Senior Speech & Language Therapist - Community
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
To provide specialist speech and language therapy assessments and therapeutic interventions to children, adolescents, and their families who have been referred and accepted for getting help, getting more help, and getting risk support as identified in the I-Thrive model. This role involves working with more junior clinicians, providing supervision and clinical oversight, and assisting with the coordination of the clinic caseload.
Main duties of the job
* Manage a caseload of children and young people with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN) using evidence-based practice to assess, plan, formulate, implement, and evaluate interventions in a variety of settings (individually and/or in groups and as part of a multidisciplinary team).
* Provide clinical support and supervision to less experienced SLTs in the team.
* Work with the Clinical Team Manager to coordinate the clinic and oversee day-to-day caseload management.
* Participate in student placements.
* Coordinate team audits and monitor outcomes for interventions, reporting to locality lead.
* Ensure clinical effectiveness through a strengths-based approach and the use of evidence-based interventions.
* Promote and support participation of service users across the service.
* Participate in clinical audits and research as appropriate.
About us
Our speech and language therapists work across several community-based clinical pathways, including Speech Language and Communication, Neurodiversity, and Early Childhood Development. We provide regular supervision, training opportunities, and involvement in service development projects.
Job responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationships
* Communicate complex condition-related information from assessments to clients, carers, families, and multidisciplinary team members in an accessible manner.
* Demonstrate empathy with clients, ensuring effective communication, especially in sensitive situations.
* Form productive relationships with clients under stress or facing challenges.
* Employ good presentation skills to promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
* Write accessible reports reflecting knowledge of paediatrics for both lay and professional audiences.
* Contribute to clinical pathways by discussing client needs and ensuring coordinated care plans.
* Handle initial complaints sensitively to avoid escalation.
* Demonstrate good negotiation skills across various issues.
Planning and Organisation
* Organise and plan own caseload to meet service and patient priorities, adjusting as necessary.
* Supervise and coordinate assistants on a daily basis.
* Supervise Band 5 staff regularly.
Analytical and Judgement
* Demonstrate specialist Speech and Language Therapy knowledge across therapeutic interventions.
* Utilise knowledge and experience for sound clinical judgement in case management.
* Integrate evidence for differential diagnosis and seek advice as appropriate.
Responsibility for Patients and Client Care
* Conduct formal and informal assessments, negotiating functional goals with parents and school staff.
* Use outcome measures collaboratively with service users to inform treatment.
* Work closely with clients and families on decision-making relevant to care management.
* Co-produce clear care plans based on best practices.
* Ensure care plans are understandable for children and families.
* Provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy interventions in various community settings.
* Demonstrate clinical effectiveness through evidence-based practice.
* Maintain confidentiality of documentation and records.
* Promote self-advocacy and act as an advocate for children and families.
* Consider safeguarding and child protection issues, following relevant policies.
* Produce timely reports on children/young people that convey key findings clearly.
* Advise line manager on service delivery issues.
* Maintain accurate case notes in line with professional standards.
Policy and Service Responsibility
* Provide children and young people opportunities to express their views and influence services.
* Assist in implementing local and national guidelines affecting children's services.
* Follow employer policies and professional standards.
* Develop knowledge of relevant procedures, including Child Protection and SEN procedures.
Responsibility for Finance, Equipment, and Resources
* Adhere to financial policies and procedures.
* Maintain equipment and protect confidential information.
* Ensure best value practices and protect service resources.
* Maintain stock control and order supplies timely.
* Ensure safety standards for equipment used.
* Demonstrate proper use of specialist equipment for children.
Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership, and Management
* Contribute to training opportunities using various technologies.
* Supervise Speech and Language Assistants as necessary.
* Conduct appraisals for Speech and Language Therapists.
* Mentor newly qualified therapists as required.
* Access clinical supervision as determined by the organization.
* Oversee caseload management for newly qualified staff.
* Target training to meet course participants' needs.
* Participate in the appraisal process.
* Address staff performance issues promptly.
Information Technology and Administrative Duties
* Input data accurately into relevant systems.
* Maintain contemporaneous case notes in line with standards.
* Demonstrate sound IT knowledge and literacy.
* Follow employer policies and complete mandatory training.
* Identify and manage risks through incident reporting.
* Participate in activities to improve service delivery.
Responsibility for Research and Development
* Participate in clinical audits and research.
* Collect and provide required research data.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
* Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent.
* Full Registration with Health Professions Council.
* Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
* Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups.
* Evidence of completion of specialist postgraduate courses in paediatric communication disorders.
Knowledge and Experience
* Highly developed specialist knowledge for autonomous work.
* Independent management of complex caseloads.
* In-depth knowledge of children with special needs and evidence-based practices.
* Established knowledge of assessment and therapeutic tools.
* Ability to make differential diagnoses and evaluate treatment outcomes.
* Relevant experience at undergraduate/postgraduate level.
* Proven experience managing complex caseloads autonomously.
* Competence in delivering training to staff.
* Experience supervising therapy program implementation.
* Experience leading and organizing services/clinics.
* Experience supervising less experienced therapists.
* Experience in multidisciplinary teams.
* Experience in early years and specialist settings.
Specific Skills
* Able to recognize and resolve conflicts between patients and their families.
* Able to work as part of a team.
* Able to cope under pressure.
* Car owner/driver with a current driving license or access to a car (unless exempt under the Disability Discrimination Act).
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure submission to check for previous convictions.
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Depending on experience per annum pro rata
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