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Senior SLT Head and Neck Cancer and Critical Care Medicine Salary Range: €53,388 - €63,197
Informal enquires to Ms Una Cunningham at 01 803 4107 or email ucunningham@mater.ie Senior Speech and Language Therapist Job Description The Senior Speech and Language Therapist working in the areas of head and neck cancer and critical care medicine will contribute to the overall operation and development of the communication and swallowing service within the hospital in collaboration with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager and other Speech and Language Therapists within the department. Reporting Relationships Operational: The Senior SLT reports to and through the SLT Manager in relation to all departmental operations and developments. Clinical: The Senior SLT reports directly to the relevant Consultant / Consultant’s team member in the hospital from whom patients are referred for assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. In the context of providing quality patient care, he/she will also undertake to communicate with all disciplines involved with a patient on any issues which affect patient well being. A Specific Job requirements 1 To manage a caseload 1.1 To assess, develop and implement programmes of care and treatment for clients with routine and/ or complex communication and/or swallowing needs using service delivery models in line with MMUH SLT departmental policies and procedures and professional guidelines. 1.2 Together with the other Senior S< to prioritise ENT/ Head and Neck Cancer & critical care caseloads according to clinical need in the context of service policy. 1.3 To delegate clinical caseload appropriately for service area. 1.4 To demonstrate effective team working in a client centred framework as a component of efficient case management to ensure an optimum service is provided for all service users.
1.5 To record client related information in accordance with MMUH SLT departmental policies and procedures and professional standards. 1.6 To balance clinical demands with other responsibilities (e.g. departmental responsibilities, CPD, organisational, service development) through effective time management and organisational skills. 1.7 To record and evaluate outcome measures on both individual patients and on caseload. 1.8 To develop and implement discharge and after-care policies and ensure good liaison with home care, primary, community and continuing care 1.9 To develop and apply advanced clinical knowledge and skills in the areas of head and neck cancer and critical care medicine. 1.10 To attend ward rounds (eg Head and Neck Cancer and SLT/ IntensivistTracheostomy care ward round), case conferences and multidisciplinary team meetings as required. 1.11 To provide an SLT service to ENT/Head and Neck Cancer out-patient clinics as required 1.12 To undertake Videofluoroscopic and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing assessments appropriate to their level of competence and in line with departmental policies on same 1.13 To assist/ run the ENT/SLT Voice Clinic in consultation with the Clinical Specialist SLT for Voice Disorders
2 To provide a a quality service 2.1 To understand the role of the ENT/ Head and Neck Cancer & Critical Care Medicine Depts and the SLT department within the larger organisation. 2.2 To develop and monitor adherence to local polices, procedures and guidelines. 2.3 To promote quality of the SLT service by reviewing and evaluating the service regularly and striving to find ways in which standards of quality and efficiency can be improved within their service area. 2.4 To communicate service development needs and changes in a clear and comprehensive manner. 2.5 To optimise the use of available resources to achieve effective outcomes when planning and delivering a flexible service that meets the needs of all service users. 2.6 To develop and implement service / business plans, quality initiatives, audits etc and to report on outcomes in collaboration with the SLT manager. 2.7 To identify and avail of opportunities to contribute to operational service developments and strategic planning. B Additional Responsibilities 3 Professional 3.1 To exercise a professional duty of care to, promote self advocacy in and
act as an advocate for clients where appropriate. 3.2 To represent the SLT profession confidently within service area and the MMUH as a whole. 3.3 To promote initiatives that will ensure professional practice and uniformity of standards.
3.4 To maintain knowledge of ongoing work being done within IASLT and Irish healthcare and apply same to practice as appropriate. 3.5 To demonstrate effective planning / preparation for meetings, case conferences, in-service training. 3.6 To understand and respect own scope of practice and the roles of all members of the MDT. 3 .7 To recognise when it is appropriate to ask for support, include others in decision making or refer decisions to others. 3.8 To manage own work life balance and support relevant others in the management of same. 4 Communication 4.1 To communicate oral and written information in a clear, concise and well structured manner appropriate to the content and the target audience. 4.2 To manage communications in a professional manner. 4.3 To facilitate and maintain communication within own department and across multi-disciplinary teams. 4.4 To promote and improve communication in their area specific area of responsibility. 4.5 To negotiate effectively with relevant others.
5. To drive and participate in evidence based practice 5.1 To review and critically evaluate available evidence based information and literature and integrate into clinical practice. 5.2 To monitor and evaluate effectiveness of interventions through the use of evidence based practice and outcome measures and to modify practice accordingly in consultation with service users. 5.3 To develop and update clinical guidelines for ENT/ head and Neck Cancer and Critical care Medicine in accordance with evidence and professional body guidelines. 6. To understand and participate in research 6.1 To understand the principles of research and research methodologies which underpin an analytical approach to clinical practice. 6.2 To identify potential research projects to address service needs. 6.3 To demonstrate research skills as appropriate to Speech and Language
Therapy practice. 6.4 To initiate and/or collaborate in research to inform evidence based practice. 6.5 To engage with all relevant stakeholders in respect of research issues (e.g. Health Research Board, Ethics Board, Service Users etc). 6.6 To present/publish or to contribute to presentation/publication of research projects.
C: Education and Development 7. Maintaining Continuing Professional Development 7.1 To identify own personal and professional development needs and put structures in place to meet these in collaboration with the SLT manager. 7.2 To identify and avail of appropriate formal and/or informal learning opportunities within SLT and multidisciplinary contexts to remain informed on contemporary clinical best practice. 7.3 To analyse and apply learning from formal and informal CPD activities and apply same to practice. 8. Education and Development of others 8.1 To promote the importance of CPD within the SLT team. 8.2 To plan, deliver and evaluate education and training as appropriate. 8.3 To manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student therapists. 8.4 To assist basic grade staff in identifying own development needs and to facilitate resolution of same through planned learning and professional support as required. 8.5 To plan, deliver and evaluate health promotion activities as appropriate. 9. Supervising and Coaching Others 9.1 To provide support for other staff including mentoring, coaching and formal development training. 9.2 together with the other Senior SLT to act as a positive and supportive team leader in the areas of ENT/ head and Neck Cancer and Critical care Medicine 9.3 To identify performance problems within the department in a timely manner and deal with same in collaboration with the SLT manager. 9.4 To empower staff by appropriately delegating responsibility and authority. 9.5 To demonstrate adaptability / flexibility in managing others.
10. Acting As A Clinical Resource 10.1 To act as a clinical resource to colleagues and students within the MMUH Key Performance Criteria The extent to which: There is patient satisfaction with the service. Performance reflects quality patient care. Key objectives are met on an annual basis. Good working relationships are fostered and maintained with colleagues within the department and elsewhere in the hospital. Performance is effective in relation to contributing to the overall operation and development of the service.
This job description is a broad outline of the areas of responsibility and accountability and should not be regarded as comprehensive. These duties and responsibilities are a reflection of the present service requirements and are subject to review and amendment to meet the changing needs of the SLT dept and hospital and in the context of changes brought about by the HSE transformation agenda.