Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Stroke

• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (R.C.S.L.T.).
• Post graduate training in specialist area.
• Attendance at courses, conferences or study days which support Speech and Language Therapy knowledge and/or practice.
• Highly specialised knowledge of the head, neck and thorax.
• Maintenance of clinical knowledge base/level of professional competency across the range of acquired communication and swallowing disorders to ensure evidence-based practice.
• Able to identify areas for own personal/professional development.
• Specialist knowledge relevant to stroke
• Awareness of the potential uses of videofluoroscopy and FEES in dysphagia management and patient referral criteria.
• Understanding of audit and its role in clinical practice/service development.
• Awareness of SSNAP (The Sentinel Stroke National Audit Program).
• Knowledge of policies and procedures and guidelines relevant to role.
• Awareness of range of software available for therapeutic. purposes.
• Understanding of NHS structure and systems.
• Awareness of cultural diversity and equality issues.
• Good working knowledge of frailty and underlying health conditions.
• Post-graduate clinical experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist in a clinical setting.
• Experience in providing therapy to patients following a stroke.
• Working in a multi-professional environment.
• Able to independently make complex discharge decisions and advise the MDT on the safety of potential discharges in terms of communication and swallowing.
• Working in a team.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Managing a clinical caseload and prioritising tasks.
• Clinical audit.
• Presenting training sessions/talks.
• Experience of supervising junior colleagues
• Training student Speech and Language Therapists
• Skills & Abilities
• Competent in the assessment and management of a range of swallowing and communication disorders.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills to facilitate therapeutic relationships.
• High quality written communication skills.
• High quality verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex and potentially distressing information to clients, carers and other professionals in a sensitive manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively with angry or distressed patients/relatives
• Ability to adapt communication style to overcome barriers to understanding.
• Able to communicate effectively with members of the MDT regarding patient care.
• Able to manage the emotional consequences of working with communication impaired clients and their relatives, in distressing situations, such as late stage terminal illness or coming to terms with disability.
• Able to carry out assessment in physically restricted situations e.g. at the bedside.
• Excellent observation skills.
• Able to analyse and evaluate results of formal/informal assessments of communication and swallowing, evaluate outcomes and modify approach to maximise outcome.
• Able to contribute to complex discharge decisions, advising the MDT on the safety of potential discharges in terms of communication and swallowing.
• Behaviour change skills.
• Ability to motivate or persuade others to facilitate change.
• Able to keep accurate records relating to patient care.
• Ability to reflect on practice with peers/supervisor(s).
• Active team member.
• Able to train/teach students, other professionals and assistants.
• Flexibility/adaptability in handling work pressures, competing interests and busy caseload to meet service need.
• Prioritisation skills.
• Developed time management skills.
• Well-developed problem solving/analytical skills.
• Able to recognise own clinical and experience boundaries and to seek support/advice when appropriate.
• Well-motivated, with a commitment to developing the service
• Strong commitment to personal development.
• IT skills (word-processing, e-mail; internet, intranet searches, presentation skills).
• Competencies in the interpretation of videofluoroscopies.

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