HealthJobsUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To prioritise and manage own caseload independently.

To provide specialist speech and language therapy assessments for clients referred based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including standardised assessment, self-report measures, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care. This involves a high level of preparation, concentration and analytical skills.

To assess and ascribe a level of risk for dysphagic clients.

To formulate and implement management plans for the treatment and/or management of a client’s speech and swallowing disorders, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the client’s difficulties, and employing methods based upon evidence of efficacy.

To assess and ascribe a level of risk using adjuncts to the bedside assessment, which require technical skill e.g. cervical auscultation, pulse oximetry etc.

To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, and intervention for clients under their care to both multidisciplinary teams and other, non-professional carers. This will encompass written documentation (SLT notes, med notes, specialist reports etc).

To agree options in collaboration with all those involved, in order to implement the individual’s management plan which may include any combination of the following:

Therapeutic intervention with adults either individually or in groups.

Therapeutic intervention with carers either individually or in groups.

Directly supporting others in carrying out individual programmes.

Providing advice on specific strategies to employ in the home and other settings.

Negotiation with client or carer in order to identify and monitor SMART goals.

To identify and refer on to other specialists as appropriate (eg. ENT, videofluoroscopy etc).

To use negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations. To negotiate various roles to be taken in order to execute intervention plans effectively.

To maintain sensitivity at all times to emotional needs of client/carer when imparting distressing information.

To use skills in motivating clients and/or carers to engage in the therapeutic process.

To frequently demonstrate empathy sensitivity and understanding with clients, carers and families. To treat them with respect and dignity at all times.

To provide specialist communication assessment and intervention in order to identify and support a client’s ability to manage their own affairs, with an acquired communication difficulty. To work with the multidisciplinary team in order to achieve this.

To regularly communicate highly complex and specialised information to others through written reports and face to face discussion matching communication style and content to the needs of the receiver.

To be involved in the planning for, and the delivery of education programmes for other professionals.

To be aware of Government papers and initiatives relating to Stroke (e.g. RCP Stroke guidelines 2nd Ed, NSF for Older people).

To adapt assessment and intervention to meet individual client’s circumstances, with regards to cultural and linguistic differences. To support and advise the multidisciplinary team in this area.

To interact daily with families and clients who have recently experienced extremely traumatic events and who face an uncertain future.

To engage in regular conversation with clients addressing highly emotive issues, necessitating use of counselling skills to facilitate psychological adjustment to a dramatic change in their self-perception and quality of life.

To provide statistical information on own caseload, including activity and clinical effectiveness measures.

To participate in audit activities in the team, including SSNAP for stroke patients, and participate in audit both in the wider speech and language therapy service, and within multidisciplinary teams.

To participate in research in SLT team, SLT department or multidisciplinary teams.

To utilise theory, evidence –based literature and research to support evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

To provide advice, consultation and training packages for staff working with the client group across a range of agencies and setting, where appropriate.

To provide advice, consultation and support for carers, and other non-professionals.

To assist in the support of students from other professional groups as appropriate.

To provide observation sessions for prospective SLT students.

To participate in clinical training for SLT students, and act as a mentor for Band 5 therapists as required.