Speech and Language Pathologist II

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Senior Paediatric Speech and Language Pathologist to join our service. Candidates must have extensive experience of working with children with eating/drinking and infant feeding disorders, and preferably in ABI, TBI, trauma and Oncology.  Training and experience in objective instrumental assessment i.e. VFSS/FEES and/or working in an acute setting is highly desirable.

As a Highly Specialist Pediatric Speech and Language Pathology, you will provide care for patients aged 0-18 years within our Dysphagia Inpatient service. Additionally, you will help develop services for these patients and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team that includes Nursing, Dietitian’s and Physician’s (ENT/Pulmonology/GI/ Cardiology/Neonatology /Neurology).

Clinical leadership experience in a specialized area of Speech and Language Pathology is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide highly specialized Speech and Language Pathology services within an acute setting

• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams including VFSS and FEES services

• Supervise junior Speech and Language Pathologists

• Lead on service development and quality improvement initiatives in your specialist area

Key role Accountabilities:

Clinical:

• Makes autonomous decisions related to the plans of care for children.
• Provides total individualized patient care as assigned according to the core standards of patient care and established policies and evidence-based practices. 
• Holds a caseload and provides a speech and language therapy service to children with a range of communication and / or feeding and swallowing difficulties.
• Assumes delegated accountability for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating therapy needs as well as discharge planning for each patient, assessing for current and potential problems.
• Administers standardized and age-appropriate speech and language tests and use non-standardized assessment procedures when indicated.
• Administers instrumental analysis, when appropriate.
• Interprets results and develop recommendations in collaboration with the inter-professional team, when necessary.
• Contributes to decreasing the length of stay/waiting time as per unit specific goal. Works in collaboration with Case Management to achieve goals.
• Documents all relevant information correctly, appropriately and in a timely manner. 
• Identifies and alerts members of the medical team to changes in the medical status of the patient.
• Identifies impairments and refers to other medical specialties when necessary.
• Liaises with the appropriate Speech Language Pathology services in the community and provides transfer/discharge information.
• Liaises with educational personnel about the effects of the patient’s difficulties and the impact on learning, communication and feeding, eating and drinking.
• Liaises with the appropriate speech language pathology services in the community and provides transfer/discharge information.
• Educates the patient/family and other members of the health care team regarding the speech therapy plan.
• Provides consultation to patients/families, staff, community agencies and satellite centers.
• Participates in community outreach activities e.g. school-based therapy, homecare.
• Identifies Speech Language Pathology research opportunities and participates in and/or develop and promote research.
• Contributes and maintains library of therapy resources and therapy equipment held within the department and ensures equipment is complete, tidy and adheres to the Sidra Medicine infection control policies and procedures.
• Reports equipment failures, safety and security issues, and/or reduction of supply inventory to Speech Language Pathology Supervisor or designee.
• Acts as an advocate by empowering patients and their families to make informed choices by providing them with information and support and directing the relevant support services when appropriate.
• Liaises and works within an inter-professional practice model to ensure high quality, holistic, and safe family centered care.
• Participates in the development programs that seek to measure outcomes and quality, including audit and research studies, under guidance, support and direction of senior staff.
• Participates in patient education programs. 
• Promotes patient satisfaction as a team member by demonstration of extraordinary service.
• Utilizes a professional practice framework and evidence-based care and therapy approaches for maximizing effective service delivery.
• Continually identifies improvements within service while minimizing risks.  Creating care that is optimal for our patients and families. 
• Promotes a safe environment and safe patient care by embracing a safety culture and identifying areas of risk to Speech Language Pathology Supervisor. Complies with policies for personal and patient safety and for the prevention of healthcare associated infections.
• Contributes to the achievement of cost efficiency savings for the service. Maintains an awareness of resource utilization, exercising care in the ordering and use of staff, equipment and materials.
• Takes an active role in service activities that contribute to excellence in outcomes, a positive patient experience and a healthy professional environment. Contributes to the achievement of clinical quality outcome indicators and patient satisfaction. Leads service-based Performance Improvement activities and organizational committees as assigned. Leads special projects/assignments linked to clinical specialism, therapy strategic priorities and professional practice models.
• Participates in the continued development, implementation, and evaluation of Sidra Policy and Procedures to align with international best practices
• Promotes and shares knowledge via mentorship/preceptorship programs in line with relevant research and evidence-based practice.
• Actively participates in the development programs that seek to measure outcomes and quality, including audit and research studies, under guidance, support and direction of senior staff.
• Actively participates in and designs patient education programs.
• Participates in new staff/student orientation aimed at developing competence and performance. Assists in maintaining a suitable learning environment and acts as a mentor in the supervision and teaching of therapy students and new staff to develop their competencies.
• Demonstrates transcultural principles in Speech Language Pathology practice.
• Actively participates in the promotion and maintenance of effective communication and teamwork. 
• Actively welcomes and provides support for new staff/students to the unit. Contributes to the retention of all staff to meet the service specific turnover rate goal. Participates in retention activities.
• Upholds the organizational values at all times.
• Follows all Hospital related policies and procedures.
• Is able to cope with occasionally potentially stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner.

Communication:

• Is able to motivate and persuade patients through effective communication skills.
• Is able to communicate information when there are barriers to communication and understanding.
• Regularly reports to the Speech and Language Pathology Supervisor.
• Liaises with members of the inter-disciplinary teams regarding patient care to ensure high quality, holistic, and safe family centered care.
• Liaises with managers, administrative and support staff as necessary.
• Attends and contribute to meetings and case conferences as appropriate.

Education: 

• Is responsible for continued professional development. 
• Maintains Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP) licensure.

Professional:

• Is an active member of the Speech and Language Pathology Team, attending relevant meetings as appropriate.
• Develops and maintains own knowledge, clinical skills including fulfilling mandatory training requirements and maintains a professional profile.  Provides documented evidence of performance and maintenance of skills consistent with position.
• Maintains a professional demeanor at all times.  Acts as a role model for junior staff.
• Treats colleagues, patients and visitors with dignity and respect always.
• Participates in PDP meetings and supervision sessions
• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times.
• Responsible for maintaining up to date mandatory Life Support Training requirements as directed by MoPH and Sidra (e.g. BLS, AED etc.).
• Adheres to Sidra’s standards as they appear in the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies
• Adheres to and promotes Sidra’s Values

In view of the evolving needs and opportunities within Sidra, this position may be required to perform other duties as assigned and reporting relationships may vary.