This is a fantastic opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist to join a Community Trust rated as outstanding and work within the Norfolk Learning DisabilitiesService.

You will be part of the East Norfolk Community LD Teams, one of 5 across Norfolk; and a member of the LD SLT team, with clinical supervision from the SLT professional lead.

Thisfull time post includes providing extra SLT capacity to the Norwich CLDT and on occasion other place based CLDTs in accord with county wide referral prioritisation.

Recruitment Prima

This post is eligible for a welcome incentive of up to £2,000 in accord with the following criteria:

• Must be new to NCHC (not applicable if moving within the Trust);
• Contract period must be at least 2 years duration or permanent;
• The amount payable is pro-rata with whole time equivalent (WTE) up to a maximum of £2,000 for full time posts;
• If meeting the criteria the recruitment prima will be paid in two equal amounts; the first payment in the first pay run after commencing in post; the second payment on successful completion of the Trust's 6-month probationary period;
• If leaving the Trust within 2 years, the recruitment prima will need to be reimbursed at a reducing rate of 1 x 24th part, per month of employment.

We are happy to also consider applications if only looking for part time work and includingjob share options if more than once successful candidate is interested in part time.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for a caseload of clients with complex needs, using evidence based/patient principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.

To provide clinical supervision and clinical leadership to other Speech and Language Therapy staff as required and appropriate.

To be part of the planning, development and evaluation of Specialist Speech and Language Therapy services across the county to help ensure the consistency of high quality and efficient clinical services.

To support colleagues to provide practice placements for Specialist Speech and Language Therapy students, as required.

To deliver services in line with the appropriate clinical pathways/specification requirements.

To act as a Care Coordinator for patients with complex healthcare needs who require ongoing monitoring and support due to the complexity and unpredictability of their health needs.

About us

Norfolk Learning Disabilities Service comprises of five community teams countywide and is made up of joint health and social care professionals delivering specialist health provision and social care to adults with learning disabilities. We work in the community to ensure adults with learning disabilities lead as independent and fulfilling lives as possible.

The LD SLT team has excellent links with the department of Health Sciences at the University of East Anglia, and this includes opportunity to be involved in research projects and other CPD related activities.

Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.

Job description Job responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of the post holders work, including the management of people under the post holders professional care.

Using investigative and analytical skills utilising the post holders Speech and Language Therapy expertise in the field of Learning Disabilities, undertake a comprehensive assessment of communication and/or dysphagia in line with the appropriate clinical pathways and create and provide the appropriate interventions.

To provide specialist communication assessment, diagnosis and intervention using standardised and non-standardised assessments in the areas of linguistics, phonetics, phonology, paralinguistic, semantics and pragmatics.

To provide comprehensive dysphagia screening, assessment, diagnosis and intervention using biochemistry, advanced knowledge of the anatomy of the head and neck, advanced knowledge of the mechanical process of the head and neck, supporting knowledge of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract.

In providing a comprehensive assessment, advanced knowledge in the following areas may be required: specific language impairment, development language impairment, disordered language impairment, neurophysiology, anatomy and physiology, dual diagnosis, drug induced dysphagia, epilepsy, autistic spectrum disorder alternative and augmentative communication systems, sensory impairment, physical disability, dementia or a combination of these issues in complex individuals.

To contribute to differential diagnosis.

To contribute to multi-disciplinary assessment and the overall team care plan for the individual.

To disseminate communication or dysphagia advice effectively to people with learning disabilities and to carers(paid or unpaid) and staff (qualified/unqualified) an in their chosen and appropriate format.

To provide the Speech and Language Therapy expertise in decisions affecting enteral feeding and life-threatening risk of aspiration or asphyxiation, accessing support from monthly supervision as necessary.

To recommend the prescription of thickening agents and arrange appropriate monitoring.

To monitor and review specialist communication or dysphagia care plans and care plan documentation.

To research and recommend the prescription of alternative or augmentative communication systems(high or low tech) and assist in the securing of funding for the appropriate aid in liaison with appropriate professionals.

