Job Title and Grade Senior Speech Language Therapist Closing Date 17 th April **** Proposed Interview Date (s) To be confirmed.
Please note you may be called forward for interview at short notice.
Taking up Appointment A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Please note start dates are dependent on service needs.
Location of Post Regional positions are available in multiple locations, including: Kilkenny Enniscorthy Sligo Cavan Letterkenny Athlone Ennis Navan There is some flexibility in the base location for each region, so please feel free to enquire for more details.
Informal Enquiries Patricia Hall: ****** Mobile: ************** Alisha Gagnon: ****** Mobile ************** Details of Service The person appointed to this post will work as part of the Down Syndrome Ireland Speech and Language Therapy service delivering Speech and Language Therapy to individuals with Down Syndrome.
Reporting Relationship Your professional reporting relationship will be to the Head of Speech and Language Therapy Programmes (and/or his/her designated person as appropriate) through the professional line management structure.
Purpose of the Post To provide speech, language, communication, and feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing (FEDS) assessment and intervention to support individuals with Down syndrome to develop their communication skills, enhance participation, and maximise safety and independence in everyday life.
To build the capacity of families, caregivers, educators, and professionals by delivering highquality training, coaching, and collaborative problemsolving, ensuring consistent, informed support for communication needs across all environments.
To develop, implement, and adapt individualised, evidencebased therapy programmes that reflect each person's strengths, interests, learning style, and developmental profile, delivered through a holistic, inclusive, and familycentred approach aligned with DSI's mission of empowerment and meaningful community participation.
To promote awareness and understanding of communication challenges experienced by individuals with Down syndrome, contributing to positive societal attitudes, inclusion, and improved access to opportunities within the wider community.
Roles and Responsibilities 1.Clinical Responsibilities Coordinate and deliver highquality Speech Language Therapy services to individuals with Down Syndrome across lifespan.
Provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for individuals with Down syndrome, ensuring evidencebased and personcentred care.
Prioritise and manage a diverse caseload to ensure continuity and efficiency of service delivery.
Participate in the control, ordering, and safe use of clinical equipment and therapy materials.
Utilise and adapt technological tools that support clinical practice and enhance service outcomes.
Modify clinical approaches in response to emerging evidence, service demands, and individual client needs.
2. Professional Ethical Practice Adhere to CORU standards, DSI policies, IASLT and other recognised professional codes of conduct.
Ensure all clinical and administrative work aligns with bestpractice guidelines, ethical principles and DSI policies.
Maintain a strong commitment to personcentred care, dignity, and respect in all interactions.
Safeguard confidentiality and uphold data protection requirements across all aspects of practice.
Demonstrate accountability for clinical decisions and professional behaviour.
Promote a culture of safety, quality, and ethical awareness within the service.
3. Service Delivery Organisation Coordinate service delivery within assigned areas to ensure efficient and effective operations.
Contribute to the planning and organisation of service pathways to meet evolving needs.
Assist in the development and implementation of service policies, procedures, and protocols.
Provide timely and accurate reports, statistics, and service information as required.
Support the Head/ Deputy Head of Speech Language Therapy Programmes in operational planning and decisionmaking.
Ensure service delivery aligns with DSI national strategy and priorities and national healthservice developments.
4. RecordKeeping Administration Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and uptodate clinical records in accordance with clinical governance standards and DSI file retention policy.
Ensure all documentation complies with the Freedom of Information Act and DSI requirements.
Prepare highquality reports, summaries, and professional correspondence as needed.
Support administrative processes that facilitate efficient and effective service delivery.
Contribute to data collection, audit systems, and information management processes.
Ensure secure handling, storage, and retrieval of clinical and service records.
5. Teamwork Interdisciplinary Collaboration Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues, families, carers, and external agencies to support holistic care for the individual with Down syndrome.
Represent DSI, the SLT department or profession at internal and external meetings, conferences, and relevant forums.
Deputise for the Head or Deputy Head of Speech Language Therapy Programmes when required.
Contribute to team discussions, case reviews, and joint planning processes.
