Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Band 6 - 37.5 hours - Permanent

There has never been a more exciting time to join the ISCAN (Integrated Service for Children with Additional Needs) team. We are moving forward in growing our service following some recent investment for our workforce and also to enhance our Local Offer. As a member of our team you will have the opportunity to be involved in the development of our new ISCAN website. In addition, the Trust are working with the team to develop some innovative approaches to redesign pathways with the goal of delivering improved care for our children and families across Tameside and Glossop.



Our organisation recognises the value and contribution Allied Health Professionals make to the NHS as the third largest workforce. As such, Tameside and Glossop ICFT are taking part in the national AHP workforce supply project. This project seeks to support the professional development and growth of this workforce to meet the continually evolving needs of the populations these highly skilled practitioners serve. It could not be a better time to join our organisation and be a part of the exciting future ahead.

Main duties of the job

JOB SUMMARY:

• Working as a member of the ISCAN (Integrated Service for Children with Additional Needs) Speech and Language Therapy team, delivering specialist care to children in Tameside and Glossop.
• Working within local education and health settings, including local schools and colleges and private nurseries.
• Providing leadership and supervision for other team members.

• Opportunity to develop a specialism. Current specialisms available include:
• Supporting children with hearing impairment

• Supporting language difficulties in secondary school aged children.
• Supporting children who have difficulties with social communication and interaction.
• Working with children with complex communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.

About us

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of quality services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children. Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners.

We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate & these are:

• Safety
• Care
• Respect
• Communication
• Learning

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ & Disabled people.

Benefits include; flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.

Job description Job responsibilities
Communications

To work closely and often for extended periods with clients referred for SLT and with their families/carers; these clients will have a range of complex difficulties of which communication will be a part. Some clients will have additional needs such as hearing impairment, learning difficulties, psychological or emotional difficulties. Clients may not have English as their first language and interpreter services will be required.

To communicate to clients and their families/carers information about highly complex communication difficulties, to ensure they understand and consent to assessment procedures and can participate fully in decision making regarding management. This may include giving unwelcome or difficult to accept information e.g. around the seriousness, implications or long-term nature of the difficulty.

To develop and use collaborative styles of working that emphasise interdisciplinary consultation and joint working, such as in educational context and with children with highly complex needs. To negotiate packages of therapy care with clients/carers who may initially be reluctant.

To provide written reports, presenting complex information in a clear and accessible way; reports may be provided to carers, schools, GPs, medical consultants and other allied health professionals. Verbal feedback is also frequently given to other professional (e.g. Health Visitors, Educational Psychologists), and SLT colleagues

To build and maintain good working relationships and communication with a wide range of other professionals within Health, Education, Social Services and other sectors. This will include head teachers, class and specialist teachers, educational psychologists, medical consultants and social workers.

Responsibility for Patient Care

To autonomously manage a caseload of paediatric clients which will include children with complex and significant communication difficulties.

To independently identify assessment needs and carry out and interpret appropriate and detailed assessments of the speech, language and communication skills of clients and make differential diagnosis on the basis of complex evidence from assessment; to assess the wider communication environment for clients e.g. school, home etc. The post holder will work in a range of settings, including clients homes, schools and clinics.

To identify and deliver specialist care plans for highly complex cases, seeking support as appropriate (e.g. from a highly specialist SLT or team leader), and to use discretion in generating and implementing appropriate strategies for caseload management. To evaluate the outcomes of SLT intervention, to review management and adapt care plans accordingly.

To demonstrate reflective practice, reflecting on practice both independently and with peers; to demonstrate problem-solving skills in a peer-review/support context and identify own strengths and opportunities for development.

To provide specialist advice to clients, carers, school staff, Allied Health Professional (AHPs), medical staff and others regarding the management/treatment of patients with communication difficulties.

To direct clients/carers to appropriate voluntary agencies and external services for support and information, e.g. Portage Workers and charitable groups.

To assist patients/service users/carers/relatives during incidental contacts.

Planning and organising

To organise own workload effectively, prioritising tasks and planning ahead by setting both long- and short-term goals.

To work with Speech and Language Support Assistants, providing programmes of therapy to be used with individual clients and supervising their implementation.

To organise and plan own day to day workload or activities in order to meet the demands of the job role.

Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources

To monitor and maintain equipment and stock kept for own use; this will include test materials and disposables (recording and analysis sheets), therapy materials, audio and video recording equipment.

To ensure any equipment or material that is loaned to clients or families is safe, well maintained and appropriately used.

To ensure safe and efficient use of equipment, resources and consumables at all times.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Recognised SLT degree qualification or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council Registration and full Registered Membership of RCSLT
• NQP competencies completed

Desirable

• Relevant post-graduate training/courses

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions appropriate to the client group/s
• Post-graduate professional development

Experience Essential

• Substantial experience as a qualified SLT working in a range of settings and with different client groups.
• Experience of administration and organisation for caseload management
• Experience training parents/carers and a range of professionals.

Desirable

• Experience of coaching or line management of staff including basic HR tasks
• Will have been involved with previous service improvements

Skills & Abilities Essential

• Excellent verbal communication, both written and spoken
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Ability to carry out detailed assessments, differential diagnosis and development of care plans for children with complex and significant SLCN
• Excellent organisational skills, including ability to prioritise
• Evidence of well-developed analytical and reflection skills
• Willingness to undertake further clinical and professional training
• Excellent keyboard and IT skills

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

245-AHP6SALT-07-22