Job description

Job responsibilities

Job title: Lead Speech & Language Therapist

Directorate: Operations

Reports to: Service Manager Livability Icanho

Supervises: Speech & Language Therapist(s); Rehabilitation Assistants, Students

Purpose of the job:

To ensure the systematic provision of a high quality clinical Speech & Language Therapy [SLT] service within Livability Icanho, and to be responsible for the governance of SLT practice within the service.

To ensure that systems are in place and working effectively for the clinical and professional supervision and support of all SLTs within Icanho, and have responsibility for maintaining student placements.

To establish good working links/network with other relevant services/universities, and to act as a highly specialist resource to the wider professional community.

To contribute to the overall direction and development of the interdisciplinary team/service at Livability Icanho

Main duties:

To provide highly specialist clinical SLT assessment of clients, based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of data from a variety of sources.

To formulate and implement plans with individuals, groups, families and carers for the formal treatment and/or management of a clients communication problems, including discharge planning.

To participate in interdisciplinary and multiagency meetings concerning the delivery and development of clinical services for clients.

To provide highly specialist SLT consultation, supervision and advice to other disciplines on the management of communication disorders of Icanho clients, and ensure that the clinical team has access to a model/ framework for understanding and care of clients.

To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and to provide advice to other professions on communication aspects of risk assessment and risk management; and to comply with Livability/Icanho Health and Safety policies in order to ensure that a safe working environment is maintained for clients, carers, staff and visitors.

To manage SLT resources used in assessment and treatment; and ensure appropriate and safe use of equipment, and appropriate stock control.

To advise on/participate in the recruitment of SLT staff at Icanho, and, in the recruitment and selection of staff in other disciplines as required.

To initiate and contribute to service development within Icanho.

To develop and take part in educational sessions for carers, families and other agencies as required, and participate in internal education, case reviews and peer support.

To ensure the provision of clinical and professional supervision and appraisal of SLTs at Icanho; and to receive regular clinical and professional supervision from an expert with appropriate experience and, where appropriate other senior professional colleagues in line with RCSLT/HCPC guidelines.

To take an active role in the process of CPD, both in maintaining a personal CPD log and providing post-qualification training (CPD) to other members of the team as appropriate. This will include maintaining knowledge and skills relevant to SLT, and clinical supervision.

To ensure that SLTs at Icanho maintain an up to date knowledge of legislation, local and national policies and issues in relation to people with acquired brain injury; and maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing.

To use computer based tools of analysis, spreadsheets, databases and statistical packages as necessary, and ensure accurate information for data collection.

To make use of relevant technology as part of therapy delievery e.g. apps and computer software.

To be aware of relevant development and research in the field of brain injury rehabilitation locally, nationally and internationally; and ensure that all SLTs at Icanho use theory, evidence based literature and research to support evidence based practice in their work.

To ensure that SLTs engage in practice development, evaluation and audit activities to promote evidence based practice.

To be responsible for the exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice; promote SLT at all levels; and maintain and develop the profile of the profession with Icanho.

To undertake visits clients homes, local communities and to complex case reviews in out-of-county centres, as required.

Working relationships and contacts

Internal: All staff in the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre

External:

ü ICBs

ü Primary, secondary and tertiary care organisations

ü Social Care Services

ü Housing Departments

ü Education Services

ü Employment Services

ü Voluntary Organisations

ü Private Organisations

ü Lawyers and independent case managers

ü Local community resources as required.

ü Other NHS and Voluntary Sector Mental Health Service

Safeguarding

Livability is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, young people and children and expects all employees to share this commitment and follow our safeguarding policies and procedures.

Equality and diversity

Livability is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Livability aims to create and sustain an inclusive work environment which provides equality of opportunity for everyone and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The post holder is required to uphold the Equality and Diversity policy and comply with the code of conduct which sets out our standards of behaviour towards those who use our services or work within them.

Christian ethos and values

The post holder must carry out all duties in a manner which is consistent with Livability values which are based on an inclusive Christian ethos.

Policies and procedures

The post holder must also maintain the policies, procedures and practices of the organisation and as far as possible, must ensure that all activities within the work setting are consistent with those values, policies, procedure and practices.

Confidentiality

The post holder must ensure that any information relating to employees, service users and volunteers (future, current and past) is treated in strictest confidence and must be discussed only within the confines of the work setting with the appropriate members of the team or managers.

Health and safety

The post holder must be familiar with Livability Health and Safety policies and guidelines. All work should be undertaken so as to be consistent with these, and so as to ensure own health and safety and that of others affected by their work.

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact: [email protected]

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree /Professional SLT qualification
• HPCP registration
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• Member of RCSLT

Experience

Essential

• At least 5 years experience working in neurology
• Experience of specialist SLT assessment and treatment of clients across the range of care settings
• Supervision of other SLTs/ students
• Experience of Interdisciplinary Team working.
• Experience of leadership within a clinical setting.
• Experience of supervising clinical professionals & trainees
• Experience of presenting/teaching to range of audiences
• Experience working in ABI
• Presenting/teaching to a wide range of audiences
• Skills in the use of complex methods of assessment, intervention and management of communication disorders.
• Use of technology within communication assessment/therapy
• Excellent communication written and spoken
• Well developed skills in communicating sensitive or complex information
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups
• Well developed critical appraisal and reflective practice skills
• Organisational and prioritisation skills
• Ability to work well with individuals at all levels both within and outside the organisation.
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised communication assessment and therapies
• Knowledge of neurology, the brain and brain injury
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to people with Acquired Brain Injury, including MCA and DOLs.
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate to support and maintain clinical practice.
• Sound understanding of clinical and information governance
• Ability to work well with individuals at all levels both within and outside the organisation.
• Current driving licence and use of a car.
• Willingness to undertake home visits, if necessary

Desirable

• Experience of different cultural contexts
• Clinical skills of working with couples and families
• Experience of undertaking and audit and research.
• Presenting/teaching to a wide range of audiences
• Experience in medico-legal work/working with case managers
• Knowledge of local neurorehabilitation pathway
• Knowledge of local and national strategy and development in the field of AB

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

Livability Icanho

Address

Chilton Way

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP14 1SZ