Bhsct Speech And Language Therapist: Advanced Practitioner Band 8A

Belfast Health And Social Care Trust; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is recruiting a Speech & Language Therapist - Advanced Practitioner Level 2/ Clinical Lead for CAC at Musgrave Park Hospital. The post requires leadership across a regional AAC service including strategic liaison and training delivery.

The role combines clinical assessment and intervention with regional governance, service development and cross-disciplinary collaboration, supporting staff and improving patient outcomes across Northern Ireland.

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy.
• Registered with HCPC.
• Member of RCSLT.
• Masters degree or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience.
• Experience supervising junior SLTs.
• Experience delivering training to parents or carers.
• Experience in multidisciplinary working.
• Full driving licence and access to a car.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and operational management for the CAC service.
• Lead regional AAC training and study days for SLTs and staff.
• Lead on development, delivery and evaluation of regional training on AAC.
• Initiate and lead on standards, policies and clinical governance.
• Collaborate with CAC and other trusts to co-produce service models.
• Provide expert clinical advice and second opinions within the CAC
• Develop and implement high-quality, patient-centered clinical practice.
• Manage a defined caseload of AAC clients and prepare specialist reports.
• Support recruitment, supervision and staff development within CAC.
• Lead monitoring of audit, quality measures and projects.

Skills

RCSLT member

HCPC registered

Driving licence

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Training delivery

Education

Degree in SLT

Masters degree

Job description

Advertised role location: MUSGRAVE PARK HOSPITAL Official document: Job Description / Personnel Specification (pdf) JOB DESCRIPTION POST: Speech and Language Therapist : Advanced Practitioner Level 2/ Clinical Lead CAC LOCATION: Based in CAC Musgrave Park Hospital will require travel across Northern Ireland BAND: 8A WTE: 1.0 REPORTS TO: Consultant AAC SLT in CAC RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Service - Speech & Language Therapy Job Summary / Main Purpose The post holder will: Provide clinical and operational management for a cohort of Staff within the CAC Service Lead on strategic liaison with Statutory /Voluntary agencies to enhance delivery of effective AAC intervention across the Region. Lead on the development, delivery and evaluation of regional training and specialist study days for Speech and Language Therapists, Health and Social Care staff, clients, carers, statutory and voluntary workers in the field of AAC Initiate and lead on specific developments in the AAC service which are evidence based, innovative and targeted to those most in need, measuring outcomes and effecting change and service improvement, as required. Initiate and lead on specific standards/ protocols/policies/clinical governance, in order to provide and maintain a clinically excellent service. Collaborate with the Consultant AAC SLT, service users and carers and private providers across N Ireland HSC Trusts to co-produce models of service provision that will build on existing services and/or introduce new models of AAC provision. Be an expert practitioner with advanced professional skills and qualifications Provide a consultative point of reference for specialist clinical advice, providing second opinion and support for speech and language therapists and other disciplines, both within and outside the Trust, in relation to complex clinical Develop and implement the highest quality innovative clinical practice that is patient centered and research based in accordance with professional practice guidelines and national and local benchmarks Provide direct assessment and intervention for the full range AAC clients on the caseload. Develop strong collaborative working relationships with SLT services in the 5 Health and Social Care Trusts in the Region, to support the development and implementation of a regional approach to AAC. Work with other disciplines and Agencies across the region and nationally, including RCSLT to promote and develop a collaborative approach to the management of AAC and quality of service provision. Manage and Contribute to regional working groups on AAC policy and processes. Actively develop and maintain working relationships within the CAC multidisciplinary team, Facilitate colleagues to manage change through strategic thinking, self-awareness and effective communication Undertake delegated responsibility, as required, for the service. Main Duties / Responsibilities For each of the following, the post holder will: Clinical Responsibilities Undertake the Advanced Practitioner role in the provision of assessment, diagnosis and management of people requiring AAC Work closely with AAC Users, their carers and others involved to ensure the delivery of a flexible, targeted service, sensitive to need. Provide advice and second opinions to colleagues within the CAC Team, and across the region on the management of AAC Implement and lead on service development, innovation and innovative technologies and practice in the specialist area. Develop and maintain links with professional bodies relevant to the clinical specialism. Provide specialist reports for referring Trusts, Annual Reviews, Tribunals, as required. Clinical Management Responsibilities Lead on and develop aspects of the Regional CAC service Advise the Consultant AAC SLT in the service on changes/trends within the clinical speciality. Investigate and implement service models and evaluate outcomes, according to the evidence base, in consultation with the Consultant AAC SLT. Lead as delegated on business planning, quality, audit and research for SLT service delivery within the specialty. Use specialist knowledge to inform service/policy development as appropriate. Take a lead on development of objectives or projects relating to clinical specialist area and support peers in its implementation. Undertake lead responsibility for administrative and clinical audit within the specialist area and input to audit planning within the clinical specialism, ensuring regular evaluation of the user’s experience of the CAC service. Develop links with therapists in similar posts across N Ireland and the UK to ensure comparable service development and standards of care. Undertake general management responsibilities in respect of recruitment, selection, induction, staff development, and staff supervision within the CAC Service as delegated. Be responsible the Performance and Development Review of designated staff, in line with Trust policy and in association with the Consultant AAC SLT. Clinical Governance Promote and work within the Trust’s systems of clinical governance demonstrating an awareness of the issues such as adherence to policy, guidelines and professional standards, and lead on aspects of clinical governance as delegated by the Consultant AAC SLT. Lead on aspects of local and national audit and quality measures as delegated by the Consultant AAC SLT. Lead as delegated on the development and implementation of policy, care protocols and care pathways relating to the specialist area and lead on projects as required. Lead as delegated in the development of innovations in areas of risk management and quality standard setting