SHSCT Speech and Language Therapist Band 7

Advertised role location: Craigavon Area Hosp-Main Building
Official document: Job Description / Personnel Specification (doc)
Advanced Practitioner
Speech and Language Therapist
Band 7
Acute Hospital Services

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE Advanced Practitioner Speech and Language Therapist –Acute services

BAND Band 7

DEPARTMENT/LOCATION Craigavon Hospital

DIRECTORATE Cancer and Clinical Services, Acute

REPORTS TO Speech and Language Therapy Adult Services Clinical Lead

ACCOUNTABLE TO Head of AHP’s Acute Services

RESPONSIBLE TO Head of Adult Speech & Language
Services

JOB SUMMARY

The Post holder will function fully as an integral member of the specialist acute hospital multi-disciplinary teams, with responsibility to manage and independently provide a highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapy service to adults with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties, in acute hospital setting including frailty.

The postholder will be required to:

develop and deliver a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy service to meet the needs of adults referred to the Acute SLT Service, working as an autonomous practitioner.

promote collaborative working practices in both Health & Social Care and work as an integral member of multidisciplinary teams / Services.

Assist in the development of interagency and partnership working between the statutory, hospital, community and voluntary sectors to ensure the development of a collaborative approach to the management of the Acute SLT service.

provide specialist clinical assessment and advice, teaching, guidance, supervision and support to less experienced Speech and Language Therapy colleagues, other professionals and unqualified workers

Work on a day-to-day basis with adults presenting with severely impaired communication and / or swallowing, which may include objective swallow assessments.

to communicate and work closely and effectively with clients, carers, ward teams and other professionals, demonstrating highly developed interpersonal skills including empathy, negotiation and counselling skills. This post may involve working closely within ED and with frailty caseloads.

to collate data to support role of SLT and input to service planning, delivery, evaluation and development of SLT Services within acute hospital services.
to undertake research, development and audit activities in relation to the Clinical Specialty including frailty.

This service is provided across the Southern Health and Social Care Trust in accordance with local and national guidelines.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

Responsible for the planning and management of own specialist clinical caseload involving:

assessment, differential diagnosis and prognosis
formulation of individual treatment plans
writing assessment reports
providing appropriate specialist interventions with advice to clients, carers and staff
evaluating treatment outcomes and discharge planning for patients
with acquired communication and / or swallowing disorders.

Provide Specialist Speech and Language Therapy input to the Specialist multidisciplinary team diagnostic assessment and management of the client groups

Plan and Provide specialist objective assessment for swallowing difficulties.

Provide specialist clinical assessment, advice, guidance and support for less experienced Speech and Language Therapists across the Trust working with adults with acquired communication disorders, and associated difficulties in line with Department policy.

Make onward referrals to other Professionals as required.

Work effectively and practice collaboratively within multidisciplinary rehabilitation Teams, in hospital and community settings, in order to meet the needs of the client group.

Contribute to the relevant statutory processes at all stages for the clinical specialty.

Prepare and submit timely clinical reports for routine and/or statutory purposes and be involved in case conferences/relevant meetings/ward rounds etc as required.

Maintain clinical case notes and statistics in line with professional and Trust policy.

Initiate and maintain effective liaison with carers, other professionals and agencies relevant to client group.

Care for and maintain clinical equipment and test materials.

Adhere to national and local standards and guidelines relating to professional practice.

To maintain and further develop specialist clinical skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to dysphagia & communication and related policy and legislation.

To access clinical advice/support from Senior Clinical Specialist for highly complex cases and participate in regular clinical and case supervision with the Adult Clinical Lead.

Undertake and contribute to mental capacity assessments as appropriate, under the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 in line with Trust Policies and Procedures and Professional Practice Standards and Guidance

TEACHING/TRAINING/SUPERVISION

Provide Specialist Clinical teaching, training and supervision to undergraduate Speech and Language Therapists to examination level.

Plan and provide specialist postgraduate in service training and teaching for less experienced Speech and Language Therapist colleagues within Clinical Specialty as directed by Clinical Lead to meet identified development needs.

Devise and supervise the delivery of specific intervention programmes to be carried out by trained care staff, assistants or volunteers in hospital and community settings and monitor, review and update as required.

