Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To demonstrate specialist clinical skills in the assessment and intervention of language disorder which may include Developmental Language Disorder / Language Disorder associated with a bio-medical condition e.g., Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy.

To contribute to the formulation and review/update of clinical care pathways.

To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment, seeking advice when appropriate. Written reports / care plans will be completely in a timely manner to service users and appropriate agencies.

To demonstrate high level of clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures. To be a source of expertise and hold knowledge of best evidence-based practice in a specialist clinical area that will be shared with other team members.

To monitor and review the progress of therapy programmes and care plans implemented and facilitate modifications of interventions/targets as appropriate.

To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload and workload management.

To adapt practice to meet individual clients’ circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.

To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management for prolonged periods. In particular, to monitor auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of client’s communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived client needs including cultural and linguistic differences.

To ensure maximum involvement of the family / carer, education staff and other professional staff and where appropriate the client in the therapy programme. To provide therapy intervention as part of an integrated team.

To work alongside school aged educators and SLT assistants in delivering jointly planned programmes of intervention for speech, language, communication, and educational achievement.

To maintain and develop effective and innovative partnership arrangements with other agencies to ensure care pathways for clients are integrated.

To maintain a clinical caseload in accordance with priorities of service.

To participate in the co-ordination, development and delivery of training programmes and information packages for colleagues in health, education, voluntary sector organizations and parents / carers.

To respond to the requirements of relevant legislation by providing advice and a detailed report as part of proceedings including such as Education Health Care Plans, Individual Integrated Care Plans, Annual Reviews and transition planning.

To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seeks advice and support to resolve.

To supervise the work of newly qualified therapists, assistants/therapy support staff/administration, clerical staff, learning support assistants and SLT students.

To monitor and evaluate own service delivery accessing clinical supervision on a planned basis.

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate through mentoring, peer support, clinical and managerial supervision.

To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines, and interruptions.

To assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including leading working groups within area of service, attending multi-professional meetings relating to the service.

To advise line manager on issues of service delivery, including shortfall, service pressures etc within the team.

To refer on to other agencies as appropriate.

Please see Job Description for full details.