Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

• To assess and diagnose within the highly specialist clinical area.
• To produce detailed reports reflecting specialist knowledge regarding patients' needs and summarising proposed treatment plans.
• To contribute to legal documents such as Education, Health and Care Plans. Annual reviews and individual education plans.
• To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures
• To adapt practice to meet individual patients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences
• To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies
• To share information with carers and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines

• To communicate complex information from specialist assessment to patients, carers and other professionals
• To demonstrate empathy with patients, carers and other professionals, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where significant barriers to understanding exist.
• To respond sensitivity at all times, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clinical difficulties and their implications
• To demonstrate expert skills in managing conflict within the context of the highly specialist clinical area
• To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, in line with trust policy
• To foster productive relationships with others who have challenging communication difficulties and/or who may be under stress
• To employ excellent communication skills
• To apply expert strategies to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of communication, both verbal, non-verbal and environmental
• To provide specialist assessment and advice on optimising the patient's communication environment, including the communication skills of carers and other professionals within the patient's environment
• To provide supervision and specialist clinical advice, support and second opinions for therapists and other professionals working within highly specialist clinical area, offering case discussions, joint assessments.
• To demonstrate independence in dealing with complex issues associated with caseload management.
• To discharge appropriately, agreeing a point of closure with the client/carer, and informing other professionals.

• To gather statistical data punctually.
• To participate in departmental research as required.
• To initiate and undertake clinical governance/audit projects within: clinical area, as required.
• To demonstrate expert knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks (clinical area).

• To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan/ Professional Portfolio developed within an appraisal framework, including objectives relating to clinical specialism.
• To participate in Individual Performance Review ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans, including specific objectives relating the clinical specialism.
• To attend specialist short courses and advanced training in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a highly specialist therapist working in the field of complex communication disorders and maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration.
• To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to RCSLT Professional Guidelines and develop local guidelines within specialist clinical area.

• To develop and deliver specialist training to others in area of clinical expertise.
• To demonstrate the ability to target training appropriately to the needs of course participants.
• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided.

• To provide full student placements, including assessment of the placements as appropriate.

• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice independently, with peers and mentors to identify own strengths and development needs.
• To demonstrate a well-developed ability to integrate information, taking into account all aspects of the patient's communication, including verbal, non-verbal and environmental.
• To anticipate and take appropriate steps to prevent the breakdown of relationships with patients, carers and other professionals.
• To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from specialist assessment seeking internal and external support as appropriate.

• To demonstrate a well-developed ability to manage people with challenging behaviours including the application of appropriate management strategies.
• To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a regular basis.

• To advise line manager on clinical issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc.
• To assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including participation in working groups, policy development groups.
• To use specialist knowledge to lead service/policy developments as appropriate.

• To demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment diagnosis and treatment of patients/clients.
• To demonstrate skills in positioning clients with disabilities.
• To demonstrate highly developed ability to use AAC appropriately.

Essential

• Demonstrable experience assessing Children/YP with social communication difficulties
• Experience of managing large caseloads, prioritisation, planning workloads
• Experience of monitoring service outcomes

Essential

• The ability to travel independently across Bridgewater Trust
• The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs, including on occasions evenings

Essential

• Please confirm your Right to Work status (share-codes will be checked where applicable).

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language
• Therapy Degree Qualification or
• Equivalent
• Health Care Professions Council registration.
• RCSLT Licence to Practice

Desirable

• Registered member
• of Royal College of
• Speech and
• Language
• Therapists
• Membership of
• relevant Clinical Excellence Networks
• Evidence of additional training / continuing professional development around specialist area
• AODS training
• ADI training

Essential

• If you are related to a director, or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.

Essential

• Knowledge of Code of Practice and
• National Curriculum
• Understanding of the principles of clinical
• governance/audit
• Previous experience of NHS IT systems
• Excellent interpersonal skills including
• observation, listening and empathy
• skills
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Demonstrates good analytical and
• reflection skills
• Well developed concentration skills
• Good presentation skills, both written
• and verbal
• Good organisational skills
• Prioritisation skills
• Good auditory skills and ability to
• transcribe speech phonetically
• Demonstrates ability to be a good team
• Member