Speech & Language Therapist (Band 5)

at  Airedale NHS Foundation Trust

Provide timely and efficient speech and language therapy to patients according to clinical protocols and service priorities underpinned by evidence-based practice to inform autonomous clinical decision making. Ensure patients receive a high standard of clinical care and that you meet the standards expected from Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). Use investigative and analytical skills to undertake a comprehensive speech and language therapy assessment of the patient. Reflect on complex facts gathered or situations presented and use analysis and judgment skills to consider options for interventions, and outcomes.
Formulate individual management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills within speech and language therapy care. Implement speech and language therapy interventions / care packages in partnership with the service user, with the carer as necessary and in consultation with colleagues. Plan and organise to carry out assessment and interventions in the most appropriate setting. Monitor and evaluate the outcome of interventions in partnership with the service user if possible, with the carer if necessary and in consultation with colleagues.
Collaborate with the MDT to improve patient pathways and attend MDT meetings. Respond to unforeseen situations that take precedence over planned work. Provide advice, teaching and instruction for relatives, carers, and other health professionals to promote understanding of the aims of stroke rehabilitation speech and language therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care. Provide specialist advice to therapy and dietetic colleagues working within other clinical areas across the Trust.
Support the development of assistants and students. Use highly developed communication skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, service users and carers. Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills and sensitivity with patients, relatives and carers to overcome barriers to communication e.g. loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain, anxiety, tracheotomy, problems with cognition.
Deal effectively with complex, sensitive or contentious communications with support of a senior therapist. To work with adults with Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) needs at a basic level, with guidance from AAC Specialist colleagues. To work with adult patients with dysphagia, at a basic level, with appropriate support and guidance from dysphagia trained colleagues. To maintain up-to-date patient records in line with departmental standards.
To provide courtroom ready written reports / advice for relevent agencies as appropriate. To flexibly deliver Speech and Language interventions in: Acute settings Outpatient / community settings Across hospital, clinic and local authority settings

Please refer the Job description for details