Promote positive working relationships and effective communication across teams and services.
Support the integration of SLT perspectives into broader organisational initiatives.
6. Quality Improvement, Audit Research Participate in service audits to evaluate performance, outcomes, and compliance with standards.
Review and analyse service delivery to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.
Demonstrate progress toward service objectives through measurable outcomes and reporting.
Contribute to qualityimprovement initiatives and evidencebased service development.
Support the implementation of new models of care, pathways, or clinical frameworks.
Engage with research developments relevant to Down syndrome and Speech Language Therapy practice.
7. Professional Development Supervision Maintain uptodate knowledge of developments in Down Syndrome research and within the Irish Health Service, and the SLT profession.
Participate in supervision, reflective practice, and performancedevelopment processes.
Contribute to the development and implementation of service policies, guidelines, and clinical standards.
Engage in continuous professional development to enhance clinical and professional skills.
Support the learning and development of colleagues, students, or assistants where appropriate.
Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth.
8. Operational Resource Management Assist in the planning, development, and evaluation of SLT services and programmes.
Support the management of clinical resources, equipment, and technological tools.
Contribute to the implementation of organisational policies and servicewide initiatives.
Participate in resource planning to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
Monitor and report on resource needs, service pressures, or operational challenges.
Ensure operational processes support highquality, accessible, and responsive services.
The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved.
The post holder may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the role and contribute to the ongoing development of the post and service.
Eligibility Criteria Qualifications and/ or experience Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience etc.
Candidates for appointment must:
(i) Be registered, or eligible for registration, as a Speech Language Therapist by the Speech Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU.
( / )
And
(ii) Have 3 years full time (or an aggregate of 3 years full time) post qualification clinical experience.
And
(iii) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
And
(iv) Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Speech Language Therapist Register maintained by the Speech Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued.
1.Annual Registration
(i) On appointment practitioners must maintain annual registration on the Speech Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU.
And
(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU by submitting certification.
2.Insurance Candidates must be willing to obtain professional indemnity insurance prior to beginning the role.
This cost will be reimbursed in full by DSI.
3.Health A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
4.Character Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Post specific requirements, Knowledge base and/ or experience Demonstrate specialist knowledge of the communication profile associated with Down syndrome.
Experience assessing and managing motor speech and speech sound disorders commonly seen in Down syndrome, such as dysarthria, phonological delay/disorder, and features of childhood apraxia of speech.
Demonstrate knowledge of assessment, intervention planning, and management of Feeding, Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (FEDS) needs, using specialist clinical reasoning to support safe, developmentally appropriate mealtime skills for an individual with Down Syndrome.
Proven ability to support early communication development, including joint attention, play skills, gesture use, turntaking, and early symbolic communication.
Competence in the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), including sign systems (e.g., Lamh), picturebased supports, and hightech AAC solutions.
Experience delivering literacy and phonological awareness interventions tailored to the learning profile of individuals with Down syndrome.
Understanding of the cognitive, sensory, behavioural, and medical factors that influence communication development in Down syndrome, and ability to adapt intervention accordingly.
Strong skills in familycentred practice, with experience collaborating effectively with parents, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to embed communication strategies in daily routines.
Ability to develop strengthsbased, functional, participationfocused goals and to use appropriate outcome measures to monitor progress and guide intervention planning.
Skills and competencies Strong communication skills, including effective English, interpersonal ability, and collaboration with colleagues, families, and carers.
Solid clinical knowledge with the ability to apply evidencebased practice, evaluate information, and make sound decisions.
Competence in planning, delivering, and adapting care efficiently while maintaining high standards and a usercentred approach.
Ability to manage, develop, and support oneself and others in a busy environment, using supervision effectively.
Respectful, empathetic practice with awareness of the needs of individuals with Down syndrome and a commitment to dignity and respect.
Openness to learning and development, including flexibility, IT skill growth, and ongoing professional development.
Code of Practice DSI run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).
The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis.
The Codes also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, feedback facilities for candidates on matters relating to their application, when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process, and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice.