Senior Speech and Language Therapist: Paediatrics

• To manage a caseload of inpatients within the speciality of Acute Paediatric dysphagia and to produce case notes and reports reflecting specialist knowledge and skill underpinned by current evidence-based practice.
• To provide specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, advice, goal setting, intervention plans, therapeutic intervention, and discharge planning in the above area.
• To develop and maintain skills and knowledge through personal study, journal club and designated training courses defined by the Personal Development Review framework objectives.
• To work independently, accessing supervision and appraisal within a Performance Development Review Framework at pre-determined intervals with the supervising clinician.
• To maintain close links and liaison with the Paediatric and Neonatal multidisciplinary teams across sites at ICHNT. To attend appropriate ward rounds/meetings and case conferences and communicate specialist information to members of the MDT.
• To contribute to the development and delivery of audit projects appropriate to the post's clinical commitments, in conjunction with other speech and language therapists.
• To have working knowledge of and adhere to all relevant national and local professionaland clinical guidelines.
• To operate within ethical, legal and moral frameworks and be accountable for own professional actions, recognising own professional boundaries.

Essential

• Degree accredited by Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Evidence of CPD through maintenance of a Professional portfolio demonstrating experience and achievements.
• Evidence of continuous and current clinical, professional, leadership and academic development including attendance at post-graduate courses relevant to the clinical field

Essential

• Experience of working at post graduate level as a Speech & Language Therapist with Paediatrics with acquired communication and swallowing disorders in an acute hospital and/or rehabilitation setting.
• Experience of working at post graduate level as a Speech & Language Therapist with Paediatrics with acquired communication and swallowing disorders in a community setting.
• Experience of working in a multi disciplinary team.
• Experience of delivering training programmes to students and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Experience of participation in clinical governance activities.
• Substantial and relevant
• Evidence of successful team working.
• Undertaken audit and/or research
• Knowledge and understanding of service related quality issues
• Experience of clinical education of staff, students or assistants
• Experience of supervision of students/ Speech and Language Therapy assistants, with development of basic supervision skills
• Demonstrate learning from experiences of both band 6(or equivalent) experience and having undertaken formal and informal CPD, both general and specific to clinical fields of speciality
• Demonstrate an understanding of the use of evidence-based practice in chosen field of speciality

Essential

• Specialist level of clinical skills and knowledge in the management of paediatric feeding, swallowing and communication disorders in the acute hospital setting; underpinned by current models of best practice.
• Ability to use specialist knowledge to make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment, with access to a supervisor
• Ability to formulate independent clinical decisions, reflecting on practice, and ensuring demonstration of evidence based practice
• Ability to seek guidance when faced with a situation beyond clinical experience
• Demonstrates skills in working with complex issues.
• Able to work effectively in a team and on own initiative.
• Able to make sound judgments and reliable clinical decisions in a demanding intensive care situations based on knowledge / experience / circumstances
• Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate as appropriate and to manage time effectively.
• Able to manage the emotional consequences of working with distressing conditions
• Able to provide an ongoing service to emotionally demanding patients and/or their parents /carers
• Ability to negotiate with the patient and/or their parent/carer and the medical/AHP teams around individual case management, prioritisation and clinical risk management
• Ability to communicate effectively and flexibly, and to adapt communication style to the needs of children, adolescents and staff

Desirable

• Knowledge of the workings of regional speciality paediatric units.
• Knowledge of appropriate standardised assessments and outcome measures
• Awareness of current legislation (Children Act. NSF, Child Protection)
• Experience of neuro developmental assessment.
• Experience, at band 6 level or equivalent, of working with children with long-term neurological conditions
• Experience of using clinical governance framework to monitor and improve quality of patient care