Speech & Language Therapist, Senior

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title and Grade / Speech & Language Therapist, Senior
(Grade Code 3379)
Campaign Reference / NRS03342
Closing Date / Friday, 29th January 2016 at 12 noon
Proposed Interview Date (s) / Week commencing 22nd February 2016
Taking up Appointment / A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Location of Post / Primary Care Adults Speech and Language Therapy Service, Longford/Westmeath
CHO Area 8
(Speciality Area: Adult Acquired Incorporating Older Persons)
There is currently one permanent, whole-time vacancy available. The post holder will be based in St. Joseph’s Care Centre, Longford.
A panel may be created on foot of this campaign for Primary Care Adults Speech and Language Therapy Service, Longford/Westmeath, CHO Area 8 from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full time or part time duration may be filled.
Informal Enquiries / Betty Kelly - Speech and Language Therapist Manager
Tel: 086 6052474
Email:
Details of Service / The Primary Care Adults Speech and Language Therapy Service, Longford provides service to adult outpatients, domiciliary and older persons in residential care centres in County Longford.
The Longford Primary Care Adult caseload includes a range of adult clients referred to speech and language therapy including clients with swallowing, communication and voice difficulties.
The post holder will work closely with the Senior Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) Primary Care Adults, Mullingar and Athlone in the provision of Longford/Westmeath community adult service.
There are close SLT linkages with the acute hospital SLT team at Mullingar Hospital and integrated care pathways for community rehabilitation and video-fluorscopy clinic referrals.
Continuous professional development opportunities are provided within the service and joint CPD sessions are scheduled with the community and acute SLT team.
There will be opportunities to participate in quality improvement projects across the Longford/Westmeath SLT Team.
Professional Supervision is provided by the SLT Manager.
Reporting Relationship / The post holder will:
  • Report to the SLT Manager Longford / Westmeath.
  • Provide supervision of staff grade SLTs and student SLTs on clinical placements.

