Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our team. The post is a permanent post to cover Hearing Impairment specific work, community clinics and complex needs caseloads in the Community Paediatric Speech & Language Therapy Team in the South East Staffs area.The post involves managing an individual caseload. There will be travel required to meet the post requirements within the South East Staffs area. This post would be suitable for experienced band 5 or band 6 Therapists who are looking for the opportunity to further develop leadership skills.
This is a specialised post for children in community settings, pre-school and school settings. The post includes Hearing Impairment specific work and assessment and management of speech, language and communication difficulties of children in the most relevant setting.
The post holder’s clinical specialism for this post will be children complex developmental profiles and alternative and augmentative communication systems.
There is a requirement for flexible working and a willingness to take on different responsibilities according to the needs of the service, including research in the identified clinical area and the provision of training within the Speech and Language Team and to other service providers when required.
Main duties of the job- To assess, diagnose and manage the communication difficulties of children in health centres, pre school settings and schools.
- To advise and support parents/carers, and educators regarding the speech, language and communication difficulties of their children supported by the North Staffordshire Risk Matrix.
- To provide written programmes to support therapy including demonstration of identified targets when required.
- To work closely with the multi-disciplinary teams as required to inform and support patient care.
- To provide written advice to contribute to the assessment and review process undertaken by the Local Authority for children who have or may have special educational needs.
- To contribute to the development of Individual Education Plans for specific children.
- To offer second opinions and provide general clinical support particularly in the area of children with complex developmental profiles and alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- To support and train undergraduate Speech and Language Therapy students during their clinical placements in the department.
- To liaise with relevant medical, nursing, social services, voluntary sector and educational colleagues about children on the caseload and inform senior clinicians and the Team Leader about any issues regarding the management of cases.
- To contribute to audit and planning process of clinical caseloads across the area covered by the service.
Working for our organisation
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;- Supporting your career development and progression
- Excellent NHS Pension scheme
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
- Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
- Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
- Free flu vaccinations every year
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post is part of the South East Speech and Language Therapy Paediatric team and requires an active contribution to team working and management of the caseload across the service as a whole.
The Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service is able to offer:
- regular Clinical Support Groups and team meetings;
- professional development via our appraisal system;
- routine clinical/managerial supervision;
- in-service training and excellent library facilities.
We offer excellent training and development opportunities, a friendly working environment and flexible working arrangements.
If you are interested and would like further information please contact Paula Simpson, Team Leader for Children's Speech and Language Therapy on 01782 234485.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Degree level qualification in Speech & Language Therapy
- HCPC registered
- UK experience
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working with children with complex developmental profiles and alternative and augmentative communication systems.
- Experience of working with children with hearing impairment
- Provision of training for parents, carers and staff working with preschool and school age children.
- Experience of assessment, diagnosis and writing of EHCP’s
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Knowledge of EHCP processes and responsibilities
- Basic understanding of current Educational Policies including the Code of Practice, Statutory Assessment of Special Educational Needs and of Inclusion
Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to manage time and caseload effectively
- Ability to travel to meet the needs of the service.
- Self-confidence and flexibility