Advanced Speech and Language Therapist - 12 months maternity cover

The post holder will plan and provide high standard Speech and Language Therapy assessment and treatment interventions to Adults and Older Adults with Mental health needs, including dementia, functional diagnosis' and challenging behaviours within specified inpatient and/or community settings. The post holder will use evidence based and client centred practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate one to one and group based interventions within the setting. The role will support leadership, service development, provide clinical supervision to staff and undertake a practice placement educator role. The post holder will be expected to work with multidisciplinary team colleagues and provide ongoing support on a daily basis to colleagues, as well as supervision and input into appraisal.The post holder will be required to work primarily at Bushey fields Hospital, however will be expected to cover additional sites during periods of leave or increased clinical acuity.

Main duties of the job

• Accessing ongoing supervision and continued professional development through Performance Review frameworks, the post holder will independently assess, diagnose and manage the communication and/or swallowing needs of clients, in particular those with the most complex difficulties. Including those with challenging behaviour and complex mental and physical health concerns, to maximize appropriate health and social benefits.
• The post-holder provides both direct and indirect intervention, consultation, advice and support working within a multi-disciplinary model in order to ensure that the inter-agency needs of clients are met fully.
• The post-holder undertakes advisory work, second opinions and provides peer review and advice within his/her area of expertise to support and develop the clinical skills of other staff.
• The post- holder provides clinical and day-to-day supervision for Speech and Language Therapy staff.
• The post-holder is responsible for the day-to-day running of the team systems including referrals to the team including team allocation, prioritisation, throughput, discharges, data collection, analysis and performance to key team targets.
• The post-holder is responsible for managing his/her own caseload and oversight of team caseloads, including clinical administration and appointments, in order to meet access criteria and ensure a cost-effective, quality service.

About us

Employees and workers, will be expected to uphold the values of the Trust and exhibit the expected Trust behaviours aligned to the Trust's values. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that they display the Trust values and behaviours in carrying out their job and that individuals feel able to challenge (or raise a challenge) when other colleagues' behaviours breach the spirit of Trust values.

The Trust is committed to being a safe and inclusive space for all people regardless of their age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital status, gender reassignment, or pregnancy/maternity. It recognises that it can only fully realise this commitment by proactively opposing bigotry in all its forms, including (but not limited to) ageism, disablism, sexism, racism, antisemitism, islamophobia, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. All staff members are required to understand their role in ensuring the Trust is not only compliant with its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 but fulfils this deeper commitment. This shall include completing all mandatory equalities training, familiarising themselves with relevant policies or plans such as the Trust's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and its Anti-Racism Action Plan, and proactively engaging with the work of the Staff Networks, Spiritual Care Team, Community Inclusion Team, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Service Development

• The post-holder is aware of current local and national priorities, which may affect service delivery and contributes to the development of strategies for meeting needs.
  
• The post-holder contributes to, and participates in the Speech and Language Therapy service development action plan, including the development of policies in response to the collection and analysis of statistical information, as appropriate, to ensure whole staff ownership and implementation of quality care.
  
• The post-holder leads and participates in the multidisciplinary team, and Speech and Language Therapy team activity including undertaking joint working initiatives and the collection and analysis of statistical and audit information, leading and undertaking clinical audits in order to promote multidisciplinary team working.
  
• The post-holder takes part in clinical research opportunities and/or leads or collaborates on the writing of articles and publications relevant to their specialist field.
  

Clinical Governance

• The post-holder adheres to the standards in place within the Speech and Language Therapy department under the pillars of clinical governance, including audit, evaluation and the identification and management of risk in any environment (clinical and non-clinical)
  
• The post-holder is subject to annual appraisal, review and regular supervision.
  
• The post-holder is expected to provide clinical supervision for a range of less experienced staff, including assistants, newly qualified therapists and specialist clinicians or others as appropriate.
  

Resource Management

• Physical resources: the post-holder identifies and manages appropriate service equipment requirements within the non-pay Speech and Language Therapy local budget and is responsible for security, maintenance and transportation of clinical resources in the team, including keeping inventories as appropriate.
  
• The post-holder assists non-NHS colleagues in the identification of suitable resources to support and develop communication and safe swallowing.
  

Training

• The post-holder identifies, writes, delivers and develops packages of training within his /her specialist clinical area, in order to advise, educate and empower multi-disciplinary groups and families/carers to both enhance and support effective communication and safer eating, drinking and swallowing.
  
• The post-holder identifies and pursues appropriate and relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities from a variety of sources in order to keep his/her professional knowledge up-to-date.
  
• The post-holder provides practical procedural instruction (both clinical and non-clinical) to a range of more junior staff (both qualified and unqualified).
  
• On a rotational basis, the post-holder supervises clinical placements for undergraduate Speech and Language Therapists in order to assist Higher Education Establishments.
  

Other

• The post-holder is aware of and, as appropriate, acts upon policies and procedures in place for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable adults.
  
• The post-holder is aware of and complies with the Mental Health Act in relation to clients within the Mental Health service.
  
• The post-holder is expected to work with clients with challenging behaviour independently and complete home visits conducting the appropriate risk assessments and applying measures as required.
  
• To undertake any other duties of a similar nature consistent with the responsibilities of this post in order to provide a quality service.
  

Person Specification

skills, knowledge & experience

Essential

• Experience and postgraduate qualification in Dysphagia assessment and treatment
• Evidence and experience in supervising others
• Involvement and interest in service evaluation and development
• Experience in management of complex communication assessment and treatment

Desirable

• Experience in Mental Health specialities
• Additional training or experience in leadership

Employer details

Employer name

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Therapy Hub, Busheyfields Hospital

Busheyfields Road

Dudley

DY1 2LZ



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285-4817-MH