Speech and Language Therapist | Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

Walsall Healthcare Speech and Language Therapy Department has a permanent vacancy for a full-time band 5 therapist within the paediatric service. We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and creative therapist who is passionate about making a difference for children and young people with speech, language, and communication needs. We welcome applications from newly qualified and experienced therapists. We provide an induction programme and regular supervision from experienced clinicians to support ongoing development to complete the transitional framework.

The role is in a range of community settings including nurseries and schools, clinics and homes. The successful applicant should be keen to develop their skills working with children with a range of developmental and acquired conditions. You are required to travel within the area. Travel expenses are subsidised.

The successful applicant will work closely with therapists and assistant support workers. The dynamic and supportive team values working with service-users to improve outcomes for children with speech, language, and communication needs. There is a focus on a multi-disciplinary team working. The team lead on new initiatives and have an excellent reputation for partnership working.

Walsall SLT service is a district-wide, integrated service, with a professional head of service. The service sits within a forward thinking allied health professionals care group.

The post holder will be required to assess speech, language and communication needs and deliver speech and language therapy to children and young people with a diverse range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), including those with Special Educational Needs (SEND), across a range of settings and organisations. The role will require you to be able to communicate to a range of different people in both verbal and written forms.

The successful candidate will work within a highly supportive team and the post will provide the opportunity to work in close partnership with education and health colleagues in other services.

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular supervision. The benefits of working in Walsall include the small size of the area and the opportunity to become part of a well-established team. You will be just a short distance from major cities and excellent motorway networks making Walsall a perfect place to explore the surrounding areas.

Walsall speech and language therapy team is dynamic and highly supportive. Working closely in partnership with service users, and with other agencies the service strives to provide high quality care, leading in new initiatives and service improvements. The service forms part of a wider allied health professionals care group where the unique nature of the SLT role is celebrated and promoted, with associated training and learning opportunities.

The Speech and Language Therapy team is strongly committed to clinical governance, personal and professional development and multi-disciplinary working. The team hold regular team and professional meetings, provide robust clinical supervision and promote CPD training opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

COMMUNICATION

• Communicates complex condition specific information from assessment to clients, carers and multi-disciplinary team members.


• Contributes to clinical teams - both multi-disciplinary and uni-disciplinary working across organisations - through the development of appropriate care plans.


• Promotes the role and understanding of the profession within the local community.


• Provides clear and concise written reports in line with departmental standards.


• Provides advice training and support to others regarding the appropriate management and care of clients.


• May respond initially to complaints reporting to Head of Service on all occasions., Understands and adheres to National and Local clinical guidelines.


• Understands legislation as it relates to the clinical area.


• Understands and adheres to Trust policies relevant to the service area.


• Identifies areas for own personal/professional portfolio developed within an appraisal framework.


• To participate in the development and training of other professionals with support from senior colleagues.


• To provide work based observations for students from SLT and other relevant professional groups.


• Applies professional knowledge obtained through 1stdegree level qualifications to clinical practice.


• Applies knowledge obtained through post-graduate short courses.


ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENT SKILLS

• Makes appropriate clinical decisions regarding assessment and intervention, with access to a supervisor as required.


• Defines a differential diagnosis based on assessment findings.


• Participates in departmental research and audit projects.


• Refers client on to other services as appropriate.


• Identifies risk and reports to Supervisor.


PLANNING AND ORGANISATION

• Manages own time and prioritises workload.


• Manages caseload within departmental standards, seeking support from senior colleagues as appropriate.


RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLIENT CARE

• Assesses, develops and implements SLT treatments.


• Negotiates with carers/clients around individual case management, recognising breakdown/conflict when this occurs and seeks appropriate advice.


• Maintains timely and accurate client records in line with the Trust and Departmental records management policy.


• Demonstrates clinical effectiveness by the use of evidence based practice and outcome measures.


RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY OR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

• Contributes to the development of the Annual report and Service Development Plan.


• Understands and adheres to the Service Development plan.


• Understands and adheres to policies and professional standards.


FREEDOM TO ACT

• Works independently, accessing supervision within an appraisal framework. In the first year post following qualification this will be part of the Newly Qualified Therapists transitional framework.


• Accountable for own professional actions.


• Recognises professional boundaries and seeks advice as appropriate.


Other Duties

The information supplied above is intended to summarise the key responsibilities and duties of the role. The post holder may be required from time to time to carry out other reasonable requests and duties as required, consistent with the responsibilities of their Banding and development as agreed between employee and manager.