Identify, plan and deliver appropriate specialist training to carers and other professionals working with the client group in both hospital and community settings.

RESEARCH/EVALUATION/DEVELOPMENT

Undertake appropriate specialist professional and personal development activities including attendance at relevant Courses and conferences and reading to maintain and further develop specialist clinical competencies.

To identify areas for research within the Clinical Specialty and undertake relevant research to enhance quality of Specialist Clinical Service provided in association with Clinical Lead.

Ensure evidence-based practice informs assessment, treatment planning and evaluation within own specialist caseload and within the clinical specialty including frailty.

Investigate, evaluate and implement current and innovative assessment and treatment techniques and models of service delivery relevant to the post.

Undertake local and national audit and quality initiatives consistent with Trust policy and Clinical & Social Governance requirements in association with Clinical Lead.

To contribute to the development and implementation of uni/multi disciplinary clinical guidelines relevant to own caseload.

Identify, plan and prepare specialist therapy resources/ programmes appropriate for use by other Speech and Language therapists, professionals and carers working with the client group.

MANAGEMENT/LEADERSHIP

Contribute to selection, recruitment, induction and day-to-day supervision of junior SLT colleagues or other staff within the Clinical Specialty.

Identify and systematically inform Team Leader of changes/trends within Specialist Caseload for service evaluation, monitoring and planning purposes.

Participate in the development, review and implementation of SLT and Multidisciplinary policies, procedures and service developments for the Clinical Specialty area.

Review individually, at least annually, the performance of staff at lower bands, provide guidance on personal development requirements and advise on and initiate, where appropriate, further training

RAISING CONCERNS – RESPONSIBILITIES

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 the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL

Attend and participate in all relevant Staff meetings.

Participate in the Trust Appraisal process.

Be aware of and adhere to Trust, Team and professional standards, guidelines and current legislation relevant to the post.

Carry out administrative duties required within the post.

Carry out any other duties required to meet the changing needs of the service.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILTIES

1. Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her.

2. Review the organisation plan and establishment level of the service for which he/she is responsible to ensure that each is consistent with achieving objectives, and recommend change where appropriate.

3. Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making, while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.

4. Participate, as required, in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to:

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example:
Smoke Free policy
IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct
standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exception, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Acts 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trusts policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, including full participation in KSF Development Reviews/appraisals, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

Available / able to work any 5 days out of 7 over the 24 hour period, which may include on-call / stand-by / sleep-in duties, shifts, night duty, weekends and Public Holidays if required immediately on appointment or at a later stage following commencement in response to changing demands of the service.

Understand that this post may evolve over time, and that this Job Description will therefore be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE Advanced Practitioner Speech & Language Therapist Band 7

DIRECTORATE Acute Services

SALARY AfC B7 rates

HOURS 22.5

Ref No: AS/WT Sept 2026

Notes to applicants:
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.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
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

SECTION 1: 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
Ideally no more than 6-8 criteria in this section
Method of Assessment

Experience

- A minimum of four years’ post qualification clinical experience to include three years’ experience with relevant client group i.e. adults with communication and swallowing disorders / frailty.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration
- Hold a degree or qualification recognized by RCSLT
- Registered member of Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and RCSLT
- Post graduate advanced clinical training and experience (MSc level or equivalent) to include:
- Specialist courses relevant to the diagnosis, prognosis and management of the client group, e.g. Postgraduate dysphagia training, dysarthria training, AAC, MCA, QI/ service development modules

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities
-Experience in developing and delivering training programmes for other professionals and support staff.
-Experience using Alternative and augmentative Communication systems
-Experience in report writing
-Advanced level knowledge and skills in communication and dysphagia assessment and management relating to adult caseloads.
-Comprehensive knowledge of Professional Standards and Guidelines relevant to the client group
-High level of interpersonal skills
-High level of communication skills including Presentation, Training and IT skills
-Effective caseload and clinic management skills
-Ability to work collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team member within multidisciplinary / multiagency settings
-Ability to supervise staff and undergraduate SLTs
-Ability to monitor, allocate and delegate work effectively

Interview / Test

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these 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 form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Experience

Advanced dysphagia training
Experience of providing dysphagia therapy
Experience of objective swallow assessments eg VFS, FEES
Leadership training
Service development
Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.