Speech Language Therapist

Job Description

Short Description for Internal Candidates

To provide evaluation and treatment to patients of all ages with speech, language, cognitive-communicative, voice and swallowing disorders.

*Description for Internal Candidates

• • Is expected to hold an appropriate qualification and be registered with their professional and/or statutory registration/authorizing professional organizations. SLPs are also required to hold a license from the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH).

Professional Knowledge and Skills:

• Must maintain and update professional knowledge and skills to screen, assess, and treat patients with communication and swallowing disorders.
• If the SLP has a dual qualification that includes Audiology, he/she may screen and evaluate the hearing status of the residents.
• Must develop and implement linguistically and culturally appropriate strategies and tools to work with patients.
• Must engage in at least the following appropriate strategies to manage Arabic first language speakers:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skill sufficient to analyze and manage the phonetics, linguistics, and social use of the Arabic language parameters (cf. dialectically relevant to at least Emirati national citizens).
  • Engage the services of a suitably trained translator.

Communication:

• To communicate effectively and collaboratively with nursing, medical colleagues, and voluntary/independent services across health and social care sectors to ensure the delivery of a coordinated multi-disciplinary service. This will include case conferences, handovers, and documentation in the medical records.
• To provide highly specialist advice and support to all team members in their clinical area and members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Professional Responsibilities:

• To work as an autonomous professional according to the standards of DOH.
• To meet the regulations of the DOH and fulfill the requirements for physiotherapy registration.
• To maintain comprehensive and accurate assessment and treatment records in line with legal and departmental requirements and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines in the form of letters and reports.
• To demonstrate a sound understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply it to the work situation and ensure others do likewise.
• To maintain continuing professional development (CPD) by:
  • Keeping up-to-date with developments to ensure that own practice and that of the team is based on the best available evidence.
  • Being an active member of the in-service training program by attending and presenting at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions, external courses, and reflective practice.
  • Informal/formal supervision with Team Lead.
  • Assisting with the facilitation of the team’s continued professional development (both uni-professionally and as an integrated physiotherapy and occupational therapy team).
  • Participating in the staff appraisal scheme and identifying objectives for personal development with the Team Lead. Writing learning contracts to achieve agreed goals seeking support if necessary.
  • Being proactive in seeking supervision to support clinical/management/professional issues from the Team Lead.
  • Facilitating and supporting the identification, measurement, and evaluation of your work and team’s current practice through the use of evidence-based practice projects, audits, and outcome measures.
  • Making recommendations to team and personal practice.

Managerial/Organizational Responsibilities:

• To efficiently and effectively manage designated caseload with regard to clinical responsibilities and use of time.
• To attend mandatory training sessions, including annual fire and safety lectures, cardiac resuscitation lectures, and safe patient manual handling training.
• To ensure the application of professional standards in day-to-day practice of physiotherapy.
• To ensure/manage health and safety aspects within the workplace and abide by policies, including the prompt reporting and documentation of incidents and accidents.
• To be responsible for ensuring the effective selection and use of all treatment resources available in the department.
• To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties and to adhere to departmental equipment policy, including competence to use equipment and ensuring the safe use of equipment by others.
• To comply with organizational and departmental policies and procedures and be proactive in identifying, reviewing, and updating them as appropriate, which may impact beyond own area.
• Any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Team Lead.
• To carry out responsibilities with due regard to the ‘Equal Opportunities’ Policy.
• To be aware of the responsibility of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff and attend all relevant health and safety training.
• To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard.

Health, Safety, and Security:

• Shall undertake roles and responsibilities in accordance with general requirements of OSHAD SF - Element 01 - Roles and responsibilities and self-regulation.
• Familiarize themselves and comply with all OSH policies, standards, and procedures that are relevant for their workplace.
• Monitor and maintain health, safety, and security of self and others.
• Adheres to the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System.
• Adheres to requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines and Infection Control Guidelines.
• Understands and adheres to emergency preparedness, fire safety, and code policies/plans.
• Complete mandatory education and competencies as well as specific education and competencies.
• Adheres to the responsibility assigned to them during emergency.
• Participate in emergency mock drills.
• Participate in the Risk Assessment in their respective area and communicate information to other employees.
• Cooperate with Department Managers and OSH team with respect to any action taken by them to comply with OSHAD requirements.
• Notify safety representative of any hazards, mishaps, or incidents within or outside their area of work.
• Report to their immediate supervisor/manager any unsafe practices, incidents, or situations they may experience or witness.
• Assist patients, families, and visitors in case of emergency.

Qualifications

*Qualifications for Internal Candidates

• Assess, diagnose, and manage Communication and Swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
• Provide evidence-based intervention in Outpatient and Inpatient settings.
• Conduct comprehensive Swallowing assessments and Dysphagia management.
• Manage tracheostomy and ventilator-dependent patients, including speaking valve assessment (preferred).
• Bachelors Degree / Masters
• Minimum 2 years of clinical experience, preferably in adult rehabilitation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in FEES and/or VFSS interpretation and management is preferred.
• Excellent command of oral and written English. Knowledge of Arabic language is desirable but not essential.

Certification and Licensure

• DHA /MOH/DOH Pass or with licensure

Additional Information

We embrace diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be