A staff grade SLT will work across a range of clinical areas to provide high quality evidenced based SLT intervention.   A commitment to collaborative work with senior clinicians is required to:  develop services, engage in continuous professional development and respond to changing demands in the healthcare environment. Rotational clinical duties may involve the following areas: care of the elderly, general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics and stroke.

The Dublin North East Region includes the following hospitals;

• Beaumont Hospital
• Cavan General Hospital
• Connolly Hospital
• Louth County Hospital
• Monaghan General Hospital
• Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
• Rotunda Hospital

The HSE provides a national service and a regional service to the Dublin and the North East Region and is committed to the provision of world-class care, exceptional clinical services with respect and compassion. Louth Hospitals comprise the following:  Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda, an internationally renowned hospital, Louth County Hospital Dundalk and the Cottage Hospital community Hub Drogheda. OLOL has a culture of academic teaching and learning .Facilities include an onsite library with access/support for continuous CPD.

Clinical/Professional:

The Speech and Language Therapist will:

• Be responsible for assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation of treatment/intervention programmes for service users according to professional standards
• Arrange and conduct assessment and treatment/intervention programmes in line with local policy/guidelines and professional standards
• Communicate the results of assessments and recommendations to the service user and relevant others as appropriate.
• Document all assessment , diagnosis , treatment /intervention plans, clinical notes, relevant contacts and summaries in accordance with departmental 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 maximizing the service users’ potential
• Provide support and information in relation to communication and /or feeding, eating drinking and swallowing disorders etc... to service users and relevant others.
• Attend clinics and participate in meetings, case conferences, ward rounds etc... as agreed with the Speech and Language Therapy Manager
• Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in collaboration with the service user and relevant others as part of an integrated package of care.
• Maintain professional standards of practice
• Represent the department /profession/team at meetings at conferences as designated
• In conjunction with the Speech and Language Therapy Manager and fellow colleagues contribute to the development and implementation of procedures, policies  and guidelines while adhering to existing standards and protocols
• Actively engage in team based performance management where appropriate
• Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality , ethics and legislation
• Comply with the code of conduct as outlined by CORU
• Seek advice and assistance from the Speech and Language Therapy 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
• Operate within the scope of Speech and Language Therapy practice ad set out by the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists

Education & Training

• Participate in and develop activities which support Health Promotion
• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Speech and Language Therapy Manager and or Senior SLT staff Participate in mandatory and recommended training programmes in accordance with departmental/organisational guidelines
• Maintain continuing professional development e.g. by attending in-service events, training courses, conference and involvement in research/audit
• Engage in reflective practice , support /supervision with designated supervisor/s and Manager
• Participate in the practice education of student therapists and provide teaching /training /supervision to others (e.g. to staff, service users, carers) as appropriate
• Attend practice educator course as required
• Engage in planning and performance reviews as required with the Speech and language Therapy Manager

Health & Safety

• Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation , regulation and standards
• Assist in the development , implementation and review of the department’s health and safety statement as appropriate
• Document appropriately any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of the Manger and relevant person(s)
• 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
• Comply with safety protocols as advised by other clinical areas for e.g. radiology procedures whilst conducting Videofluoroscopy.
• Support a culture that values diversity respect and inclusion.

Administrative

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

• Keep up to date administrative records, reports and statistics as required by the Manager
• Be responsible for organization and maintenance of clinical equipment and identification of equipment needs as appropriate
• Participate in planning and development of the Speech and Language Therapy Service
• Represent the department at meetings as designated
• Participate in review, evaluation and audit of Speech and Language Therapy services , identifying changing needs, clinical trends and opportunities to improve services
• Assist in ensuring that the Speech and Language Therapy service makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in Information Technology
• Keep up to date with organisational developments with the Irish Health Service

336YSGSLT Job Specification

Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

Candidates for appointment must:

• Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Speech & Language Therapist Register maintained by the Speech & Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued

Annual registration

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.

Patient Centred

Demonstrates eagerness to understand patient needs. Views the patient as central to the delivery of everyday service through consistent understanding, tolerance, care, support and empathy while promoting empowerment, independence and choice.

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.

Communication & 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.