Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Cochlear Implant

Position Summary:

This post is for a Clinical Specialist Speech & Language Therapist who will work with patients attending the National Hearing Implant and Research Centre (NHIRC). The successful candidate will be an integral part of both the Beaumont Hospital SLT team and the Hearing Implant team with excellent support and opportunities for CPD. The post holder will provide assessment and treatment to those who attend the NHIRC in accordance with designated protocols for that service. As a clinical specialist the post holder will have responsibility for the provision of a specialist speech & language therapy service for those attending the NHIRC. The post has a designated clinical and service development component in addition to a research remit. SLT staff will provide assessment and treatment to children and adolescents who attend the NHIRC in accordance with designated protocols for that service both in Beaumont Hospital and in the new Childrens hospital at St James Hospital Site.

Responsible to - The post holder will be responsible to the Speech and Language Therapist Manager.

Clinical

To provide a comprehensive specialist speech & language therapy service for patients attending the National Hearing Implant and Research Center (NHIRC) in conjunction with other relevant colleagues.
To maintain close liaison with all relevant multidisciplinary team members involved in patient management.
Liaise and co-operate with local support networks and other relevant agencies as necessary.
To develop and maintain advanced expertise in relation to this client group and the implant systems used within the service while ensuring professional standards are maintained.
To maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the field by way of reading the appropriate literature by attending relevant courses by participating in research and through learning from peers so as to ensure that professional standards are maintained.
Manage and prioritise a complex and specialised caseload independently according to need and departmental guidelines.
Take a lead role in demonstrating clinical effectiveness through the application of evidence based practice.
Ensure that privacy and dignity of the client and family is respected at all times.
Act as a clinical resource to other Speech and Language Therapists at a local and national level.
Provide advice and training to other professionals as may be required.
Lead the development of innovations in and adhere to best practice in quality standards and clinical effectiveness in the area of deafness and cochlear implant.
Attend outpatient clinics according to need.
Adapt practice to meet the individual circumstances having due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
Work within departmental and national guidelines and professional code of conduct to ensure quality of care.
Participation in school/domiciliary visiting of selected patients as required.
Represent the department within the context of a multidisciplinary team.
Attend and participate in team meetings and journal clubs as appropriate.
Be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries.
Complete relevant training as required by the hospital including but not restricted to mandatory training.

Educational

To participate in the educational process of medical nursing and other professions as well as non-clinical personnel as required.
To undertake clinical supervision of speech and language therapy students.
To keep abreast of developments in the fields of hearing implants and speech and language therapy having regard for the implications they may have on speech and language therapy working practice.
To maintain continuous professional development including personal development planning and professional Supervision.
Attend mandatory training as required by the organisation.

Research and Quality Improvement

Identify and fulfil professional/personal development objectives with manager and peers.
Maintain a record of CPD activities to demonstrate evidence of ongoing professional development.
Identify research needs within the area of Cochlear Implant.
Initiate and undertake research projects appropriate to the area of Cochlear Implant.
Disseminate research outcomes to improve service delivery.
Design research according to evidence based practice.

Managerial
As appropriate to participate and be involved in the planning and development of all services for patients attending the NHIRC and to ensure that they meet the needs of patients.
To participate and be involved in the development of appropriate guidelines policies and procedures related to the speech and language therapy service in consultation with the Speech & Language Therapist Manager and other members of the team as indicated.
To be involved in Quality Improvement to include involvement in the planning of the overall service incorporating the setting and implementation of short and long term objectives.

Administration

To maintain patient records within HSE hospital and departmental standards and to co-operate with data collection systems and current administrative procedures.
To attend team and other relevant meetings.
Provision of departmental statistics for audit on a monthly basis
Monitor evaluate and plan for the service for those who attend the NHIRC.
Liaise with relevant professional colleagues regarding service planning.
Advise line manager on issues of service delivery specific to the area of Cochlear Implant.
Assume delegated tasks as requested including participation in working groups and policy development groups.
To adhere to health & safety hygiene infections control and other hospital guidelines.
To undertake other duties appropriate to the office as may be required by the director of Cochlear Implant service and the Speech & Language Therapist Manager.

This job description will be reviewed with the post holder at regular intervals as part of the ongoing appraisal system.

Selection Criteria:
Selection criteria outline the qualifications skills knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

1. A recognised qualification in speech & language therapy approved by the Department of Health & Children
2. A minimum of five years satisfactory post qualification experience and a minimum of four years experience in the area of deafness/cochlear implant.
3. Registration with the Speech and Language Therapy Registration Board with CORU.

Desirable:

1. Membership of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists
2. Knowledge of the Irish Health Service
3. Demonstrate a proven record of clinical excellence and continuing professional development in the specialism with achievements in the areas of clinical audit quality improvement initiatives practice development teaching and/or research.

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name: Anne Healy
Title: Speech & Language Therapist Manager in charge 3
Email address:
Telephone: (01)