JOB DESCRIPTION

1.  JOB DETAILS
SERVICE / NHS Orkney
SERVICE DIRECTORATE/DEPARTMENT / Speech and Language Therapy
JOB TITLE / Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
BAND / Band 6
LOCATION / Kirkwall Health Centre
MANAGER / Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapy
ACOUNTABLE TO / Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapy
2.  JOB PURPOSE
To offer a comprehensive Speech and Language Therapy service to people of all ages living in Orkney.
3.  DIMENSIONS
The post holder will coordinate, provide and oversee speech and language therapy input for people of all ages and with a large variety of conditions who live in Orkney.
The post holder will assess, diagnose, treat and manage speech and language therapy input to an extremely diverse generalist caseload, primarily with adults but also including children of all ages. Supporting people with swallowing disorders (dysphagia) as well as input for adults with acquired communication disorders. In addition to supporting children with a diverse range of speech language and communication disorders under supervision.
4.  ORGANISATION CHART
5.  ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
To provide a comprehensive Speech and Language Therapy Service to the population of Orkney.
The Speech and Language Therapy Team is one of the services provided by Orkney Health and Care established in April 2010, a Community Health and Social Care Partnership between NHS Orkney and Orkney Islands Council.
The main functions of the Speech and Language Therapy Team (Adult and Paediatric) are:
·  To provide assessment, diagnosis and appropriate intervention throughout Orkney.
·  To work within a robust clinical governance framework in line with local and national policy.
·  To raise awareness and understanding in the public and other professions of the services available from the Orkney Speech and Language Therapy Department.
6.  KEY RESULT AREAS
·  To provide assessment, diagnosis and therapy to clients as part of a diverse and complex caseload frequently requiring specialist intervention (Generalist/Specialist).
·  To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment, seeking
advice as appropriate and to develop care plans based on best practice.
·  To manage the caseload effectively ensuring that services are targeted at those with the most significant need.
·  To develop speech and language programmes to be delivered by parents, teachers and support for learning assistants and to supervise and evaluate this work.
·  To promote person centred care and ensure that clients and carers are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans whenever possible.
·  To contribute to multi-agency meetings and case conferences sharing specialist professional knowledge and contributing appropriately to planning.
·  To provide regular specialist training independently on a range of topics to Speech and Language therapists and colleagues, as well as health, social care and education colleagues, targeting training to the needs of the course participants
·  To attend relevant training in order to maintain and develop own skills and competencies in line with evidence and best practice
·  To provide supervision, advice and support to Assistant practitioners, Speech and Language students, other professionals and voluntary sector workers.
·  To intiate and undertake clinical governance/audit projects within sphere of clinical practice.
·  To contribute to and participate in service improvements and development
·  To work within defined departmental, and RCSLT protocols, policies and codes of conduct, l and national legislation.
·  To act as a resource and provide advice in the areas of language, communication and swallowing for families, carers, professionals and voluntary organisations.
·  To participate in the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence.
·  To participate in the development and implementation of quality standards, outcome measurement and clinical effectiveness.
7.  DECISIONS & JUDGEMENTS
·  To effectively develop outcome based therapy treatment plans, evaluating and reviewing progress towards goals.
·  To prioritise own caseload to deliver an effective, fair, yet flexible service using specific organisational strategies to manage demand for speech and language therapy
·  To provide clear, written therapy management and care plans on a regular basis.
·  To demonstrate an ability to assess holistically all areas of a person’s communication (language, listening and speech) and social skills to facilitate and develop the effectiveness of their communications
·  To adapt interventions to meet the needs of the individual.
·  To jointly negotiate case management with the client/carer and all relevant agencies, contributing specialist knowledge where appropriate.
·  To identify and highlight to the Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Lead own training needs related to the caseload
·  To be able to reflect and evaluate own practice through personal reflection and supervision.
·  Be aware of own limitations and seek specialist support and advice when required
·  To use specialist knowledge to inform clinical judgement for case management.
·  To participate in the development and implementation of quality standards, outcome measurement and clinical effectiveness
8.  ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
The Clinical Lead for Speech and Language Therapy, will agree key objectives and workload priorities, will review performance and support professional development.
·  The post holder will have responsibility for own caseload and prioritise workload on a day to day basis.
·  To engage in annual appraisal (eKSF) and personal development review.
9.  COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
·  To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT and HCPC professional standards and local policies
·  To employ excellent communication and interpersonal skills both verbal and written
·  To participate effectively in inter/multi-disciplinary team meetings to ensure effective ongoing care plans delivery.
·  To clearly articulate to clients/carers/professionals the nature and extent of complex communication difficulties.
·  To prepare written reports, including specialist knowledge contributing to the diagnosis and care planning for people with complex disorders
·  To be able to effectively promote self management and support people to engage with their care and therapy treatment plans.
10. MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE JOB
·  Prioritising demanding caseload to provide an effective, fair yet flexible service within a diverse geographical setting (including isles) and for people with complex needs.
·  Managing effectively the total spectrum of speech language and communication disorders .
·  Keeping up to date with evidence based practice including new techniques, developments and technology.
·  Maintaining and developing specialist skills in a remote and rural setting.
·  Often working independently without direct contact or access to supervision
11. SYSTEMS/EQUIPMENT
·  To contribute to information management systems as required
·  To contribute to the maintenance of statistical/dashboard information to support
service delivery and development.
·  To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment, ensuring
Standards of infection control are met.
·  To demonstrate physical and technical skills for AAC (Alternative and
Augmentative Communication).
·  To monitor stock/resources and request new equipment as appropriate.
·  To maintain accurate casenotes in line with Communicating Quality 3.
·  To be competent in use of computer for email, report and correspondence writing, database management and Patient Management Systems (Trakcare) and specific SLT software,
e.g. Boardmaker.
12. QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE SPECIFIED FOR THE POST
·  Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualification or equivalent.
·  The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) – Licence to Practise.
·  At least 2 years post qualification experience.
·  Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
·  Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses, eg Dysphagia management, Parent/child Interaction Therapy and additional support needs.
·  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including observation, listening and empathy.
·  Well-developed negotiation and problem solving skills.
·  Well-developed concentration and prioritisation skills.
·  Good spoken and written presentation skills, analytical and reflection skills.
·  Excellent organisational skills.
·  Well established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools.
·  A current driving licence.
·  Ability to work autonomously, flexibly and to manage change.
·  Commitment to collaborative working and a positive proactive approach.
·  Understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
·  Understanding of the role of other professionals relevant to the client group.
·  In depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and an ability to critically appraise their effectiveness.
·  Knowledge of standards of record keeping.
·  Well established knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures
·  Demonstrate ability to be a good team member.
13. PHYSICAL EFFORT & SKILLS
·  To demonstrate skills and awareness in handling clients with disabilities/challenging
behaviour.
·  To assess, diagnose and treat clients using highly developed auditory and perceptual skills.
·  To cover distances in a rural area quickly and effectively by frequent driving to schools/home
visits and using ferries/planes to outer isles.
·  To carry heavy bags, assessment and therapeutic equipment, casenotes, etc.
·  To deal with variable working conditions: constantly in and out of different temperature
settings, clients’ poor personal and home hygiene standards...
·  To be flexible to the demands of the environment which may not always have been designed for Speech and Language purposes
14. MENTAL EFFORT
·  To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of client management for prolonged periods. In particular to monitor auditory, visual kinaesthetic aspects of client’s communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived client needs.
·  To be flexible in the demands of the environment, including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.
·  Preparing reports and completing documentation under time restrictions.
15. EMOTIONAL EFFORT
·  To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs and expectations of clients and their cares, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding diagnosis and prognosis.
·  Initial management of complaints or concerns regarding service.
·  To be sufficiently resilient to cope with the pressures of a demanding workload.

16. WORKING CONDITIONS

·  To work within infection control and safety guidelines in order to deal with unpleasant conditions related to client contact, e.g. exposure to bodily fluids, head lice.

·  To work in often poor and unsuitable locations, e.g. library, staff room, corridors, clients’ homes.

·  To cope with working in noisy and disruptive classroom situations.

·  To be flexible in the demands of the environment including unpredictable working patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.

·  To travel regularly by air and sea to Isles and have occasional unplanned overnights away from home due to inclement weather.

17 JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
A separate job description will need to be signed off by each jobholder to whom the job description applies.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Head of Department Signature: / Date:
Date:

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: / Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 6)
Department: / Speech and Language Therapy
Location: / Balfour Hospital
FACTOR / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS
TRAINING
REGISTRATIONS
RESEARCH
PUBLICATIONS / Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy/Pathology
Registered member of HCPC
Post graduate qualification/ competency attainment in dysphagia
Evidence of post graduate training and CPD / Registered member of RCSLT
Post graduate training in:
PECS
TEACCH
AAC
ADOS
Hanen
LSVT
EXPERIENCE / Relevant undergraduate/post graduate experience.
Two years experience working with clients with a variety of communication impairments.
Post graduate experience in dysphagia management / Post graduate experience in working with children with additional support needs
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS / Well established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and assessments.
Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses
Good behaviour change and problem solving skills
Good spoken and written communication skills
Critical thinking and reflection skills.
Good organisational and prioritisation skills.
Ability to work independently and autonomously
Commitment to collaborative working
Understanding of the role of other professionals relevant to the client group.
Well established knowledge of national policies and procedures
PERSONAL QUALITIES/OTHER / Enthusiastic and flexible
Ability to embrace change
Friendly, approachable manner.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Confident and assertive.
Cooperative team player.
Car driver and use of a car.