Speech and Language Therapists

Applications are invited for the above full-time (35 Hours) permanent positions.

The Organisation

Stewarts is a long-established voluntary organisation providing comprehensive community-based services to people with intellectual disability in the West Dublin area. Stewarts Care is the lead agency for two interdisciplinary Children’s Disability Network teams (CDNT5 and 6) in line with Progressing Children’s Disability Services. These teams are based in Stewarts Care, Palmerstown and Rossecourt, Lucan.

Purpose of the Post:

We are seeking energetic, flexible, innovative, and enthusiastic Speech & Language Therapists to join our CDNT and to provide quality, evidence-based, and family-centered Speech and Language Therapy service to children and young people (0 – 18 years) with complex needs within an interdisciplinary framework.

This is an opportunity for the right candidate to develop their skills and be a positive influence at an exciting time within our services.

Candidates must meet the following criteria relevant to the role:

• Hold a qualification in Speech and Language Therapy approved by the Speech and Language Therapy Registration Board at CORU.

• Practitioners must maintain annual registration on the Speech and Language Therapy register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapy Registration Board at CORU.

• Qualified to practice with disorders of Feeding, Eating, Drinking, and Swallowing (FEDS).

• Possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability and ability, for the proper discharge of the office.

• Evidence of participation in continuous professional development.

• Must be fully proficient in ICT skills.

• Professional, accountable, planning, and time management skills

• Knowledge of all the relevant children and disability-related legislation and standards of practice.

• Experience of inter-disciplinary team working.

• Demonstrate experience of working with children and adolescents with a range of disabilities presenting with complex needs post-qualification.

• Have knowledge of relevant National Health and Social Care Frameworks for children's disability services.

• Knowledge of Community Healthcare Organisation Governance of Children’s Disability Network Service.

• Have a full clean driving licence and access to a car.

Salary and qualifications are in accordance with Department of Health consolidated pay scales. Salary Scale is Speech and Language Therapist €40,325 - €58,483 inc. LSI per annum.

Detailed job description is available on our careers page here https://www.stewartscare.ie/about/careers. Campaign Ref: SC004/5

Applications should include a CV and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria.

Email: recruitment@stewartscare.ie or by Post: HR Dept., Stewarts Care, Mill Lane, Palmerstown, D20 XT80.

Closing date: 11th May 2023

Applications will be short-listed based on the information supplied.

A panel may be formed, from which future permanent and temporary positions may be filled.

Stewarts Care is an Equal Opportunities Employer

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Job Description Speech and Language Therapist – CDNT

Role

Speech and Language Therapist

Duration of Post

Full Time Permanent

Location

Children’s Disability Network Teams are be based in Stewarts Care, Palmerstown and Rossecourt, Lucan

Reporting Relationship

Children Disability Network Manager (CDNM)

Job Purpose

To provide a family-centred and quality-driven Speech and language Therapy Services as part of an inter-disciplinary team and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy for children with complex needs attending services in the Children Disability Networks (CDN) under the Stewarts Care Services as the lead agency.

Scope of the Role

• The scope of the post will be working with children and young people (0-18) with complex needs and their families.

• The successful candidate will have the opportunity to provide quality evidence-based Speech & Language Therapy service including assessment of family needs, and a range of advisory, practical and skilled emotional supports The service is provided within the Progressing Disabilities Services for Children and young people (PDS) framework, with interdisciplinary team working and family centred practice at its core.

• The brief of the post will be working with children in CDNT 6 in Stewart’s Care Services which is the lead agency for CDNT’s (CDNT-5 and 6) in line with ethos of Progressing Children’s Disability Services (PDS). These teams will be based in Stewarts Care Palmerstown and Rossecourt, Lucan. Flexibility however, may be required by the post-holder to meet the needs of the children supported by the organisation if deemed necessary as may be directed by the CDNM.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Duties

• Responsible for providing essential assessment skills to identify the individual health and educational needs of the child on their designated caseload.

• Provide a quality speech & language therapy service through assessment, diagnosis and management of speech, language and communication and FEDS difficulties for children with a range of disabilities.

