JOB DESCRIPTION

Safe, compassionate, effective care provided to our communities

with a transparent, open approach.

JOB TITLE:

Speech & Language Therapist

Rotational

GRADE:

Band 5

BASE:

Rotational between Homerton Hospital London E9 and the

Adult Community Rehabilitation Team based at St Leonards, N1 5LZ

MANAGED BY:

Senior Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

JOB SUMMARY:
The postholder works as a member of the Adult Speech & Language Therapy Team
and as a member of the multidisciplinary teams at Homerton University Hospital or
within the Adult Community Rehabilitation Team.
With the supervision and support of a Senior Speech and Language Therapist, you will
be responsible for provision of the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) component of
inter-disciplinary rehabilitation of a designated caseload of clients with disorders of
communication and / or swallowing,.
The SLT component will comprise SLT assessment, intervention, review and discharge
of the designated caseload as appropriate and will include input to all aspects of
rehabilitation; i.e. behaviour, memory and cognition, counselling and discharge
planning.
The postholder will be expected to participate in the delivery of a Saturday service in
the hospital teams
You will participate with other unit staff in the programme of recreational activities for
clients (on the inpatient units when applicable), which may involve some evening work.

CLINICAL DUTIES
1. Promote and maintain a high standard of clinical practice, undertaking specialist training as
necessary, and maintaining an up to date knowledge of current literature and
developments relevant to the field.
2. Responsibility for comprehensive Speech & Language Therapy assessment, including
case history information gathering, the use of formal standardised assessments, as well as
informal screens and assessments of the following areas: comprehension and expression
of language, speech, reading, writing, oral-facial muscular function, communication,
aspects of cognition, and swallowing.
3. Responsibility for ensuring that assessment data are appropriately applied to the process
of baseline and outcome measurement, multi-disciplinary assessments and information,
diagnosis of communication and swallowing disorders, and medical diagnosis.
4. Evaluation of patients swallow function at specialist assessment clinics (videofluoroscopy), with lead clinician supporting. This involves directing radiographers, mixing
barium to modified consistencies, analysing findings and providing recommendations
regarding safe nutrition, modification of diet and compensatory strategies to medical,
nursing and therapy teams, as well as the patient and carers.

5. Assess patients ability to use alternative and augmentative communication and refer to
specialist agencies.
6. Prioritise patients according to individual needs in line with local, and Royal College of
Speech and Language Therapists guidelines.
7. Negotiate goal directed management of intervention, in consultation with patients, carers
and the multi-disciplinary team, including facilitating the contribution of the patient to the
process, in order to achieve meaningful patient-centred outcomes. Use goal setting
guidelines and outcome measure standards as laid out by individual services and teams
involved in the rotation.
8. Manage the provision of the Speech and Language Therapy component of interdisciplinary rehabilitation of patients with challenging and complex neurological conditions
referred to the Team with disorders of communication and / or swallowing, to include input
to all aspects of rehabilitation; i.e. behaviour, memory and cognition, counselling and
discharge planning.
9. Take a key-worker role for specific patients in order to ensure continuity of care and enable
a point of contact for patient concerns / feedback, smooth transition through admission and
discharge procedures and liaison with care managers and further services to ensure safe,
effective and timely discharges
10. Plan programmes of therapy appropriate to individuals, addressing one or all of the
following areas; impairment, functional limitations, the impact of these limitations on the
patients functioning in the community, education and training, empowering clients to selfmanage aspects of their impairment or functional limitations.
11. Train carers, other professionals, therapy assistants and volunteers in the implementation
of individual patients therapy programmes and guidelines.
12. Promote the participation of patients with cognitive difficulties and challenging and complex
neurological conditions in all aspects of rehabilitation, by promoting choice and acting as
an advocate, contributing to moral and ethical decision making regarding oral / alternative
feeding.
13. To establish and maintain close liaison with clients, carers and other health and relevant
agencies involved in patient care, within and outside the Trust regarding the clinical
management of patients admitted to and discharged from the service.
14. Discuss with patients and carers poor prognosis, help patients come to terms with
permanent disabilities and overcome possible denial.
15. Regularly revise and evaluate patients progress using formal and informal assessments,
patient feedback and discussion with carers and the multi-disciplinary team, measuring
change according to baseline measurements.
16. Re-prioritise patients according to changing needs in line with local, and Royal College
guidelines.
17. Refer to outside agencies where appropriate.
18. To participate in organising and managing group work with the SLT and MDT.
19. To liaise with community partners as and when appropriate.