To contribute to and participate in review meetings, including strategy meetings for vulnerable adults.

To inform General Practitioners of dysphagia recommendations.

To ensure timely and appropriate referral to other specialists, e.g. videofluroscopy, gastroenterology.

To contribute to the provision of a seamless service between acute and community services.

To work with parents who have a learning disability including the participation in Child Protection meetings, complying with all relevant guidelines and legislation.

To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework where people lack the capacity to consent to treatment.

To apply a good level of understanding of the effect of disability, and provide training and advice to individual patients, family and paid carers, and Multi-Disciplinary team colleagues on communication.

To attend and participate in review meetings, taking formal minutes as necessary.

To promote access to mainstream services, supporting other professionals understanding of learning disabilities and reasonable adjustments.

To support individuals to complete their health books or health passports as required.

To be responsible for the equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to department and Trust manual handling policies, and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others.

To establish strong communication networks with people who use the service, carers and other health workers and agencies.

To promote awareness of the Specialist Speech and Language Therapy role and care pathways within Learning Disabilities Services, the Trust, other professionals and with people with learning disabilities and their carers.

Professional and Professional Leadership

To deputise for the Professional Lead at appropriate meetings as requested by the Lead.

To provide effective guidance, supervision and appraisal for more junior Speech and Language Therapists in order to manage their performance and ensure they provide the highest quality of service.

Adhere to the Trusts supervision policy and provide clinical supervision as required.

To act as Care Programme Approach Coordinator as required.

To participate in Clinical Governance, Research and Development and Audit activities as required by line manager and Head of Service.

Accepts responsibility for the delivery of the service, to organise this effectively and efficiently with regards to clinical priorities and use of time.

To provide observation opportunities for prospective SaLT career candidates, students from other health professions and non-health related individuals as requested by managers.

To help ensure/coordinate appropriate clinical training for Speech and Language Therapy Students on placements.

To assist the Service Lead, Team Managers and Professional Lead to ensure appropriate high quality local and county Adult Learning Disability Speech and Language Therapy Services are being delivered in line with the services specification and in an efficient, safe and evidence-based style.

To inform the Professional Lead of any variations to service delivery, changing priorities and needs, and their likely impact in relation to the need for service development. To work to resolve these issues with relevant others.

To monitor equipment levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate. To maintain a yearly stock-take of equipment in conjunction with local managers and professional lead as required.

To assist in keeping assessment, treatment and information materials and equipment up-to-date, safe (following infection control procedures) and in good order, informing the Professional Lead of needs and opportunities identified.

To assist in maintaining an up to date record of equipment loaned or prescribed to patients ensuring Trusts policies and procedures are adhered to.

To be part of team duty coverage, as required.

To assist in the development of clinical standards, policies, procedures and further service developments.

To be aware of and adhere to services policies, procedures and system to be used.

To ensure that up to date (own and other SaLT professionals) written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with professional and NCHC/NCC standards, and these are reviewed regularly as part of the clinical supervision sessions.

To maintain waiting lists in accordance with the services procedures and actively work to reduce these through innovative changes to service delivery and appropriate challenge.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Relevant degree from a course accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)- registration
• Basic post graduate dysphagia training or equivalent.

Desirable

• First line management experience
• Practice placement qualification or postgraduate training relevant to LD

Experience Essential

• Relevant post registration experience
• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities and their carers

Desirable

• Experience of community working
• Experience of research or audit
• To have experience and knowledge of Makaton/Sign-a-long (sign Supported English)

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge and application of standardised Speech and Language Therapy assessments
• Knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication strategies
• Knowledge of valuing people objectives and the principles and ability to apply them to practice
• Presentation and training skills
• Ability to plan interventions in a collaborative way
• Knowledge and application of standardised assessments
• Understanding of Speech and Language Therapy outcome measures
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
• Ability to reflect on critically appraise own performance
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information
• Good computer skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships
• Knowledge of the pillars of clinical governance and its application
• Knowledge of manual handling legislation and risk assessment
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