Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist (XR07)

Due to Ockenden funding for our service, we are looking to recruit a dynamic, motivated Band 7 Specialist Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist ( capable of providing high quality input across Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust Acute, supporting infants and families on our neonatal units, working within the model of family integrated care. This cross-site post will cover the twin sites of Leeds Childrens Hospital and St James University Hospital. The post will provide an excellent opportunity to develop skills as a core member of the Neonatal MDT, serving the population of Leeds and the Yorkshire region. The post holder will work alongside our already established clinical lead as part of the specialist neonatal service, providing continuation and development of the SLT service for our busy NICU, SCBU and neonatal services., To fulfil the role of a Highly Specialist Neonatal SLT, you will have experience of working at an advanced level in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of feeding and swallowing difficulties in Neonates as part of a multidisciplinary team (working within / towards the RCSLT Neonatal competency Level C-D). You will be able to demonstrate highly developed skills in the assessment, treatment and management of complex dysphagia. This may include tracheostomy management and use of videofluoroscopy in conjunction with excellent inter-personal communication, organisational and team work skills and be able to show evidence of continued professional development.

You will carry a complex clinical caseload as well as helping coordinate service development, training, pre and post-operative assessments / treatments and transfer of care to local and regional level. You will be working closely with the Neonatal MDT, patients, families and relevant Health and Social Care teams ensuring compliance against clinical drivers and standards, The post holder will join a highly supportive and innovative Adult and Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Service. The department offers comprehensive supervision in conjunction with a well established Continuing Professional Development program and access to regular staff meetings., To assess differentially diagnose and manage complex communication and swallowing breakdown relating to a wide range of conditions. Utilise highly specialist knowledge in line with local policies / protocols and professional guidelines. Provide specialist second opinions on request to other health and social care professionals. Build links with allied agencies across primary and secondary care improving local and regional care pathways across in / outpatient settings.

Diagnose, assess, treat and manage complex communication, swallowing, cognitive and emotional impairments. Ensure all patients have opportunities to improve their swallowing / communication function and decrease reliance on enteral feeds and communication aids.

Develop a rehabilitation care pathway focussing on education, enablement and empowerment of service users and their carers.

1. JOB DIMENSIONS

The post holder will :

Manage Highly Specialist caseloads ensuring their complex communication and swallowing needs are met safely.

Provide seamless pathway of care with locality services ensuring equitable citywide provision.

Manage local and regional complex caseloads.

Plan, coordinate and deliver medical education and training programs for health / social staff, patients, care providers, regional SLTs and students.

Act as patient advocate facilitating communication in order to secure compliance with Mental Capacity Act.

Audit caseloads and provision to measure value of input across this care pathway and evaluate alternative models of provision.

Optimise service provision by balancing provision between specialist Acute and Outpatient clinics.

• In-depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and evidence of highly specialist clinical expertise relevant to the specialism.

• Well established knowledge of RCSLT Professional and Clinical Guidelines / policies both locally and nationally in the specialism as well as relevant national strategy and drivers.

• Experience in conducting a range of assessments (VF preferred) to support diagnosis and management of patients presenting with complex dysphagia.

• Substantial SLT experience post qualification with significant experience working in the specialism of complex paediatric communication and feeding difficulties.

• Experience working at advanced level in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of the specialism.

• Experience in teaching competencies to less experienced Speech and Language Therapists.

• Experience in the provision of second opinions and advice to internal and external professional colleagues.

• Experience in delivering Communication and Swallowing training to SLT colleagues and other members of the MDT

• Experience of conducting clinical audit.

Desirable

• Has attended Clinical Supervisory Skills Course, or equivalent

• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, including audit cycle, continuous quality improvement and user involvement

• Experience in research / audit

• Line Management experience

• Experience in conducting appraisals

• Experience of working in Specialist MDTs and acting as a specialist SLT resource.

• Competence and experience in conducting, interpreting and analysing VFSS to support diagnosis and management of patients presenting with complex paediatric dysphagia.

• Assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of communication and feeding disorders associated with tracheostomy including ventilator assisted patients in a paediatric setting

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills. Active and empathetic listening / counselling skills

• Sensitive to the needs of others and has an awareness and responsiveness to other peoples feelings and needs

• Values differences; regards people as individuals and appreciates value of diversity in the workplace

• Able to work as part of a team, co-operating to work together and in conjunction with others and willing to help and assist wherever possible and appropriate.

• Able to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation.

• Able to work under pressure, dealing with peaks and troughs in workload.

• Positive attitude to dealing with change; flexible and adaptable, willing to change and accept change and to explore new ways of doing things and approaches

• Highly motivated and reliable

• Has a strong degree of personal integrity; able to adhere to standards of conduct based on a sense of right and wrong and be dependable and reliable

• Ability to formulate independent clinical decisions following assessment.

• Able to negotiate with client / carer and medical / AHP teams around individual case management

• Able to communicate complex, sensitive condition-related information from assessment to patients and carers

• Ability to give clear advice, instruction and training to patients, carers and other professionals relating to complex communication / swallowing disorders

• Good time management, organisational and prioritisation skills

• Well developed analytical, reflective, negotiation and problem solving skills.

Desirable

• Good organisational skills

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office

Other Criteria

Essential

• Must be willing to participate in any relevant training identified to develop skills required to carry out duties, * Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree accredited by RCSLT

• Health Professions Council license to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

• An extensive portfolio and evidence of advanced personal and advanced / highly specialist professional development with skills, experience and achieved outcomes.

Desirable

• EKSF / Appraisal training

• Advanced communication skills

• Post graduate training in VFSS

• Post graduate training in tracheostomy

• Neonatal feeding difficulties working within Level D RCSLT neonatal competencies

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