Senior Speech and Language Therapist
Senior Speech and Language Therapist
The Senior Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) will be a key member of the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) in County Laois, providing specialist speech and language services to children and young people (0-18 years) with complex developmental needs and disabilities. The Senior SLT will deliver assessments, interventions, and therapy plans tailored to each child’s communication and swallowing needs. The role includes leadership in clinical practice, supervision of junior therapists, and active participation in service development to improve outcomes for children and families.
Key Responsibilities – Senior Speech and Language Therapist
- Conduct comprehensive speech and language assessments for children with developmental delays, communication disorders, and feeding/swallowing difficulties.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate individualised therapy plans to support communication development and manage feeding issues.
- Use a family-centered approach, working closely with parents and caregivers to ensure therapy goals are integrated into daily activities.
- Manage a varied caseload of children with complex needs, ensuring timely access to services and intervention.
- Prioritise cases based on clinical need and regularly review and adjust therapy plans as necessary.
- Apply evidence-based practices in the treatment of communication and swallowing disorders.
- Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
- Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and interdisciplinary goal setting to ensure holistic care for each child.
- Contribute to joint assessments and intervention plans with other team members.
Provide clinical leadership and mentoring to junior SLTs and students, supporting their professional development.
- Lead team discussions on best practices and emerging research in the field of speech and language therapy.
- Offer guidance on complex cases and ensure high standards of service delivery within the team.
- Contribute to the development and enhancement of the CDNT’s speech and language therapy services.
- Engage in quality improvement initiatives, audits, and evaluations to improve service delivery and outcomes for children and families.
- Identify gaps in services and propose strategies for addressing unmet needs.
- Involve families and caregivers in every stage of the therapeutic process, ensuring they are active partners in decision-making and therapy implementation.
- Provide education and training to parents and caregivers on strategies to support their child’s communication and feeding needs at home.
- Advocate for the needs and rights of children with communication difficulties within the healthcare and educational systems.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records in line with professional and organisational standards.
- Prepare detailed reports for case reviews, Individualised Family Service Plans (IFSPs), and any external agencies, as needed.
- Ensure confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.
Qualifications & Skills Required – Speech Speech and Language Therapist
- A recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
- Registration or eligibility for registration with CORU as a Speech and Language Therapist.
- A minimum of 3 years of post-qualification experience, with experience in paediatrics, ideally within a disability or early intervention setting.
- Expertise in the assessment and management of speech, language, communication, and feeding/swallowing disorders in children with complex needs.
To apply click below or contact jreid@medforce.ie
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