national policies. To work in accordance with the Standards and Policies issued by the RCSLT, HCPC, the Trust and the SLT Department and to meet legal requirements. To keep up to date with clinical developments and changing trends in practice, including National Service Frameworks and Clinical Excellence Networks. To be responsible for the safe use of equipment by other staff and outside agencies. To be involved in monitoring and evaluation of SLT intervention as part of the multidisciplinary service and to liaise as necessary with other departments/ disciplines and with the wider SLT service. To undertake specific projects as necessary. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HEALTH & SAFETYThe post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude towards these duties, which may have to vary subject to the needs of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and in keeping with the general profile of the post. The job description does not form part of the contract of employment. TERMS AND CONDITIONS TITLE: Speech and Language Therapist GRADE: Band 6/7 HOURS: 15 hours per week ANNUAL LEAVE: 27 days per annual leave year plus up to 8 Bank Holidays pro-rata NOTICE PERIOD: 2 months NON-SMOKING As part of the Oxford University Hospitals promotion of good health, all sites are NO SMOKING premises. Hopefully, if you are a smoker, you will see that the Oxford University Hospitals is acting in the overall interests of its employees health and you will not be deterred from applying for any post, which interests you. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH All appointments are subject to satisfactory health screening by our Occupational Health Service. Any candidate invited for interview who is not already employed within the Trust must complete a pre-employment questionnaire and the Occupational Health Physician may require a further medical examination. HEALTH AND SAFETY It is the duty of every employee to work in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will therefore refer any matters of concern through their respective line managers. Similarly it is each persons responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their managers. STANDARD OF BUSINESS CONDUCT All staff working at the Oxford University Hospitals are subject to the regulations which prohibit NHS staff from: (a) Soliciting gifts or hospitality from any organisations, firms or individuals with whom they are brought into contact in the course of their work, and (b) Having private interests, this may conflict with their NHS duties. SICK LEAVE Initially one month full pay and (after completing four months service) two months half pay, rising to a maximum of 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay after completing 5 years service. Successful applications transferring from one NHS employer to another may be able to transfer their earned entitlement to sick pay and annual leave. A contract of employment is based on the terms and conditions of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital. PERSON SPECIFICATION JOB TITLE: Speech and Language Therapist GRADE: Band 6/7 DEPARTMENT: Specialist Surgery Attainments Essential Desirable Educational Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent Health Professions Council Licence to Practice Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists MSc or other recognized long post graduate course linked to specialism Counselling qualification Evidence of training as clinical supervisor Dysphagia experience (generalizable skills from adult practice will be considered) Occupational Evidence of a minimum of four years in depth experience in specialist clinical area (may be a clinical area with transferable skills) Evidence of high level of specialist knowledge/skills as a result of experience/CPD Demonstrates excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Able to organise work load and manage time Able to prioritise work load clinical and non-clinical Demonstrates ability to be a good team member and assume leadership responsibilities Demonstrates knowledge of specialist SLT assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group Demonstrates knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to specialist client group Demonstrates in depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits Demonstrates in depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit Demonstrates awareness of the roles of other professionals Demonstrates awareness of standards of record keeping Able to maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management Able to manage emotional consequences of working with patients with a range of communication disorders Able to identify own strengths and needs Able to identify when to seek support Demonstrates the ability to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor Demonstrates adequate flexibility to meet the demands of an unpredictable workload Experience in delivering paediatric speech and language assessment and intervention; Experience working with specialist client group (craniofacial); Experience with clinical audit; Experience in paediatric dysphagia. Personal Qualities Demonstrates highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills Demonstrates well developed concentration skills Excellent interpersonal skills Able to listen well and counsel patients and carers, Able to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues Able to communicate effectively particularly where barriers to understanding exist Demonstrate developing motivational skills