Speech & Language Therapist

Speech & Language Therapist Senior

Job Specification, Terms & Conditions

Job Title, Grade

Campaign

Reference

Closing Date

Proposed Interview

Date(s)

Taking up

Appointment

Organisational

Area

Location of Post

Speech and Language Therapist Senior – (Grade Code 3379)

NRS0594

Monday, 5 th March 2012 at 5:00pm

Week commencing 26 th March 2012

Start date to be indicated at job offer stage.

All Health Service Executive (HSE) Areas – DML, DNE, West and South

Please note the panel created from this recruitment campaign will be used to supplement the existing national panel for Speech & Language Therapist Senior for Adult Acquired

(Incorporating Older Persons) Service Area/Care Group Settings and will be used to fill vacancies at all HSE sites as appropriate.

There are immediate vacancies for Speech & Language Therapist Senior Adult Acquired

(Incorporating Older Persons) Service Area/Care Group Settings in the following sites:

 Sligo/Leitrim/W.Cavan

The Speech and Language Therapy Service Team consists 1 Speech and

Language Therapist Manager, 1 Clinical Specialist, 11 Speech & Language

Therapists Senior and 6 Speech & Language Therapists Staff Grade working across community, disability, acute and CAMHS services.

Informal Enquiries for this post:

Marian Gillespie, Speech & Language Therapist Manager

Contact details: Tel: 087 6607743

E mail: marian.gillespie@hse.ie

 Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise

 Acute care site with SLT service to Adults with Acquired Communication and FEDS disorders

 Videofluoroscopy experience is not essential as onsite training in MRH Tullamore can be provided

 Tracheostomy experience is useful

 Speech & Language Therapist Senior works as part of a wider team of Speech &

Language Therapists working in Acute and PCCC sites.

 Good support and educational opportunities

 Supportive MDT environment within the hospital; the service is established and medical and surgical teams are supportive of SLT


Breda Flynn Murphy, Speech & Language Therapist Manager

Contact details: Tel: (057) 9358721 pager 306 and 0868337866

E mail: breda.flynnmurphy@hse.ie

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Speech & Language Therapist Senior (Adult Acquired) NRS0594

 Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar

The Speech and Language Therapy Acute Service Team at Midland Regional

Hospital Mullingar consists of 2 Senior Speech and Language Therapists who are also members of the Longford/Westmeath Speech and Language Therapy Team.

MRHM is a regional stroke centre with an acute stroke unit .The person appointed to this post will provide a service to acute care patients at the hospital and support their discharge to community. There is an ethos of multidisciplinary working throughout the hospital and a video fluoroscopy service is also provided. There is close liaison with the community SLT team which promotes integrated discharge planning and joint therapy interventions.


Ms Betty Kelly, Speech & Language Therapist Manager

Contact details: Tel: (044) 9384288

E mail: Betty.Kelly1@hse.ie.

 Letterkenny General Hospital

 Approximately 320 bedded hospital

 4 acute medical wards & medical rehabilitation unit

 Dedicated stroke care unit to become fully operational in 2012 with the move to the new build on the existing hospital campus.

 VFSS service operational

 2 WTE Speech & Language Therapists Senior currently appointed to acute services in Letterkenny


Edel Quinn, Speech & Language Therapist Manager.

Contact details: Tel: 074 9197141 / 087 7943242

E-mail: edel.quinn@hse.ie

 Cavan General Hospital

 Stroke Unit post - new post through the QCCD programme.

 Will be based in the newly formed MDT Stroke Unit in Cavan General Hospital.

Cavan General Hospital is an Acute Hospital with catchment area of counties

Cavan & Monaghan. There is a 1.0wte Senior SLT employed already for all wards in Cavan General Hospital, along with a 0.8wte Basic Grade Agency SLT.

 Most Stroke patients then transfer to the MDT Rehabilitation Unit (20 beds) in

Monaghan Hospital, where there is a dedicated Rehab Senior SLT.

 There are also 14 fully operational Primary Care Teams across Cavan Monaghan

HSE area, which all communicate with Acute staff.

 Across Cavan Monaghan HSE there is a Speech & Language Therapy Department of 22 staff – covering both Acute and Primary Care Services.

 This post will report to SLT Manager. Formal supervision/support contracts will be agreed with other Senior SLTs. There is a formal induction process in place.

 Contact details for informal enquiries for each individual site so applicants can call to enquire about individual posts.


Caralyn Horne, Speech & Language Therapist Manager.

Contact details: Tel: 049 5552555 / 087 980 5695

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Details of Service

Reporting

Relationship

Purpose of the

Post

Principal Duties and

Responsibilities

Email: caralyn.horne@hse.ie

 Kerry General Hospital

Details to be provided shortly

The person appointed to this post will work within the Integrated Services Directorate; working as part of multi-disciplinary teams delivering a coordinated approach to client care.

S/he will be required to work as a key worker for particular cases.

Please note more post specific information will be provided to candidates at the ‘expression of interest’ stage of the recruitment process.

Your professional reporting relationship for clinical governance and clinical supervision will be to the Head of Discipline.

Until such time as arrangements have been finalised on a system for the management of the day to day operation of teams within the Integrated Services Directorate, existing reporting relationships to the Head of Discipline will continue.

