Bank Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Band 7

This will include providing ASD highly specialist Speech & Language Therapy input to clients admitted or at risk of admission referred to the service. The role will require working alongside Community Mental Health Teams and inpatient mental health wards working with the above cohort of service users. The post holder needs to be prepared to work as a part of the multi-disciplinary team as an autonomous practitioner which has close links with a wide range of other NHS agencies and outside agencies. The Highly Specialist Speech & Language therapist will also have the responsibility to support the team with diagnostic assessments of adults with suspected Autism according to NICE guidance if and as needed by the service.

• Provide highly specialist assessment to clients within the service area.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies.
• Have clinical knowledge of mental health and psychiatric conditions such as personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders.
• Adapt practice to meet individual patients'/clients' circumstances, taking due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
• Engage patients and/or their families in the planning of care/management plans wherever possible.
• Demonstrate clinical effectiveness by using evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
• Manage a complex caseload independently, accessing clinical supervision on a planned basis.
• Monitor and evaluate own service delivery, accessing clinical supervision on a planned basis.
• Support the service with diagnostic assessment of Autism as needed.
• Promote adherence to CQC requirements within the local Speech and Language therapy service.
• Be accountable for own professional action, recognising own professional boundaries and seeking advice where appropriate.
• Work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.
• Reflect on auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic aspects of clients' communication and identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.
• Make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment, seeking support and advice from a supervisor as appropriate.
• Make a differential diagnosis based on evidence from assessment, seeking advice as appropriate.
• Act in accordance with the professional standards set out by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health Professionals Council.
• Act in accordance with local policies and procedures at all times.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and pursue the principles of professional requirements, current legislation, and best practice guidance.
• Maintain knowledge of current best practice and clinical effectiveness within the Specialist Speech and Language Therapy for Learning Disability field.

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent.
• Registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC).
• Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to master's degree level or equivalent.
• Evidence of management skills obtained through experience.

• Minimum of 4 years' post-graduate experience, 2 of which are within the area of specialism.
• Experience in mentoring/supporting less experienced staff/assistants.
• Experience in contributing to policy, planning and service development.
• Experience of multidisciplinary and inter-agency working.
• In-depth experience within the specialist area/area of service delivery.
• Some experience of writing policies.
• Some experience in diagnosing autistic people with complex mental health comorbidities.
• Experience of completing standardized historical interviews with parents and carers.

• In-depth knowledge of specialist area.
• Good organisational skills and ability to facilitate these skills in others.
• Good analytical and reflection skills.
• Advanced auditory discrimination and observation skills.
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping and ability to audit this in own team.
• Knowledge of a range of appropriate service delivery models and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits.
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, audit, and research.
• Good presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening, and empathy skills.
• Developed negotiation and problem solving skills in complex situations and ability to facilitate these skills in others.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working with key stakeholders in the service area.
• Knowledge and experience of leadership within own profession.

• Demonstrable ability to work under pressure and respond to emergency situations as appropriate.
• The ability to engage and work with clients in differing environments in line with the needs of the service.
• A flexible approach to client intervention and ability to work independently and flexibly to meet client needs.
• Frequent sitting (meetings) and desk working (report writing, telephone use, computer operation).
• Driving, walking, or commuting to visit service users or attend meetings in the community.

• Understanding of equality of opportunity and related policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of recent legislation affecting the NHS and Autism.
• Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and the Children Act.
• Motivated and enthusiastic.
• Proactive and innovative.
• Remains calm in stressful situations.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£58,069 a year (pro rated, inclusive of HCAS).