Department: Speech and Language Therapy
Location: Altnagelvin Area Hospital
Hours: Permanent, Full-time (37.5 hpw)
Band 8a
Job summary
The post-holder will be the Lead Clinician responsible for the strategic planning, development and evaluation of the Head and Neck Cancer/Oncology Speech and Language Therapy Service for Adults across the Western Trust area to achieve well-being outcomes using a collaborative framework.
The post holder will provide specialist clinical assessment and treatment for a wide ranging complex caseload of adults with acquired disorders of communication and/or swallowing as a result of Head and Neck Cancer/Oncology diagnoses. The post-holder will independently clinically manage a surgical voice restoration (SVR) caseload and be responsible for independent removal and insertion of voice prostheses in line with level of competence and own scope of practice (SVR), as well as undertaking a leadership role and governance responsibility for SVR service.
Main responsibilities
- Provide advanced clinical expertise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adults with Head and Neck Cancer/Oncology
- Have responsibility for clinical and service developments including setting up VFS, and/or FEES services. This will include devising and reviewing care pathways, protocols and governance arrangements as appropriate for the SLT Head and Neck Cancer/Oncology service across the Trust in collaboration with Team Lead and Head of Service.
- Be a consultative and final point of reference to the staff team, and provide guidance to the relevant Team Leads and Speech and Language Therapy Head of Service with regard to service developments and evidence based practice for patients with Head and Neck Cancer/Oncology
- Deliver a Speech and Language Therapy service to a specialist complex Head and Neck Cancer caseload/Oncology. There will also be a requirement to provide clinical sessions, second opinions and clinical support to less experienced SLTs working with complex Head and Neck cancer/Oncology caseload Trust-wide.
- Have access to support from the relevant Team Lead and the Speech and Language Therapy Head of Service.
Band 7
Job summary
The post-holder will contribute to the strategic planning, development and evaluation of the Head and Neck Cancer/Oncology Speech and Language Therapy Service for Adults across the Western Trust area to achieve well-being outcomes using a collaborative framework
The post holder will provide specialist clinical assessment and treatment for a wide ranging complex caseload of adults with acquired disorders of communication and/or swallowing as a result of Head and Neck Cancer/Oncology diagnoses to achieve well-being outcomes using a collaborative framework. The post-holder will independently clinically manage a surgical voice restoration (SVR) caseload and be responsible for independent removal and insertion of voice prostheses in line with level of competence and own scope of practice (SVR).
Main responsibilities
- Be responsible for the provision of a high quality Speech and Language Therapy service to a designated caseload including:
- Assessment of communication and/or swallowing difficulties
- Formulation of individual treatment plans and outcome measures
- Writing assessment reports
- Assessing and supporting clients with alternative and augmentative communication systems and liaising with regional Communication Advice Centre as appropriate
- Onward referrals to other professionals as required
- Attendance at case conferences/relevant meetings
- Liaise closely with patients/carers and provide specialist advice and support regarding client’s speech, language, communication, eating and drinking difficulties to ensure best outcomes
- Work collaboratively and liaise with other relevant Health and Social Care staff and all appropriate personnel working in non-statutory organisations
- Provides clinical supervision Band 5/6 SLTs, assistants and others working with post-holder
- Highlight areas of potential inefficiency to senior colleagues within the Department and propose solutions
- Be responsible for the care and maintenance of clinical equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained – including equipment loaned to clients
- Provide support to more junior colleagues who are affected by change
- Contribute to response to complaints
- Contribute to HR processes for specialist area e.g. recruitment and selection
- Propose policy changes, impacting within and beyond own area
- Contribute to the development of organisational and professional body responses to emerging health policy at departmental level
For more details view the full job description in the Additional Information section below