in collaboration with the Consultant AAC SLT and the Speech and Language Therapy Service Manager. Develop networks and liaise with SLTs working with similar caseloads Nationally, regionally and within the Trust, to facilitate best practice, service improvement and benchmarking of services. Be responsible for the care and maintenance of equipment within the specialty, ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained. Research, Quality, Evaluation and Audit Participate in the planning and delivery of research, quality and audit programmes/projects. Ensure that all research and clinical audit projects are carried out in line with Trust R&D and audit policies. Implement quality standards, professional and national clinical guidance in relation to the clinical speciality and review standards of care in line with evidence-based practice and national and professional clinical guidelines. Contribute to and take delegated responsibility for the revision of standards and policies relating to the service and the specialty in line with professional and national clinical guidelines. Liaise with patient and specialty focus groups to monitor patient views with regard to specialty service delivery. Teaching, Training and Clinical Supervision Lead on the identification of the AAC training needs of SLTs, Multidisciplinary Teams, families and carers across the Region. Devise, deliver and evaluate training programmes, based on the training needs identified, including needs of parents/carers and AAC Support Teams. Respond to AAC training needs arising across the region, having input to post graduate medical and nursing training schemes and to other professions. Facilitate the development of CAC staff through peer review and supervision. Provide specialist clinical placements for Speech and Language Therapy students. Provide second opinions to SLT colleagues across the Region. Advisory Undertake advisory responsibilities in relation to the caseload within and across multi-disciplinary teams. Provide advisory support for non-specialist, specialising and specialist SLTs working with the caseload. Professional Development Maintain Registered Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council, thereby adhering to the standards laid down for continuing professional development. Participate in annual staff development reviews. Maintain a high level of clinical knowledge and skill through a programme of continuous professional development. Core Responsibilities Adhere to relevant National, Trust and Departmental policies and procedures regarding clinical and administrative practice. Conform to the Trust Health and Safety Standards and comply with local policies and training requirements. Maintain patient records in line with Trust Standards and Departmental Policy. Work within the recognised guidelines and legal requirements for children. Provide a high standard of reporting. Be responsible for managing a defined caseload. Provide patient statistics in a prompt and competent manner. Be responsible for effective time management. Attend and contribute at staff meetings. Be responsible for the general upkeep of the Department equipment. Contribute to external training courses for income generation. Be proactive in seeking funding opportunities for study leave in consultation with the Speech and Language Therapy Services Manager. Maintain up to date records of all annual leave, sick leave, and study leave, reporting absence in line with Trust and Departmental policy. Maintain appropriate annual registration with the professional body and biannual registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. Contribute to Department and specialist projects, reporting progress regularly to the SLT Assistant Manager. Undertake any other duties as required by the Speech and Language Therapy Services Manager. The post holder may be required to work weekends, evenings and statutory days. In response to continued service development, the duties of the post may be conducted over a 7 day period. General Responsibilities Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and: At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner. Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them. Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy. Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations. Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment. Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision. Maintain high standards of personal accountability. Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct. The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable. The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure it is managed correctly under the Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy, and ensure that feedback/learning is communicated at individual, team and organisational level regarding the concerns raised, and how they were resolved. Information Governance All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt. For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR Environmental Cleaning Strategy The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognises the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public. Infection Prevention and Control The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff. This includes: Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’); Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique; Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment; Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet); Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry; Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised; Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions. Personal Public Involvement Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI). Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION JOB TITLE / BAND: Speech & Language Therapist - Advanced Practitioner Level2/ Clinical Lead CAC DEPT / DIRECTORATE: Speech & Language Therapy - Adult Community, Older People’s Services and AHPs Notes to applicants: 1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria. 2. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria. 3. Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn. ESSENTIAL CRITERIA The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below. Factor Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications Registration Experience Degree/Diploma in Speech & Language Therapy. Registered Member of RCSLT. Current registration with HCPC. Masters Degree or equivalent qualification gained through attendance at relevant postgraduate short courses Minimum of 5 years post qualification experience working as a speech & language therapist with a complex AAC caseload. Experience in development and supervision of fully qualified speech and language therapists working as junior colleagues within a team. Significant experience in delivering training programmes to parents or carers, SLTs and other professionals. Significant experience of multidisciplinary working Other (e.g. Driving etc.) Must have a full driving licence and have access to the use of a car for the duties of the post. ‘Where disability prohibits driving, this criteria will be waived if the applicant is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements.’ Shortlisting by Application Form Knowledge Skills Abilities See Job description Interview DESIRABLE CRITERIA Desirable criteria will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application