Purpose of the Post / To provide a Speech and Language Therapy Service to the adult caseload in County Longford.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / Professional / Clinical
The Senior Speech & Language Therapist will:
  • Be responsible for assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment / intervention programmes for service users according to professional standards.
  • Be able to make highly specialist clinical decisions following assessment of complex cases.
  • Arrange and carry out assessment and treatment / intervention programmes in appropriate settings (e.g. clinic, home, school, day centre) in line with local policy / guidelines.
  • Communicate results of assessments and recommendations to the service user and relevant others as appropriate.
  • Document all assessments, diagnoses, treatment / intervention plans, clinical notes, relevant contacts and summaries in accordance with department and professional standards.
  • Collaborate with service user, family, carers and other staff in goal setting and treatment / intervention planning.
  • Provide clinical leadership in the day-to-day running of the service by supporting and supervising staff, prioritising and allocating work and promoting positive staff morale.
  • Be responsible for maintenance of standards of practice of self and designated staff.
  • Foster close working relationships with colleagues and other relevant professionals in maximising the service users potential.
  • Actively engage in performance management.
  • Provide support and information in relation to communication and / or feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing disorders etc. to service users and relevant others.
  • Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in collaboration with the service user and other team members as part of an integrated package of care.
  • Attend clinics and participate in relevant meetings and ward rounds as appropriate
  • In conjunction with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager, contribute to the development and implementation of procedures, policies and guidelines while adhering to existing standards and protocols.
  • Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation.
  • Seek advice and assistance from the Speech and Language Therapist Manager with any assigned cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his / her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.
  • Operate within the scope of Speech & Language Therapy practice as set out by the Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists.
  • Participate in and develop activities which support health promotion.
  • Carry out other duties as assigned by the Speech & Language Therapist Manager.
Education and Training
The Senior Speech & Language Therapist will:
  • Participate in mandatory and recommended training programmes in accordance with departmental/organisational guidelines.
  • Maintain and develop professional expertise and knowledge by actively engaging in continuing professional development e.g. reflective practice, by attending and presenting at in-service events, training courses, conferences, professional courses or other courses relevant to practice, participating in research etc.
  • Manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student therapists and promote and engage in the teaching / training / support / supervision of others as appropriate.
  • Avail of and participate in own supervision as per the supervision structure of the Speech & Language Therapy discipline within the service.
  • Engage in planning and performance reviews, as required with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager.
Health & Safety
The Senior Speech & Language Therapist will:
  • Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
  • Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of relevant / designated individual(s) in line with best practice.
  • Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others.
  • Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action.
  • Comply with department procedures with regard to assessment, recommendation and / or manufacturing of all assistive devices.
  • Promote a culture that values diversity and respect.
  • Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etcand comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.
  • Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
Administrative
The Senior Speech & Language Therapist will, in consultation with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager:
  • Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of service in designated area(s).
  • Ensure good working practice and adherence to standards of best practice.
  • Promote quality by reviewing and evaluating the Speech & Language Therapy service, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services.
  • Assist the Speech and Language Therapist Manager in service development, including policy development and implementation.
  • Ensure the maintenance of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, the organisation’s requirements and the Freedom of Information Act, and provide reports and other information / statistics as required.
  • Engage in service audit and demonstrate the achievement of the service objectives.
  • Represent the department / profession / team at meetings and conferences as appropriate.
  • Deputise for the Speech and Language Therapist Manager as required.
  • Participate in the control and ordering of clinical equipment.
  • Engage in technological developments as they apply to the service user and service administration.
  • Keep up to date with change and developments within the Irish Health Service.
The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post:-
1.Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc
Category A:
(i)Individuals who qualified before the 31st October 2014 and have not engaged in the practice of the profession in the Republic of Ireland must:
a) Hold a qualification recognised by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU;
(i) / Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Studies)from the University of Dublin
or
(ii) / Bachelor of Arts (Moderatorship) (Remedial Linguistics) from the University of Dublin
or
(iii) / Bachelor of Arts (Remedial Linguistics) from the University of Dublin
or
(iv) / Master of Science in Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) from the University of Limerick
or
(v) / Licentiateship of the College of Speech Therapists
or
(vi) / Bachelor in Science in Clinical Speech and Language Studies, University of Dublin, TrinityCollegeDublin
or
(vii) / Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Therapy), UniversityCollegeCork
or
(viii) / Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Therapy), National University of Ireland, Galway
or
b) Hold a comparable qualification recognised by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU
or
c) Hold a qualification previously recognised by the Department of Health[1]
or
d)Submit proof to the HSE of their application for recognition, or proof of recognition, of their current qualifications to the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board by the date specified by the HSE
and
e)Have three years post qualification experience.
and
f) Submit proof to the HSE of their application for registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be offered.
and
g)Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office
OR
(ii) Individuals who qualified before the 31st October 2014 and have been engagedin the practice of the profession for less than 2 years fulltime, ( or an aggregateof 2 years fulltime), in the Republic of Ireland between 31st October 2009 and 30th October 2014 must:
OR
(iii)Individuals who do not meet Category A (i) or (ii) (above) or Category B (below) and who are deemed eligible by CORU for registration under Section 38 must:
a) Hold a qualification recognised by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU:
(i) / Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Studies)from the University of Dublin
or
(ii) / Bachelor of Arts (Moderatorship) (Remedial Linguistics) from the University of Dublin
or
(iii) / Bachelor of Arts (Remedial Linguistics) from the University of Dublin
or
(iv) / Master of Science in Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) from the University of Limerick
or
(v) / Licentiateship of the College of Speech Therapists
or
(vi) / Bachelor in Science in Clinical Speech and Language Studies, University of Dublin, TrinityCollegeDublin
or
(vii) / Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Therapy), University College Cork
or
(viii) / Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Therapy), National University of Ireland, Galway
or
b) Hold a comparable qualification recognised by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU
or
c) Hold a qualification previously recognised by the Department of Health[2]
or
d)Submit proof to the HSE of their application for recognition, or proof of recognition, of their current qualifications to the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board by the date specified by the HSE
and
e)Have three years post qualification experience.
and
f)Submit proof to the HSE of their application for registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be offered.
and
g)Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office
Category B:
Individuals who qualified before the 31st October 2014 and have been engaged in the practice of the profession in the Republic of Ireland for a minimum of two (2) years fulltime, ( or an aggregate of 2 years fulltime), between 31st October 2009 and 30th October 2014 must:
a)hold a qualification recognised by the Speech and LanguageTherapists Registration Board at CORU;
(i) / Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Studies)from the University of Dublin
or
(ii) / Bachelor of Arts (Moderatorship) (Remedial Linguistics) from the University of Dublin
or
(iii) / Bachelor of Arts (Remedial Linguistics) from the University of Dublin
or
(iv) / Master of Science in Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) from the University of Limerick
or
(v) / Licentiateship of the College of Speech Therapists
or
(vi) / Bachelor in Science in Clinical Speech and Language Studies, University of Dublin, TrinityCollegeDublin
or
(vii) / Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Therapy), University College Cork
or
(viii) / Bachelor of Science (Speech and Language Therapy), National University of Ireland, Galway
or
b) Hold a qualification previously recognised by the Department of Health1
and
c)Have three years post qualification experience
and
d) Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, managerial and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
2.Registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register
Category A
Appointees who subsequently fail to achieve the necessary registration in the Speech and Language Therapists Registermaintained by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU will not be able to continue in the role of a Speech and Language Therapist beyond the 30th October 2016.
Category B
Appointees must have applied for registration with CORU by the 30th October 2016.
3.Annual registration
Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech and LanguageTherapists Registration Board at CORU.
4.Age
Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
5.Health
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
6.Character
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Post Specific Requirements / Adult Acquired (Incorporating Older Persons)
  • Ability to assess and manage communication and feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing disorders in the adult population as it applies to the post.
  • Experience in conducting, interpreting and reporting instrumental swallowing assessments e.g. videofluoroscopic swallow studies and/or FEES (fibre optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing).
  • In-depth knowledge and experience in the areas of specialism as it applies to the post
  • Speech & Language Therapists who work with people with feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties must hold a dysphagia qualification or equivalent as outlined in “Standards of Practice for Speech & Language Therapists on the Management of Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)” Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT) 2007.

Other requirements specific to the post /
  • A Dysphagia Qualification
  • Access to transport.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / Candidates must;
  • Demonstrate sufficient command of the English language to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
  • Demonstrate sufficient clinical knowledge and evidence based practice to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
  • Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to evidence based practice.
  • Demonstrate the ability to plan and deliver care in an effective and resourceful manner.
  • Demonstrate an ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment.
  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a user centred service.
  • Demonstrate effective team skills.
  • Display effective communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, carers, etc.
  • Display awareness and appreciation of the service user and the ability to empathise with and treat service users / others with dignity and respect.
  • Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change.
  • Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively.
  • Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development.

Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview / A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executivewill run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicantson matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.