• Monitor, audit and evaluate speech, language and communication and FEDS plans and interventions.

• Responsible for completing reports in a designed time frame.

• Responsible for maintaining confidentiality.

• Contribute to CDNT’S quality improvement work that may include, project work, research, evaluation, audit, service development and evaluation of resources.

• Attend and participate in Interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure integrated care for the Service User.

• Attend Individual family service plan (IFSP) meetings and provide SLT input relevant to the child’s goals

• Contribute to CDNT quality improvement that may include; service development, in-service training, and evaluation of resources within the interdisciplinary team working

• Represent the department at CDNT team meetings and conferences as designated by the CDNM.

• Consult with parents/guardians/service users regarding assessment, treatment and education as appropriate.

• Participate in the development of clinical protocols and guidelines reflective of evidence-based practice.

• Manage clinical and non-clinical caseloads appropriate to the post.

• Become familiar with and work in accordance with relevant HSE policies, HIQA standards, legislation and professional policies, guidelines and requirements to ensure safe practice and high standards of service delivery.

• Become familiar with the key National policy documents for children disability services such as the National Access policy, National policy on prioritization of referral among others

• Participate in the Preliminary Team Assessment (PTA) process as may be assigned.

• Promote a culture that values equality, diversity and respect in the workplace.

• In conjunction with the CDNM, contribute to the development and implementation of procedures, policies and guidelines while adhering to existing standards and protocols

• Participate in own clinical supervision sessions with a senior staff member and/or as assigned by the CDNM.

• Work within limits of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance

• Undertake Key Worker role as required.

Quality, Risk, Health and Safety Management

• Participate in any quality improvement projects and change initiatives which may be introduced.

• Follow and adhere to all risk related guidelines as stipulated by Risk Management.

• Ensure the highest level of confidentiality pertaining to all organisational stakeholders.

• Maintain appropriate service user record details and statistics in accordance with organisational and departmental guidelines, along with the Freedom of Information Act.

• Comply with the policies, procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards

• Assist in the development, implementation and review of the department’s Health and Safety statement, as appropriate

• Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of the 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

• Support a culture that values diversity and respect.

Continuous Professional Development

• Contribute to, deliver and participate in SLT and Interdisciplinary education sessions.

• Engage in the education of colleagues, student SLTs, Service Users and other health care professionals in the area of FEDS and Communication.

• Partake in career and personal development planning. Maintain your own professional development and competence.

• Actively participate in induction, clinical supervision, mentoring, appraisal, clinical reflection and be open to reflective practice.

• Attend mandatory training programmes as directed by Stewarts Care.

• Abide by the code of ethics of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists/CORU.

Qualifications & Experience

Candidates must meet the following criteria relevant to the role:

• Hold a qualification in Speech and Language Therapy approved by the Speech and Language Therapy Registration Board at CORU.

• Practitioners must maintain annual registration on the Speech and Language Therapy Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapy Registration Board at CORU.

• Experience carrying out SLT and working within an interdisciplinary team for children with complex needs is desirable.

• Qualified to practice in, and experience supporting people with Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (FEDS) needs.

• Knowledge of the Disability Act 2005 and Health Act 2007.

• Have a full clean driving license and access to a car.

• Ideally, we are seeking candidates with experience working with children and adolescents with a range of disabilities with complex needs.

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.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Speech and Language Therapist - Stewarts

Remuneration

Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health consolidated pay scales.

Current Salary Scale:

€40,325 - €58,483. Salaries and increments are paid in accordance with DOH scales

Annual leave

27 days per annum

Working week

The hours allocated to this post are 35 hours per week with a 7-hour standard working day, exclusive of lunch breaks.

The allocation of these hours will be at the discretion of CDNM.

Probation

All employees will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months, with an extension if required of 9 months. This probationary period applies to all employees irrespective of their role or type of role.

Garda Vetting

Stewarts will carry out Garda vetting on all new employees. An employee will not take up employment with the organisation until the Garda Vetting process has been completed and the organisation is satisfied that such an appointment does not pose a risk to the service users and employees.

References

Stewarts will seek up to two written references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisation with which the candidate has been associated. Stewarts reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.