Specialist Speech and Language Therapist AAC (Band 6)

at  North Bristol NHS Trust

To plan and complete thorough assessments of patients AAC needs in conjunction with other members of the multi professional team. Assessment involves Identifying patients strengths needs Assessing functional communication skills and communicative competence Assessing patients competence to use technology Assessment of support environment and how this will impact on patients ability to make long term use of communication equipment. Identifying appropriate hardware and software to meet patients communication needs. Identifying appropriate low tech systems to be developed as required.
Setting appropriate communication goals for trial of equipment Prescription of appropriate communication aids for long term use. To manage own clinical caseload to the standards and guidelines set by HCPC and CQC Live. To provide specialist assessment, clinical advice and care plans to patients with communication difficulties To provide support for people using augmentative and alternative methods of communication, and advice and training to carers and professionals. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by the use of evidence-based practice, clear therapy plans and outcome measures.
To negotiate with carers/patients/others around individual case management, ensuring patient involvement. To recognise potential breakdown/conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support to resolve. Where appropriate, to refer patients on to other services and agencies, and to liaise with members of voluntary organisations concerned with the patient group. To produce complex clinical written reports that present specialist clinical information, which is accessible for carers and/or patients and other professional colleagues, following each assessment To attend and actively participate in all departmental team meetings as requested by manager and / or clinical lead.
To inform other professionals about suitable resources that they may wish to purchase to suit the needs of their client groups. To provide remote assistance and advice to other professionals within the region and beyond, by answering telephone, written, e mail and website queries as they arise. Also to remotely access communication aids on loan to troubleshoot software problems if required to do so. To contribute to the support of less experienced SLTs, as appropriate To participate in the active process of CPD To comply with resource management processe

Please refer the Job description for details