OVERVIEW

To assess, diagnose, treat and provide intervention in accordance to the service delivery models for clients with speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders across the programmes. In addition, providing supervision and mentoring to the entry-level speech and language pathologists and training teachers, parents, and volunteers involved in the treatment process. The job role also includes planning, undertaking, guiding, and implementing research, carrying out administrative duties such as strategic planning, preparing budget, manpower projection, and other duties related to the day-to-day operations, as directed by the head of the department.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Clinical Responsibilities

a. Assess, plan and provide intervention for the assigned routine and complex cases, as per the programme's service delivery model

b. Monitor outcomes and modify treatment and management plans for routine and complex cases.

c. Provide speech therapy consultation, support and update on the clients' progress and status to relevant members of the rehabilitation team, parents and caregivers, when appropriate.

d. Evaluate and document clients' speech therapy needs and progress at regular intervals.

e. Refer clients to respective specialists for consultation and appropriate intervention.

f. Evaluate, prescribe and fabricate/purchase assistive devices as required by the clients to improve function.

g. Supervise and train teachers / assistants in techniques of feeding and communication to facilitate implementation in classroom setting.

h. Liaise and teach parents in client handling skills to ensure and encourage continuity of ST programs both at the centre and home.

i. Facilitate transition/integration into mainstream education by assisting children with special needs integrate into mainstream schooling through suitable speech therapy intervention programmes

2. Specialized Clinics and / or Projects:

a. Work with clients, their parents and therapists/professionals on concerns related to feeding/swallowing, augmentative and alternative communication, literacy, socio-pragmatic and communication skills.

b. Develop and establish effective augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) techniques and strategies, including selecting, prescribing and dispensing of aids and devices, and training individuals, caregivers, family members and other communication devices.

c. Evaluate, prescribe and fabricate/purchase assistive devices as required by the clients to improve function.

d. Suggest possible project ideas and assist in drafting proposals and budget, as and when required.

e. Assist in measuring and reporting the outcomes of the clinics and / or projects.

3. Departmental Administration

1. Assist and Support the Head, Speech and Language Pathology Department, to:

a. Ensure that speech therapy records of clients are kept and information on the following are properly recorded:

• Initial assessment

• Re-assessment

• Therapy goals, aims and objectives

• Clients' Progress Report

• Review therapy plan when necessary

• Schedule planning

• Discharge planning

• Maintain database of all clients under supervision

b. Contribute to administrative duties relevant to department and organisation

- Strategic Planning

- Developing and tracking Budget

- Association programmes and committees

- Manpower planning and recruitment

- Sourcing for locums when needed

- Coaching, Training and Consultancy

- Evaluating projects

- Staff appraisal and learning needs analyses

- Purchase of resources and equipment

- Self-development and Performance Management

- Department records

- Planning and Organizing Events

- Dept representation for sector / national level work groups, and/or committees

c. Assess and evaluate documentation procedures (e.g. templates, record keeping, updating, maintenance), propose recommendations and lead changes/improvements within the team, in collaboration with HOD

d. Monitor and attain a high level of professionalism for the benchmarks set - Performance Evaluation System (PES), Best Practice Guidelines (BPG)

e. Evaluation of effectiveness / relevance of programs and/or service delivery model(s).

f. Evaluation the effectiveness of resource allocation and utilisation in the department for budget planning and resource procurement

g. Contribution to all other administrative duties and responsibilities assigned by the Head, Speech and Language Pathology Dept

4. Clinical Education and Training

a. Provide supervision and mentoring to the entry-level speech and language pathologists and students pursuing courses on undergraduate/postgraduate course in Speech and Language Pathology.

b. Adapt teaching style to facilitate the learning experience of a variety of student(s) and/or speech therapist(s).

c. Design, develop and plan learning and teaching methods and resources

d. Review and update educational resource(s)

e. Review and/or develop assessment tool(s)

f. Conduct lectures/workshops as part of a structured training programme.

g. Provide input and/or crafting supervisory frameworks in accordance with Allied Health Professions Act (AHPC) recommendations and guidelines in collaboration with Head of SLP Department

h. Review or set standards for clinical competencies within the department in collaboration with the Head of SLP Department and senior colleagues.

i. Co-plan and propose timeline for students' attachment including assignment of clinical educator/s prioritising the service provision as well as sustainability of clinical coordinator's position

5. Caregivers, Teachers, Peers training:

a. Design, develop, implement and evaluate training programmes (including funding proposals, applications, curriculum development, resources) for stakeholders in collaboration with other SLPs.

b. Conduct in-house training programs for relevant staff, teachers, parents, caregivers and volunteers in the organisation.

6. Research and Development

a. Conduct research, where feasible and relevant, to areas of speech therapy service delivery, as directed by Head, Speech and Language Pathology Department.

b. Assist in planning and implementing research and development programmes in consultation with Head, Speech and Language Pathology Department.

c. Conduct, disseminate and apply research in communication sciences and disorders.

7. Professional Growth and Development

a. Keep abreast of latest developments in service delivery of speech therapy related areas to ensure that therapy programs are kept updated.

b. Develop skills and competencies in the areas of leadership and management.

c. Assist in developing and conducting periodic reviews of training modules/resources for relevant staff, teachers, parents, caregivers and volunteers in the organisation.

d. Develop competencies in areas relevant to job scope: clinical, supervision, mentoring and clinical education and training,

8. Advocacy

a. . Coordinate and liaise with relevant agencies for partnerships in creating awareness and advocacy in accordance to the vision and mission of the Association as directed by Head, Speech and Language Pathology Department.

REQUIREMENTS

• Masters in Speech and Language Pathology / Therapy, Full Registration under AHPC,
• with at least 8 years of experience in providing supervision and mentoring to junior therapists, handling projects and research work.
• Experience in staff management, strategic planning, budget preparation, program evaluation and managing day-to-day operations would be an added advantage.