The Speech and Language Therapy department provides a service to all patients presenting with communication and feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing (FEDS) difficulties in the acute setting. A videofluoroscopy service is also provided.

The aim of the shared post is to provide evidence based, high quality speech and language therapy service to patients within the medicine for the elderly service in CHB and NOHC.

They will carry out the clinical and educational duties as required of a Senior Speech and Language Therapist. The Senior Speech and Language Therapist will develop and maintain high standards of clinical practice within their assigned area through clinical evaluation, audit opportunities and evidence-based practice.

To work with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager/Therapy Services Manager and other members of the department in co-ordinating the service to meet the needs of the service user and the objectives of each organisation.

CHB - providing a service to acute inpatient areas as the service requires at the Speech and Language Therapy manager’s discretion.

NOHC - contribute to the overall operation and development of the communication and swallowing service within the Rehabilitation Service at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh in collaboration with the Therapy Services Manager. The candidate will also provide, where requested,  SLT services on the elective orthopaedic service at NOHC.

In CHB the Successful candidate will be part of the Stroke/Older Person Rehabilitation Service of Connolly Hospital.  This service encompasses Woodlands Acute Frailty Unit, Rowan Ward (Stroke & Older Person Rehabilitation), Silverbirch Ward (Stroke & Older Person Rehabilitation) & Sycamore Ward (Care of Older Person) and other acute wards.  Flexibility is required as the post holder may be required to work on/between any of the Stroke/Older Person Rehabilitation services.

Professional reporting relationship for clinical governance and clinical supervision will be to the Head of Discipline through the professional line management structure.

CHB - This post reports to the Speech and Language Therapy Manager. Supervision may be provided by the Speech and Language Therapy Manager within the department.

NOHC - The position reports to and is accountable to the Therapy Services Manager in all matters relating to the job and in their absence reports to the Chief Executive Officer. Clinical supervision relating to the role will be provided by the SLT Manager at CHB.

The RCSI Hospital Group includes the following hospitals

• Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9
• Cavan General Hospital, Cavan
• Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
• Louth County Hospital, Dundalk,
• Monaghan General Hospital, Monaghan
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda
• Rotunda Hospital, Dublin 15

The Academic Partner for the Group is the RCSI. RCSI Hospital Group provides a national service and a regional service to Dublin and the North East and is committed to the provision of world-class care, exceptional clinical services with respect and compassion.

Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown is a major teaching hospital providing a range of acute medical and surgical services, day care, outpatient, diagnostic and support services.  Emergency services are provided on a 365-day, 24 hour basis.  Multi-disciplinary teams representative of medical, nursing, allied health professionals, management and general support staff play a pivotal role in the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of these services. 

The hospital is affiliated to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) for medical education, to Dublin City University (DCU) for nursing education and to University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the Institute of Technology for allied health professional education.

Connolly Hospital is one of 8 hospitals in the RCSI Hospitals Group covering a population of over 800,000 people.  Connolly Hospital’s Catchment Population of over 331,000 covers Dublin West, North Kildare and South Meath.

Professional / Clinical

The Speech and Language Therapist Senior will:

• Be responsible for assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment / intervention programmes for service users according to professional standards.
• Be able to make highly specialist clinical decisions following assessment of complex cases.
• Arrange and carry out assessment and treatment / intervention programmes in appropriate settings in line with local policy / guidelines.
• Communicate results of assessments and recommendations to the service user and relevant others as appropriate.
• Document all assessments, diagnoses, treatment / intervention plans, clinical notes, relevant contacts and summaries in accordance with department and professional standards.
• Collaborate with service user, family, carers and other staff in goal setting and treatment / intervention planning.
• Foster close working relationships with colleagues and other relevant professionals in maximising the service users’ potential.
• Provide clinical leadership in the day-to-day running of the service by supporting and supervising staff, prioritising and allocating work and promoting positive staff morale.
• Be responsible for maintenance of standards of practice of self and designated staff.
• Foster close working relationships with colleagues and other relevant professionals in maximising the service users’ potential.
• Actively engage in team based performance management.
• Provide support and information in relation to communication and / or feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing disorders etc. to service users and relevant others.
• Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in collaboration with the service user and other team members as part of an integrated package of care.
• Attend clinics and participate in relevant meetings, case conferences and ward rounds as appropriate and agreed with the relevant service manager.
• In conjunction with the relevant service manager, contribute to the development and implementation of procedures, policies and guidelines while adhering to existing standards and protocols.
• Seek advice and assistance from the Speech and Language Therapist Manager with any assigned cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his / her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.
• Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation.
• Operate within the scope of Senior Speech and Language Therapy practice as set out by the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Participate in and develop activities which support health promotion.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Speech and Language Therapist Manager or Therapy Services Manager.

