SPECIALIST SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST

SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY POSTS

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist - Band 6 / Band 5 development post , to join our established team within our Bedford Borough special schools.

Band: 6

Base: Bedford special schools

Hours: Part Time / Full time considered

Post: Permanent

The Luton and Bedfordshire Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Service has a vacancy for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in our Bedford Locality. The post is suitable for an experienced therapist with specialist skills who can assess, diagnose and make recommendations for a caseload of school-age children with complex communication and / or feeding needs. Applications are also encouraged from therapists wishing to develop their skills in the area of complex needs.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will independently devise strategies for complex case management, and signpost children and their families to appropriate clinical pathways both within and outside of the SLT service. Candidates should be highly skilled in working compassionately and effectively with families.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate an ability to work flexibly, and demonstrate initiative and confidence around clinical decision making. Candidates will have excellent communication skills and be experienced in multidisciplinary working.

There is an opportunity for the successful candidate to complete training, and receive in-service support, to achieve their Dysphagia competencies.

As a Service we provide:

• Full Trust and service induction.
• Formal and informal training for the role, including shadowing opportunities.

• Regular clinial supervision and a mentoring system
• Excellent Continued Professional Development opportunities including in house training and external courses.
• Reflective clinical forums and buddying systems.
• Regular whole service and locality team meetings.

For further information not available in job description or person specification, for any queries or to arrange a visit please contact: Amanda Armstrong (Special Needs Team Leader) on amanda.armstrong1@nhs.net

About us

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

Job description Job responsibilities

Job Purpose



The post holder will provide specialist clinical input to three special schools in Bedford Borough.They will have day-to-day responsibility for coordinating a speech & language therapy service to special school children and independently manage the caseloads in these settings.

They will:

• Use specialist clinical skills to manage a caseload of children with complex difficulties in speech, language, communication and/or eating and drinking (dysphagia) and AAC.
• Identify, assess and diagnose communication/swallowing impairments and determine appropriate intervention for effective treatment.

To assess children and provide written recommendations and ongoing support for implementation, for class teams.

• Attend and provide reports to Annual Reviews/Multi Agency Meetings as appropriate.
• Provide Communication Support and advice in relation to functional communication, to support teaching and learning.
• Demonstrate specific speech and language therapy support programmes and the use of equipment to specific teachers or groups of staff
• Provide guidance and whole school training in relation to functional communication including receptive, expressive and interactional skills.
• To contribute to relevant research, audit and development work within the schools, relating to the Speech Language and Communication curriculum.
• To attend relevant meetings as required within school or as part of wider SLT team.

Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential

• Recognised S< Degree or equivalent Health Professions Council Licence to Practice Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Desirable

• Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups
• M Sc or other recognised post graduate course linked to specialism
• Counselling qualification

Experience Essential

• Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of a broad range of clinical disorders, assessments and appropriate therapeutic interventions in specialist field
• Relevant specialist experience as qualified SLT in Paediatric AAC and dysphagia
• Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of educational and clinical issues/developments relating to children with complex needs

Desirable

• Counselling skills training
• Knowledge and understanding of the philosophy and set up of special schools
• Additional qualifications in AAC and dysphagia

Skills Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills with patients with communication problems where difficulties to understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy
• Able to convey complex information clearly to patients, carers and other professionals both in verbal and written form
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit

Desirable

• Computer literate
• Car driver

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

448-BCHS-5034129