Speech And Language Therapist, Clinical Specialist Stroke Rehabilitation Team

Purpose of the post

The Speech and Language Clinical Specialist will be responsible forthe effective and efficient delivery of an evidenced based, person-centred, quality Speech and Language Therapy Service to patients presenting with communication and swallowing disorders arising from stroke

The CS SLT will be a key member of the stroke team operating within the model of stroke unit care in line with the National Clinical Program in stroke and the framework of the National Neurorehabilitation Strategy.

The CS SLT will assist and upskill as required in the conducting of instrumental assessments such as VFSS and FEES for objective dysphagia evaluation and management.

The CSSLT will take a lead role in supporting communication for assisted decision making in line with the ADMCA 2015.

As a member of the Stroke Unit Team, the post holder will be responsible together with the SRU team for planning, developing, co-ordinating and evaluating the stroke service to meet the needs of the service user and the objectives of Stroke Unit Care and the Neurorehabilitation Program.

Principal duties and responsibilities

The Speech and Language Therapist, Clinical Specialist will:

Professional / Clinical

· Identify and prioritise the requirements of the service within a constantly changing environment.

· Ensure that professional standards are maintained through clinical audit, supervision and training.

· Operate within the scope of Speech and Language Therapy practice as per CORU requirements and in accordance with local guidelines.

· Keep abreast of research and practice developments in relevant clinical areas. Lead and facilitate research projects relevant to the specialist area.

· Develop guidelines for safe and effective Speech and Language Therapy practice related to the stroke rehabilitation.

· Act as an advanced clinical advisor to colleagues and others.

· Be responsible for a clinical caseload.

· Demonstrate advanced proficiency in the ability to assess and prioritise clients according to clinical needs using clinical reasoning skills.

· Ensure a high standard of Speech and Language Therapy assessment, treatment and management to provide for clients under his/her care and ensure that professional standards of practice are adhered to.

· Prioritise and maximise effectiveness of intervention using available resources to ensure service demands are optimally met e.g., appropriate delegation and onward referral.

· Collaborate and effectively communicate with the Speech and Language Therapy Manager and the multidisciplinary team regarding referral pathways to the specialist area and client management to ensure a safe effective and efficient service.

· Demonstrate advanced knowledge of Neurorehabilitation and Stroke care pathways appropriate to clients availing of the service and proactively work with colleagues to design and implement processes to improve flow for clients.

· Take a key role in discharge planning.

· Ensure the privacy and dignity of the individual is respected at all times.

· Work within the multidisciplinary team ethos and liaise with staff to ensure effective communication.

· Promote changes in work practices, procedures, techniques or technology having regard to the development of best practice and advanced practice in Speech and Language Therapy.

· Communicate with other clinical specialists nationally and internationally to further develop clinical excellence and research.

· Serve on and advise such committees that may be set up relevant to the area of clinical speciality.

Education and Training

· Participate in mandatory training programmes.

· Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.

· Engage in peer support with Speech and Language Therapist colleagues.

· Engage in professional clinical Speech and Language Therapist supervision.

· Be responsible, in partnership with the SLT Manager, for the practice education of student therapists through provision of placements and through support for therapists who are practice educators within their departments.

· Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with the SLT Manager.

Health and Safety

· Promote a safe working environment in accordance with Health and Safety legislation.

· Be aware of and implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

· Be aware of risk management issues. Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.

· Document appropriately and report any adverse incidents, near misses, hazards and accidents in accordance with organisational guidelines.

· Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

· Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Management

· Responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of service

· Review and allocate resources within the designated area, in collaboration with relevant others.

· Advise the Speech and Language Therapy Manager on matters relevant to the optimal functioning of the Speech and Language Therapy Service in the stroke care and in service development of the Speech and Language Therapy Department.

· Assist in the setting and monitoring of clinical standards, policies and procedures, evaluation of clinical practice, quality control and clinical audit.

· Foster and lead a culture and practice of; evaluating service outcomes; data collection; implementing quality improvement initiatives as appropriate.

· Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, organisational requirements and the Freedom of Information Act, GDPR, and render reports and other information / statistics as required.

· Develop and implement strategic service and business plans, quality initiatives etc. based on up-to-date evidence-based practice and report on outcomes.

· Be responsible for the succession planning/sustainability of new service developments.

· Put in place evaluating mechanisms appropriate to the specialist area and continually audit and evaluate the service with a view to maximising effectiveness, efficiency and quality.

· Work within the multidisciplinary team and liaise with staff to ensure effective communication.

· Communicate with other clinical specialists nationally and internationally to further develop clinical excellence and research.

· Serve on and provide specialist advice to committees / working groups that may be set up relevant to the area of clinical speciality.

· Represent the department / team at meetings and conferences as appropriate.

· Liaise with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager regarding the needs, interests and views of Speech and Language Therapy staff.

· Promote good team working, and a culture that values diversity and respect.

· Engage in IT developments as they apply to service user and service administration.

· Keep up to date with developments within the organisation and the wider Health Service.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must have at the latest date of application:

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(a) Candidates for appointment must:

(i) Be registered, or be eligible for registration, on the Speech and Language Therapist Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU.

AND

(ii) Have five years full time (or an aggregate of five years) post registration qualification experience of which four years full time (or an aggregate of four years) post qualification clinical experience must be in the area of Specialism.

