Consultant Therapist, Speech & Language

Consultant, Speech and Language Therapist

Department

Speech & Language Therapy

Entity

Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Location

Nairobi, Kenya                                                                   

Introduction

Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi is a private not-for-profit teaching hospital that provides tertiary and secondary level healthcare services. It is the first hospital in East Africa to be accredited by the Joint Commission International from the USA. The University Hospital has been providing high quality care for the people of East Africa and beyond for over 60 years.

The incumbent assess, diagnose, and manage communication, speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in pediatric and adult patients. The Speech and Language Therapist will provide evidence-based interventions aimed at improving patients' communication abilities, swallowing function, independence, and quality of life.

Responsibilities:

Assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment of clients with communication and eating/swallowing problems of all ages.

•  Organizing individual and group therapy

• Provide individual and group therapy

• Setting of SMART goals with patient and carer.

• Incorporate multidisciplinary team to ensure that clients’ goals are met in all areas and that the MDT functions well to do this in an appropriate time frame.

• Ensure patients are aware of their goals and methods recommended to reach them.

• Facilitate a seamless transition from inpatient to outpatient to community care.

• Responsibility for own Continuing Professional Development

Supervision and input to (when necessary) of videofluoroscopy/ modified barium swallow service that is accessible and easy for Doctors and SLTs to book for their clients. 

• Liaise with Radiology department to book clients on a regular basis for VF clinic, run the assessment sessions, write timely reports together with the Radiologist for each client.

• Further development of Dysphagia specialism within AKUH including training for other professionals.

• Provide cover for other SLT during leave.

• Develop own skills with regard to running VF service and interpreting videos. 

Support and supervised SLT staff (SLTs, students, SLT assistant, new graduate SLT).

• Foster cooperation with other Speech Language Therapist staff to achieve seamless service for all clients. This includes agreeing cover for annual leave and referring clients between therapists so that they receive optimum level and quality of treatment

•  Facilitate supervision of other SLT staff

• Arrange supervision for students as and when necessary.

Responsibility for clinical care program for stroke.

• Ensure the stroke pathway, policies and procedures are observed.

• Collecting and maintaining data as required.

Others

Any other duty may be assigned by supervisor

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Speech and Language Therapy, Speech Pathology, or equivalent.

• Valid professional registration/licensure where applicable.
• Minimum 1 year of clinical experience in a hospital or rehabilitation setting.
• Training and experience in dysphagia assessment and management.
• Experience in acute care, ICU, stroke rehabilitation, pediatrics, or neurorehabilitation
• Certification in specialized areas of speech therapy.
• Ability and knowledge of sign language will be an added advantage
• Preferably 1 year’s work experience in a hospital setting working as a SLT/ SLP,
• Basic life support certification
• Excellent customer service skills, interpersonal and culturally appropriate communication skills.
• Able to work with clients in a culturally sensitive way.
• Language skills in more than one language (Kiswahili, Somali, Gujarati, other Kenyan languages).
• Use of reflective practice.
• Interest in efficacy of therapy and cost effectiveness for clients.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Flexibility to accommodate patients as appropriate.
• Creativeness in working and ability to innovate.
• Stamina and tenacious spirit!