We now have an exciting opportunity for a part time Advanced Speech and Language Therapist, working with adults with learning (intellectual) disabilities in the Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership (LDP). The post will be a job share with an experienced Band 7 SLT. The service is well-established and there are many opportunities for development.

The LDP consists of five integrated specialist health and social care teams, as well as local authority run day and accommodation services for adults with a learning disability.

The five integrated locality teams aim to ensure the assessment and provision of person centred specialist health and social care services that promote an individual's right to choice, independence, health and wellbeing in line with their assessed needs and in a way that enables them to reach their full potential.

Main duties of the job

• Be responsible for the autonomous assessment and management of a highly specialist and complex caseload of adults with a learning disability. Be responsible for management of all referrals relating to communication and/or swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) within the relevant team locality.
• Be required to use your specialist clinical skills to develop and provide a range of training packages relating to supporting the communication needs of service users, to equip support staff and others with the specialist communication skills required in their work with adults with LD.
• Provide professional supervision and line management to Band 6 SLTs, including annual appraisal, and professional development.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working within the LDP and with key partners.
• Demonstrate advanced specialist knowledge and clinical skills and have undertaken appropriate post registration training, including within the area of dysphagia assessment and management.
• Have an extensive understanding of Health and Social care policy and legislation for the service user group, in relation to your professional practice.
• Independently prioritise, maintain and manage a highly complex specialist caseload within the multidisciplinary context of the LDP.
• Have IT skills to input, analyse and present data/statistics to inform evidence- based practice.
• Provide regular line management and clinical supervision of Band 6 SLTs in line with CPFT Policy as required

About us

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting andempowering them to lead a fulfilling life.

Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services, not only via inpatient and primary care settings, but also within the community. These services include children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, research and development.

To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high-calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR FULL DETAILS

• Be highly proficient in the assessment, identification, treatment and management of the specialist health and communication needs of adults with an LD. This will include risk assessment, assessment of complex conditions such as, dysphagia, behaviour which challenges, forensic issues, palliative care, mental health, and epilepsy etc.
• Have advanced skills in the identification and implementation of appropriate communication support including (AAC) - manual signing, symbols use, accessible information and approaches such as Intensive Interaction.
• Enable the implementation, adaptation and use of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) across a variety of communication environments. Working collaboratively with service users and their support staff.
• Identify the need for, and be involved in, the development and delivery of training packages to enhance the communication and other skills of support workers and others working with adults with an LD within your area.
• Utilise highly specialist observation skills to assess the interaction of service users and support staff (including verbal, non-verbal communication etc) encouraging adaptive strategies to maximise effective communication, being aware of cultural and/or linguistic differences.
• Take a lead in the coordination of complex case work as a case manager for individuals as appropriate.
• Recognise the potential impact of a persons communication and/or dysphagia needs and develop clear Care Plans to address these needs.
• Write timely clinical case records, action plans and professional reports in line with professional guidelines that comply with CPFT/HCPC and County Council record keeping policies and standards as appropriate.
• Provide specialist clinical advice in relation to individual case work to professionals within the LDP

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• High levels of clinical experience: 3-5 years minimum in the area of ALD
• Experience of developing and delivering training programmes within Specialist area
• Experience of supervising colleagues, students, SLT Assistants/Associate Practitioners

Desirable

• Has proven experience of joint working

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Has embedded knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the ALD population
• In depth knowledge of national and local policy relating to Services for the ALD population
• In depth knowledge of Alternative and Augmentative Communication Aids
• Recognised highly Specialist knowledge in the assessment and management of Dysphagia
• A well-developed understanding of the roles of multidisciplinary team members

Desirable

• Has good understanding of a range of training approaches
• Has sound knowledge of the clinical evidence base underpinning practice in the field of ALD
• Knowledge of Social Care provision for the ALD population at local level

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly developed negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent organisational skills
• Demonstrates ability as an effective team member and assuming leadership responsibilities

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised SLT degree or Postgraduate equivalent
• Health Care Professions Council(HCPC): current Licence to Practice
• Registered member of Royal College of SLTs
• Advanced Postgraduate Dysphagia qualification
• Makaton/SignAlong signing tutor at regional level
• Active membership of Clinical Excellence Networks related to ALD

Desirable

• Masters degree or equivalent in relevant subject area
• Recognised Foundation Management qualification

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Scott House

5 George Street

Huntingdon

PE29 3AD

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

310-MASMH-5675364-E