To provide a quality Speech & Language Therapist Service. To work with the Speech and

Language Therapist Manager in co-ordinating the service to meet the needs of the service user and the objectives of the organisation. To support and supervise students and staff as designated and promote continuing professional development.

Professional / Clinical

The Speech & 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 (e.g. clinic, home, school, day centre) 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



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.

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

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



In conjunction with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager, contribute to the development and implementation of procedures, policies and guidelines while adhering to existing standards and protocols.



Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation



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.



Operate within the scope of Speech & Language Therapy practice as set out by the

Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists



Participate in and develop activities which support health promotion



Carry out other duties as assigned by the Speech & Language Therapist Manager

Education and Training




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 & Language Therapist

Manager



Engage in planning and performance reviews, as required with the Speech and

Language Therapist Manager

Health & Safety




Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish

Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.



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

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Eligibility Criteria,

Qualifications and/ or experience



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

Administrative

The Speech & Language Therapist Senior will, in consultation with the Speech and

Language Therapist Manager:



Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of service in designated area(s)



Ensure good working practice and adherence to standards of best practice



Promote quality by reviewing and evaluating the Speech & Language Therapy service, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services.



Assist the Speech and Language Therapist 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



Deputise for the Speech and Language Therapist 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

Candidates must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms for the post possess:

(a) (i) the B.Sc degree (Clinical Speech and Language Studies) from the University of

Dublin or

(ii) the BA (Moderatorship)(Remedial Linguistics) from the University of Dublin or

(iii) the M.SC in Speech & Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) from the

University of Limerick or

(iv) Licentiateship from the College of Speech Therapists or

(v) A validated Speech & Language qualification at least equivalent to (i), (ii), (iii) or

(iv) above ** and

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Post Specific

Requirements, additional qualifications and / or experience

Other requirements specific to the post

(b) have at least three years satisfactory post qualification experience

and

(c) a suitable standard of professional attainments

and

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

**Please note a Speech & Language Therapy qualification from National University of

Ireland, Galway and University College Cork is a recognised qualification.

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.

Adult Acquired (including older persons)



Ability to assess and manage communication and feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing disorders in the adult population as it applies to the post.



Experience in conducting, interpreting and reporting instrumental swallowing assessments e.g. videofluoroscopic swallow studies and/or FEES (fibre optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing).



In-depth knowledge and experience in the areas of specialism as it applies to the post



Speech & Language Therapists who work with people with feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties must hold a dysphagia qualification or equivalent as outlined in “Standards of Practice for Speech & Language Therapists on the

Management of Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)”

Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT) 2007

Further requirements may be outlined at the “expression of interest” stage of the recruitment process e.g. access to transport, fluency in Irish etc.

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Skills, competencies and/or knowledge



Demonstrate sufficient clinical knowledge and evidence based practice to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role .



Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to evidence based practice



Demonstrate the ability to plan and deliver care in an effective and resourceful manner



Demonstrate an ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment



Demonstrate the ability to effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions



Demonstrate a commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a user centred service



Demonstrate effective team skills



Display effective communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, carers, etc.



Display awareness and appreciation of the service user and the ability to empathise with and treat service users / others with dignity and respect.



Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change



Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively



Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role



Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development

Campaign Specific

Selection Process

Ranking /

Shortlisting /

Interview

Code of Practice

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of

Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of

Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for candidates”.

Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of

Practice, information for candidates” or on www.cpsa.ie

.

The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.

This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

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Tenure

Remuneration

Working Week

Annual Leave

Superannuation

Probation

Protection of

Persons

Reporting Child

Abuse Act 1998

Ethics in Public

Office 1995 and

2001

Speech & Language Therapist Senior

Terms and Conditions of Employment

The initial vacancies for this post are permanent whole-time and part-time. This post is pensionable. A panel will be formed from this recruitment campaign and future permanent or specified purpose vacancies will be filled from this panel. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act

2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.

The Salary scale (as at 01/01/10) for the post is:

Euro €50,134 – 51,224 – 52,348 – 53,462 – 54,577 – 55,750 – 56,986 – 58,219 – 59,208

(pro rata)

The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.

HSE Circular 0032009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended

Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of

Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16 th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster

/ on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework

Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).

The annual leave associated with the post is: 29 days as per Circular 005 / 2009

Membership of the HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme applies to this appointment.

Existing Members who transferred to the HSE on 1st January 2005 pursuant to Section

60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE

Scheme which are no less favourable to those to which they were entitled at 31st

December 2004.

Appointees to posts in the Mental Health Services which formerly attracted fast accrual of service should note that the terms of Section 65 of the Mental Treatment Act 1945 do not apply to New Entrant Public Servants as defined by Section 12 of the Public Service

Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health

Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child

Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction.

You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€

64,812 as at 01.01.2010) are designated positions under Section 18 of the Ethics in

Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed to a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined

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Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale ( €

64,812 as at

01.01.10) below;

A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual statement of any interests which could materially influence the performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive

Officer not later than 31st January in the following year.

B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the Chief Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.

C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice published or given by the

Standards in Public Office Commission. Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards Commission’s website http://www.sipo.gov.ie/

Infection Control Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)

Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National

Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene

Standards etc

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Speech & Language Therapist

Speech & Language Therapist Senior

Job Specification, Terms & Conditions