We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work in special schools in Barnet . Part-time/flexible working will be considered ensuring that the role offers excellent work/life balance.

There is opportunity for dysphagia training alongside a supportive and experienced team if you would like to develop or further develop your skills in this area with the client group.

You will work independently and with supervision and support, alongside a friendly, open, and experienced therapy team to deliver assessment and intervention for children and young people with a range of communication difficulties, and to provide training and advice to empower their families and education staff.

Main duties of the job

Please see the Job Description and the Persons Specification for further details about the job role. If you are unable to access the PDF, the details of the job description can also be found in the 'Detailed Job Description and Main responsibilities' section.

About us

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trustbelieves that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The purpose of this job description is to outline the level of responsibility and accountability of this post. This will ensure that all work undertaken by our staff is clearly identified and carried out under clear lines of accountability.

Aim of the role:

The post holder will be expected to support their team, department, and organisation to achieve the Trusts Values in their day-to-day work. The post holder will achieve this by

• Providing a comprehensive Speech and Language Therapy service to children presenting with a range of speech, language and communication needs in the borough.
• Independently managing a paediatric caseload and delivering integrated therapeutic packages of care
• Devising child centred speech, language and communication therapy programmes and care plans for clients
• Contributing to multi agency care pathways for children with special educational need
• Providing feedback, guidance and training to parents/carers and other professionals regarding language and communication needs and strategies to facilitate childrens development .
• Committing to collaborative working and actively supporting and liaising with other health, education, and social care professionals

Supporting peers and colleagues by being an effective team member whilst working on own initiative

Working for Whittington Health in Barnet will offer:

• Excellent CPD opportunities
• Informal networking across the 4 Whittington Boroughs
• Commitment to excellence in practice
• Very strong supervision and direct line management
• Agile working in the community using mobile technology
• Flexible working hours and arrangements will be considered
• Shadowing opportunities
• Service and Trust Induction Packages
• Specialist advice and second opinions
• Team Meetings
• Appraisals
• Support to develop your own clinical interests
• Team projects co-working with other colleagues.

Key Responsibilities:

Patient care

• To be responsible for clinical delivery of SLT service to a caseload of children with a range of speech, language and communication needs within special schools around the borough of Barnet.
• If dysphagia competencies achieved, to be responsible for clinical delivery of SLT Service to children and adolescents in special schools with eating and drinking difficulties for whom a specialist level of assessment and intervention is required.
• To evaluate the effects of communication difficulties and swallowing status on the psychosocial well-being of children and their families.
• Complete assessments, write individual programmes, implement groups, provide specialist advice and resources and review outcomes with a functional based focus.
• To work collaboratively with children, families and other professionals to achieve outcomes for individuals, providing support, programmes, ideas, advice and assessment.
• To provide specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of children and young people with feeding and swallowing difficulties.
• To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures. This requires knowledge of current research and agreed best practice in working in the field of specialism.
• To provide a service considering the needs of clients from a range of ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.
• To liaise with specialist teaching staff, classroom teachers and education support staff to provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy input to curriculum and programme planning.
• To liaise closely with the Special Needs Services staff within Barnet and with members of the Learning Support Services working with children with complex needs & dysphagia.
• To maintain close links with Speech and Language Therapy staff working in Early Years, School Age and Adult Teams within the trust to ensure smooth transition between phases as required.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

• oDegree or equivalent and Licence to Practice
• oCurrent registered membership of HCPC
• oNVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy

Desirable

• oMember of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• oMember of relevant clinical excellence network
• oEvidence of successful completion of specialist short courses
• oLevel C Dysphagia competencies
• oMember of relevant clinical excellence network

Knowledge, skills & Experience

Essential

• oRelevant experience at Undergraduate/Post-Graduate level
• oDemonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
• oGood presentation skills, both written and verbal including ability to write clear and concise reports
• oWorking knowledge of relevant information technology
• oDemonstrates ability to be a good team member
• oKnowledge of relevant assessment tools
• oKnowledge of relevant national policies and procedures
• oKnowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions
• oInterest in acquiring broad experience across various relevant care groups
• oAbility to work independently as appropriate
• oAwareness of the roles of other relevant professionals
• oAwareness of standards of record keeping
• oSkills in planning, assessing and implementing relevant intervention
• oAbility to work in partnership with other professionals and other agencies
• oAwareness and sensitivity to the needs of clients from a range of ethnic and linguistic backgrounds
• oAwareness of the principles of clinical governance /audit

Desirable

• oUnderstanding of local issues relevant to delivery of a Speech & Language Therapy service

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

• oAbility to deal with and resolve conflict with highly developed Negotiation and Problem-solving Skills
• oDemonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills
• oWell-developed concentration skills
• oDemonstrate trust values: innovative, compassionate, accountable, respectful, excellent
• oExcellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills

Other

Essential

• oTo be able to travel efficiently throughout the area
• oCommitment to equal opportunities
• oProfessional manner
• oFlexible approach to work
• oUses initiative
• oCommitment to Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

• oCar driver

Employer details

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

3rd Floor, Westgate House, Edgware Community Hospital

Burnt Oak Broadway

Edgware

HA8 0AD

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

220-WHT-1476