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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

PATIENT/CLIENT CARE

1.    To carry a personal clinical caseload maintaining a high level of professional competence and demonstrate developing clinical expertise in the areas of Deafness.

2.    To assess, differentially diagnose, plan and implement therapy for children with speech, language and/or communication difficulties on own caseload

3.    To demonstrate specialist knowledge in these clinical are of Deafness, underpinned by current evidence based practice and outcome measures.

4.    To work effectively with clients, carers, and colleagues around individual case management; providing advice, guidance and support as necessary and involving them in the planning and prioritisation of care wherever possible.

5.    To reflect on clinical practice; adequately identifying strengths & needs of clients, reviewing their response to therapy and providing evidence of sound clinical judgement.

6.    To monitor and review the progress of children on caseload and facilitate the development or modification of packages of care / targets as appropriate using evaluation/outcome measurement tools.

7.    To adapt practice to meet individual client/carer’s circumstances, taking into account cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

8.    To produce accurate, & detailed reports, therapy programmes, advice and information as necessary in a timely manner.

9.    To respond to the requirements of the 2014 Children and Families Act, by completing written advice for children who may have Special Educational Needs.

10. To support the effective transition of students between schools as appropriate.

11. To liaise and refer children to other Health, Education or Social Services professionals as necessary.

12. To undertake home visits, as necessary, in compliance with Home Visiting Safety Policy.

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS:

• To be able to gather information that may be sensitive or complex and analyse it as part of a full assessment of a client’s strengths and difficulties.

• To work closely with clients and carers using empathy, tact, reassurance and active listening to complete assessments, discuss results, and agree treatment options.

• To routinely be able to adapt communication mode during assessment and intervention to ensure there are no barriers to communication. This includes the use of BSL, sign, symbols or other alternative and augmentation strategies with clients/carers, as well as the use of interpreters for clients and carers who are sign language users, or those who do not have English as a first language.

• To develop skills in motivating clients/carers to engage in the therapeutic process.

• To negotiate and manage conflict effectively in a range of settings, with support and supervision from line manager.

• To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.

• To form effective therapeutic relationships with clients and/or carers who may be under stress and/or having challenging behaviour.

• To provide training to a variety of audiences on aspects of speech and language therapy.

• KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE:

• To demonstrate developing specialist knowledge in Deafness, underpinned by current evidenced based practice, maintained through specialist courses and self-study.
• To identify own training needs as part of the Professional Development Review in discussion with the Lead Therapist for The School and to attend training as agreed.
• To keep up to date with current clinical developments through reading, attendance at courses, meetings, Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs) and RCSLT Hubs.
• To develop and deliver specialist training (informal and formal) to education staff, parents/carers and other professionals.
• To be aware of school routines, policies and procedures.
• To maintain up to date professional registration with HPC and RCSLT at all times.
• To participate in Peer Support Groups.

• ANALYTICAL & JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS:

• To be able to gather and analyse all information, including observation and formal assessment results, in order to identify the most appropriate intervention.
• To make appropriate differential diagnoses and specialist clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases
• To adapt intervention as necessary according to individual need, progress and ability.
• To seek second opinions from more senior colleges and/or line manager in complex cases.
• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor
• To develop, record and adapt individual care plans, based on assessment results and response to treatment.
• To evaluate all training provided and amend according to feedback.

PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS:

To manage and prioritise a defined caseload

To manage and prioritise own workload

To plan and organise groups and training, as required.

To plan and deliver training to parents/carers and education staff as necessary.

PHYSICAL SKILLS:

1.To demonstrate highly developed auditory skills to enable specialist assessment of speech and/or voice skills, including a high level of accuracy with phonetic transcriptions.

2.To demonstrate highly developed visual perceptual skills in observations of client interactions and communication.

3. To use a keyboard to input data, access emails and produce individualised therapy advice as required.

4. To use British Sign Language and Sign Supported English on a regular basis in therapy sessions.

5. To be able to use AAC techniques e.g. symbols as required during therapy sessions.

6. To use audio-video equipment on a regular basis in therapy sessions.

 Please see the Job Description and the Persons Specification for further details about the job role.