20. To make appropriate risk assessments when visiting and working with clients in the
community.

MANAGEMENT:
1. Assist with the evaluation of the professional quality and effectiveness of the service with
support, to include maintaining standards and participation in audit as required
2. Assist with relevant projects, evaluation and research with support, in relation to the
development of the service as required by the Head of Speech & Language Therapy,
RNRU.
3. Responsibility for the maintenance and secure keeping of equipment.
4. Maintain confidential, up to date and accurate case notes and records, in line with The
Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists professional standards and trust policies,
using the confidential computer system as appropriate.
5. Share information and liaise with other Speech & Language Therapists and other relevant
agencies within and outside the Trust as appropriate regarding the clinical management of
patients admitted to and discharged from the service, and on matters relating to the
provision and development of the service.
6. Facilitate effective communication between the Speech & Language Therapy Department
and all other members of the inter-disciplinary team.
7. Provide feedback, training and support to students, as agreed with Senior Speech &
Language Therapists.
8. Contribute and work to policies and procedures
9. Facilitate effective communication between the Speech & Language Therapy Department
and all other members of the inter-disciplinary team
10. Be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment, ensuring standards of
infection, control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients.
11. Co-operate with other Speech & Language Therapists within the service and where
appropriate other Trusts, on matters relating to the provision and development of the
service.
12. Plan and organise recreational activities for patients in liaison with the supervising Speech
& Language Therapist
13. To maintain up to date statistical records of activity in line with local policies.
SUPERVISION AND TRAINING:
1. Devise and deliver teaching to other members of the MDT within and outside the Trust
to increase understanding and assist others in the support and management of people
with complex swallowing and communication difficulties, as agreed with Senior Speech
& Language Therapists
2. Attend and participate in in-service training and external clinical management training
as required

3. Attend meetings organised by the Speech & Language Therapy Service and other
meetings as appropriate to the grade and clinical responsibilities.
4. Participate in the Trusts appraisal scheme
5. Participate in Individual Performance Review, ensuring that objectives set reflect
Service and Trust plans, including specific objectives relating to clinical supervision
6. Support student placements as appropriate.

RESEARCH AND AUDIT:

1. Demonstrate a high level of clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice
and outcome measures
2. Evaluate the professional quality and effectiveness of the service including
maintaining standards and participating in audit.
3. Undertake relevant projects, evaluation and research in relation to the development
of the service or of clinical practice individually and within dept/ Service.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Work within the defined departmental and national protocols / policies, and The Royal
College of Speech & Language Therapists Code of Ethics and professional code of
conduct
2. Be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional
boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate
3. Be familiar with and follow the Trust's Health & Safety Policy and procedures specific
to the areas of work.
4. Be sensitive to the needs of Ethnic Minorities.
5. Be familiar and compliant with the Trust's Equal Opportunities Policy.
6. The post holder must at all times respect the confidentiality of electronically stored
personal information in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1984 and the
Access to Health Records Act 1990.
7. The post holder will be aware of the legal requirements associated with the delivery of
the service in this specialist area and to fulfil these requirements.
8. Other duties may be required of the postholder by the head of Speech & Language
Therapy Services in accordance with the postholder's grade.
9. Attend relevant Mandatory training as laid out in local trust policies and guidelines

This job description outlines the current main responsibilities of the post. However the duties
of the post may change and develop over time and this job description may, therefore be
amended in consultation with the postholder.

The Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust sits in the middle of one of the
most diverse locations in the world. To this end we are committed to and champion equality
and diversity in all aspects of our employment practice and service delivery. All employees
are expected to understand and respect this commitment and work with us to promote
equality and diversity in the course of their work.
Employees, in line with the Trusts commitment to the Health and Social Care Act 2008
(Previously known as the Hygiene Code), improving infection control and health and safety
are individually required to ensure that they make every effort to contribute to making the
Homerton Hospital a clean and safe environment within which to work and receive care.
All employees of the Trust are required to observe legislation, Trust policies, standards and
guidelines relating to Health and Safety, Infection Control, Health and Social Care Act 2008
(Previously known as the Hygiene Code), Risk Management, Safeguarding Children,
Safeguarding Adults, Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Data Protection, Freedom of
Information and the Trust Code of Behaviour.
All staff have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults.
The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for
ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.
All staff have a responsibility to prevent and control infection within Homerton Hospital. This
includes ensuring personal and team compliance with the Hygiene Code (Health and Social
Care Act 2008) and all relevant policies including Hand Hygiene, Homerton Dress Code and
MRSA screening.
It is the responsibility of leaders of the Trust to demonstrate and foster the Trusts
commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility by acting as a
role model and enabling others. It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Trusts
environmental impact by recycling wherever possible, switching off lights, computers,
monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water wastage and reporting faults
promptly.
Living Our Values How We at the Homerton Work
Safe We will do everything we can to make our services as safe as possible and create a
positive learning environment. We will do this by:

being open and honest when we get things wrong, and doing all we can to correct
and learn from our mistakes
listening to our staff, patients, service users and their carers and using their
feedback to improve services
ensuring that we have the right staff, with the right skills, caring for each patient
constantly monitoring standards of care and responding quickly if there are
concerns

Responsibility We will take responsibility for our actions and any problems that we come
across we lead by example. We will do this by:

being open and transparent about our performance and setting challenging
improvement targets
thinking differently and looking for new and innovative ways of working
ensuring our care is evidence based and follows best practice
doing the right thing, even when it is difficult

Personal We will provide care which addresses individual needs and focuses on our
patients, service users, their families and carers, and our staff. We will do this by:

ensuring that relationships with patients and service users are founded on
compassion, empathy and kindness
appreciating each person as an individual and addressing their specific needs
actively listening to and involving patients and service users in decisions about their
care
providing continuity of care through good communication and teamwork

Respectful We will treat others as we would expect ourselves or our families to be treated
and cared for. We will do this by:

treating everyone with dignity and respect

listening to others and valuing their contribution
providing services that meet the diverse needs of our communities
valuing and supporting the health and wellbeing of all our staff