AND

(iii) Demonstrate a proven record of clinical excellence.

AND

(iv) Professional Development and Practice

Candidates must demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the required area of specialism, in the form of post-graduate qualifications or relevant courses.

AND

Candidates must demonstrate achievement in the areas of clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives, practice development, teaching and research.

AND

(v) Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, management, leadership and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

AND

(vi) Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued.

2. Annual registration

(i) On appointment practitioners must maintain annual registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU

AND

(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC)

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post specific requirements

Candidates must:

· Evidence of dysphagia qualification or equivalent as outlined in “Standards of Practice for Speech & Language Therapists, on the Management of Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)” Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT) 2015.

· Experience in conducting, interpreting and reporting instrumental swallowing assessments e.g., video fluoroscopic swallow studies and/or FEES (fibre optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) must be demonstrated.

· Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience of working in Stroke / Neuro-rehabilitation

· Demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in the field of stroke related speech and language therapy. This may include post-graduate specific training/education.

• Demonstrate experience in service development and/or quality improvements or other relevant improvement initiatives as relevant to the role.

Other requirements specific to the post

AAC knowledge and experience as well as knowledge and training relevant to the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act are desirable but not essential.

Additional eligibility requirements:

Citizenship requirements

Eligible candidates must be:

(i) EEA, Swiss, or British citizens

OR

(ii) Non-European Economic Area citizens with permission to reside and work in the State

Read Appendix 2 of the Additional Campaign Information for further information on accepted Stamps for Non-EEA citizens resident in the State, including those with refugee status.

To qualify candidates must be eligible by the closing date of the campaign.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate:

Professional Knowledge and Experience

· Demonstrates an advanced level of clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning skills and evidence-based practice appropriate to carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the role in line with relevant legislation and standards.

· Demonstrates an ability to apply specialist knowledge to best practice.

· Demonstrates evidence of having applied / used appropriate assessment tools and treatments and a knowledge of the implications of outcomes for service users, particularly those with complex needs in the specialist area.

· Demonstrate a willingness to engage and develop IT skills relevant to the role.

Planning and Managing Resources

· Balances clinical work with other research and educational responsibilities.

· Provides flexible interventions to meet the varied needs of individual service users.

· Demonstrates the ability to plan and manage the delivery of an optimum service in an effective and resourceful manner, within a model of person-centred care.

· Demonstrates a high level of initiative, flexibility and adaptability in response to workforce demands.

· Promotes the delivery of a holistic, user-focused approach, which encompasses a multi-professional and inter-professional perspective.

Managing and Developing (Self and Others)

· Demonstrates advanced leadership and team skills including the ability to lead by example.

· Demonstrates a commitment to managing and developing self and others in a busy working environment.

· Deals positively and constructively with obstacles and conflict within teams.

· Demonstrates commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) and facilitates staff development by providing support such as; supervising, mentoring, coaching and formal development planning. Develops and/or implements systems to support a CPD culture within the service.

Commitment to providing a Quality Service

· Leads on the design, delivery and implementation of a high quality, person centred service.

· Designs and develops new, innovative and non-traditional service delivery models which aim to promote a comprehensive and integrated quality service within evolving healthcare structures, overcoming any resource limitations.

· Demonstrates and promotes collaborate working relationships as well as having the ability to work independently and exercise a high degree of professional autonomy.

· Displays awareness and appreciation of service users and the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect.

Evaluating Information and Judging Situations

· Exercises a high degree of professional autonomy in the analysis of highly complex facts or situations that contribute to the implementation of a treatment or management strategy for the service user.

· Demonstrates the ability to effectively analyse and critically evaluate complex information and make appropriate decisions.

· Explains the rationale behind decisions confidently when faced with opposing or competing demands. Is objective but also aware of sensitivities in their approach.

· Regularly quantifies and evaluates activities against service plans and takes timely action to correct potential difficulties and/or to respond to changing needs. Recognises how service constraints impact on service delivery.

Communications and Interpersonal Skills

· Displays effective communication skills (written and verbal) e.g. presents written information in a clear, concise and well-structured manner / communicates complex information by tailoring the communication method and the message to match the needs of the audience.

· Demonstrates sound interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of people, colleagues, families, carers etc.

· Demonstrates sensitivity, diplomacy and tact when dealing with others and is patient and tolerant when dealing with conflict or negative attitudes from others.

Demonstrates strong negotiation skills, remains firm but flexible when putting forward a point of view.

Campaign specific selection process

Ranking/shortlisting / interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out based on information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore, it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not progressing to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process, where applied, will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills, talents, diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success – we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience.

The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age, civil status, disability, ethnicity and race, family status, gender, membership of the Traveller community, religion and sexual orientation are respected, valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice, bias and discrimination are not tolerated.

The HSE welcomes people with diverse backgrounds and offers a range of supports and resources to staff, such as those who require a reasonable accommodation at work because of a disability or long-term health condition.

Read more about the HSE’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Code of practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles to be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards to be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

Read the CPSA Code of Practice.

The reform programme outlined for the health services may impact on this role, and as structures change the job specification may be reviewed.

This job specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

PLEASE COMPLETE AND UPLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM ATTACHED TO THE JOB ADVERT. CVs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS POSITION