Speech and Language Therapist

Halifax, United Kingdom

Oakdale was established more than twenty years ago and is highly regarded as a professional therapy provider for adults as well as children and their families.

As a not for profit Community Interest Company and a provider of NHS and other publically commissioned services, our focus is always on the goal of doing the best job we can for our service users, and delivering value for money for our clients and commissioners.

THE ROLE

Oakdale has recently enjoyed a period of growth and taken on several new commissions. Our multi-disciplinary team is now engaged in a number of collaborations with the NHS, supporting local CAMHS services and offering a Neurodevelopmental Assessment service to children of families who are referred to us by our NHS partners or who contact the Oakdale Centre directly.

As a result, we are seeking to recruit a Speech and Language Therapist to join our busy and close-knit team, and can offer varied and rewarding work in a number of contexts - with an opportunity to help us shape and deliver our much needed and valued services. We are keen to hear from speech and language therapists who are experienced in working with children and young people, particularly those who have experience of neurodevelopmental assessments, and can contribute to the development of this area of Oakdale’s work.

Oakdale is an agile organisation able to offer full or part time employed roles, as well as opportunities for associate practitioners, with flexible hours including daytime, evening and Saturday work.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Reporting to the Head of the Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service

• To provide clinically safe, effective, person centred and evidence based speech and language therapy assessment and intervention, around complex communication

• To work flexibly and travel to multiple sites (Harrogate, Halifax and Leeds) as required

• To work in collaboration with allied professionals and maintain links with a variety of bodies.

• To provide clinical assessments and interventions in line with Oakdale’s policies and operating procedures

• To select and use appropriate formal and informal assessment tools. To analyse, interpret and report results

• To report assessments findings in a timely manner and ensure key findings and recommendations are shared with families, school/college staff and/or community teams as appropriate

• To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings and reviews

• To supervise the work of other Speech and Language therapists, assistants and students, as appropriate.

• To maintain adherence to NICE guidelines, RCSLT guidelines and Oakdale’s clinical standards To be accountable for your own professional actions, recognise professional/clinical boundaries and scope of practise, seeking advice, support, and supervision as appropriate.

• To maintain accurate case records on Oakdale’s case management system, including clinical observations, clinical notes, tests and other associated data according to Oakdale’s operating procedures.

• To complete and maintain accurate speech and language therapy case notes in accordance with RCSLT and HCPC best practice guidance.

• To address issues of confidentiality, consent and sharing of information throughout assessment and intervention and clearly record in the case management system.

• To respect the confidentiality, individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of learners and to contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.

• To participate in regular clinical supervision

• To maintain your own clinical professional development (CPD) and records in accordance with HCPC and RCSLT standards

• To participate in service development initiatives

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent.

• UK HCPC Registration.

• Eligibility for membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist

• Experience with young people who have complex communication, including Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Language Delay.

• Experience of work with children in a CAMHS or other healthcare setting, including adult healthcare setting.

• Experience working at NHS band 6 or equivalent level.

• An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills.

• The ability to use a computer competently, with a broad base of IT skills.

• The ability to work on your own initiative and prioritise workload and demonstrate effective management of clinical caseload.

• Strong literacy and report writing skills, with excellent accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to provide safe and effective speech and language therapy assessments and interventions.

• Skilled in carrying out both individual and group interventions.

• Ability to communicate effectively with learners, carers and other professionals.

• Ability to show leadership and professional working and lead by example

• Experience of supervising more junior colleagues

• Ability to demonstrate clinical governance in professional work

• Ability to operate effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team

• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to and responsibility for own CPD (continuing professional development)

Desirable:

• Experience of delivering specialist assessments in complex communication and Autism Spectrum Condition

• Advanced knowledge of developmental trauma and in supporting families with children who are looked after/adopted

• Skills in presentation and training other professionals

What we offer

Salary: £42,000 to £47,000 WTE according to experience

In return for the hard work and dedication from our teams, we offer the following benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising after length of service) 

• Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay (OSP)

• Enhanced pension 

• Cycle to work & enhanced car schemes

• Simplyhealth Programme including Employee Assistant Programme, GP and priority physiotherapy access

• Fully funded flu vaccines

• Employee discount scheme

• Technology salary sacrifice scheme for home appliances, tablets, mobiles, TV’s, fitness trackers and more

• A supportive culture that values work-life balance including agile working and the option to apply for flexible working from day one.

• Ongoing CPD (internal & external)  - we work with experts to bring high-quality CPD to our teams, to help further their skills and knowledge and improve the support we provide

• Clinical and case management supervision and peer support

Location & Hours

Full and part time opportunities available, as well as associate work.

Hours by agreement.

Based in Harrogate, Leeds or Halifax with some remote working possible.

Interviews

Early applications are welcome. Interviews will commence on a rolling basis as suitable applications are received.