Description:
This senior Speech & Language Therapist who has responsibility (alongside other senior colleagues) for the management and development of the Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) to ENT and Oncology services. The post will involve working with people with both communication and swallowing difficulties. The successful candidate will work with inpatient and outpatients who have of ENT/Oncology diagnoses, including patients post laryngectomy.
The successful candidate will be part of integral part of the well-structured, multi-speciality Beaumont Hospital SLT team with excellent support and opportunities for CPD.
Responsible to
The post holders will be responsible to the Speech and Language Therapist Manager, Beaumont Hospital.
Responsibilities
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Clinical Responsibilities:
- To provide a comprehensive service to patients attending Beaumont Hospital for, ENT Head and neck oncology services, including appropriate clinical assessment and rehabilitation as required of both communication and swallowing disorders.
- To work closely with other SLTs also assigned to this clinical area.
- To contribute to the continued development of a person centred care environment with particular emphases on:
- The promotion of making interactions, documents and environments accessible for patients with regard to communication.
- The creation of the necessary conditions to ensure safe swallowing.
- To collaborate and liaise with all other Senior SLTs, for example, those in Neurosurgery, Radiation Oncology and medical oncology services to ensure a seamless and comprehensive service for patients with cancer.
- To work with patients post tracheostomy, laryngectomy and other surgical interventions and to maintain clinical competency in these and all areas related to this specialism.
- To maintain close liaison with all relevant personnel with regard to the care and management of patients.
- To develop and maintain the SLT service to assist the organisation to meet all relevant HIQA and other standards
- To develop and maintain expertise in the management of people living with long-term illness and disability and to ensure that professional standards are maintained.
- To provide SLT services across the whole service as cover if required.
- To be involved in VFSS clinics, FEES clinics and/or other instrumental assessment as appropriate. Training will be provided as required.
- To participate in the practice/clinical education of SLT students in collaboration with practice/clinical educators within the department
- To maintain and develop professional knowledge and practice in relation to adults with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties relating to oncology and ENT conditions, and in conjunction with other SLTs, to provide a service to patient groups as agreed with the SLT Manager.
- To promote and develop links with a range of local services as required.
Managerial Responsibilities
- To be responsible for the day to day operational management of the speech and language therapy service to the designated area.
- To be responsible for the supervision of SLT staff assigned to the area or in the wider SLT department if required.
- In consultation with the Speech & Language Therapist Manager and other relevant personnel, to participate and be involved in the planning and development of the service to ensure that it meets the needs of patients. This also includes the development of appropriate policies and procedures.
- To be involved in quality improvement to include involvement in the planning for the overall service, incorporating the setting and implementation of short and long term objectives.
- To engage in quality improvement that improves the SLT service offered to all patients who are referred to and attend the SLT service as a whole.
- To liaise with statutory, voluntary and other external agencies as appropriate.
- To deputise for the SLT Manager where appropriate and in rotation with other senior/clinical specialist SLTs within the department.