Education and Training

The Speech and Language Therapist Senior will:

• Participate in mandatory and recommended training programmes in accordance with departmental/organisational guidelines.
• Maintain and develop professional expertise and knowledge by actively engaging in continuing professional development e.g. reflective practice, by attending and presenting at in-service events, training courses, conferences, professional courses or other courses relevant to practice, participating in research etc.
• Manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student therapists and promote and engage in the teaching / training / support of others as appropriate.
• Avail of and participate in own supervision with Speech and Language Therapist Manager.
• Engage in planning and performance reviews, as required with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager or Therapy Services Manager.

Health and Safety

The Speech and Language Therapist Senior will:

• Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Assist in the development, implementation and review of the department’s Health and Safety statement, as appropriate
• Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of relevant / designated individual(s) in line with best practice.
• Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others.
• Be aware of risk management issues, identify risks and take appropriate action.
• Comply with department procedures with regard to assessment, recommendation and / or manufacturing of all assistive devices. 
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect.

Quality Safety & Risk

The Speech and Language Therapist Senior will:

• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of a quality service in line with best practice
• Develop and monitor implementation of agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards
• Ensure the safety of self and others, and the maintenance of safe environments and equipment used in Speech and Language Therapy in accordance with legislation
• Assess and manage risk in their assigned area(s) of responsibility
• Take the appropriate timely action to manage any incidents or near misses within their assigned area(s)
• Report any deficiency/danger in any aspect of the service to the team or Speech and Language Therapy Manager as appropriate
• Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment, aids and appliances both by clients and staff under their supervision
• Develop and promote quality standards of work and co-operate with quality assurance programmes
• Oversee and monitor the standards of best practice within the Speech and Language Therapy team

Administrative

The Speech and Language Therapist Senior will, in consultation with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager and Therapy Services Manager:

• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of service in designated area(s).
• To be responsible for the day-to-day operation and coordination of the Speech & Language Therapy Service in Older Person’s Rehabilitation at NOHC.
• Ensure good working practice and adherence to standards of best practice.
• Promote quality by reviewing and evaluating the Speech and Language Therapy service, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services.
• Assist the Speech and Language Therapist Manager/Therapy Service Manager in service development, including policy development and implementation.
• Ensure the maintenance of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, the organisation’s requirements and the Freedom of Information Act and provide reports and other information / statistics as required.
• Engage in service audit and demonstrate the achievement of the service objectives.
• Represent the department / profession / team at meetings and conferences as appropriate.
• NOHC - To represent the SLT profession confidently within the Rehabilitation Unit and NOHC as a whole ensuring that agreed professional and quality standards are maintained.
• Deputise for the Speech and Language Therapist Manager/Therapy Services Manager as required.
• Participate in the control and ordering of clinical equipment.
• Engage in technological developments as they apply to the service user and service administration.
• Keep up to date with change and developments within the Irish Health Service.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate while in office.

Each candidate must possess the following on closing date for applications:

1. Graduate of a School of Speech and Language Therapy recognised by the CORU

• Qualifications from outside the Republic of Ireland require validation by CORU.
• Applicants whose first language is not English and /or who have not undergone their Speech and Language Therapy training through English must have achieved the following: A minimum score of 8.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

                                                            AND

2. Demonstrate registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU.

                                                           AND

3. Have at least three years satisfactory post qualification experience in adult acute or community services.

                                                                   AND

4. Asuitable standard of professional attainments

                                                            AND

5. The requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004).  A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

* A list of ‘other statutory health agencies’ can be found here.

Post Specific Requirements if any:

• Candidate must demonstrate sufficient depth & breadth of speech and language therapy experience in an acute hospital setting relevant to the role.
• Candidate must demonstrate CPD activity relevant to the clinical area of the role.

Technical & Professional Expertise

Has a command over the technical/ professional skills and knowledge required within the job holder’s role and continues to upskill to maintain high professional standards and continuous professional development requirements.

Commitment to Quality & Risk Management

The ability to focus on understanding stakeholder’s needs and expectations and to respond effectively and efficiently to them. Has a good knowledge of and is committed to offer a quality service through the achievement of goals, accreditation standards, other organisation/department standards and risk management frameworks and guidelines.

Leadership & Management

Manages performance to deliver team goals; demonstrates accountability for leading, directing, monitoring and evaluating RCSIHG’s services. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best. Promotes confidence and positive attitude; influences others to follow a common goal.

Resource Management

Manages and utilises the organisation’s resources in the most effective manner to maximise the value for money proposition and to identify costs savings where possible.

Communications & Interpersonal Skills

Speaks and writes clearly, fluently and effectively to both individuals and groups; communicates in a manner that will persuade, convince and influence others, in order to motivate, inspire or encourage them to follow a particular course of action.

This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position and is subject to regular review and amendment. The role holder will be required to be flexible in this position and is expected to facilitate working additional hours on occasion, when requested.

The RCSI Hospital Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer.