Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

We are seeking a motivated and forward-thinking Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join our Physical Health Allied Health Professionals team at West London NHS Trust. This is a great opportunity to work across the interface of physical and mental health, supporting adults with complex needs.

You will manage a specialist caseload, delivering assessment and intervention for communication and dysphagia difficulties linked to neurological conditions, mental health presentations, and neurodivergence. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to holistic care planning and provide expert clinical input.

The role offers excellent development opportunities, including supervision of junior staff and students, involvement in service improvement, and delivery of training across teams. It is ideal for a Band 5 looking to step up or a Band 6 seeking to broaden their experience.

Based across Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Hounslow, this role offers variety, autonomy, and the chance to be part of a continually developing service.

We recognise that working within mental health services may be new for some applicants. However, the core skills required are grounded in physical healthcare, particularly dysphagia management. To support your transition, we offer access to a peer support network of Speech & Language Therapists across physical and mental health services, shadowing opportunities, and an "Introduction to Mental Health" training programme.

Manage a complex/specialist caseload from assessment to discharge.

Provide high-quality evidence-based care to national standards (e.g. NICE guidelines).

Uphold professional and legal accountability in line with HCPC and RCSLT standards and trust policies.

Provide specialist clinical advice to other healthcare professionals including those in the acute hospital sector with limited mental health or learning disability experience.

Use of the Trust's Quality Improvement System to facilitate continual safety and quality improvement activities as part of the team.

Note: Applicant will need to have the right to live & work in the UK without requiring employer visa sponsorship.

• B.Sc. (hons.) or MSc in Speech and Language Therapy
• Current registration with HCPC
• Member of the RCSLT

• A broad range of experience working with communication and swallowing difficulties with adult and elderly populations.
• Supervision & training of assistants or students.
• Managing caseload of an area/ward including daily communication/interaction with all relevant parties with support from a senior member of staff
• Application of a variety of outcome measures.
• Working with adults with dysphagia equivalent to RCSLT Level A,B
• Undertaken or participated in a service delivery project, quality improvement project or audit

• Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge about common mental health conditions.
• Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge about adults with dysphagia.
• Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge about adults with communication difficulties.
• Knowledge and application of Augmentative and Alternative Communication principles
• Demonstrate the use of standardised and non-standardised assessments across swallowing and communication disorders.
• Accurate and concise written and verbal communication skills with compliance to regulatory patient record keeping.
• IT literacy and presentation skills (including Microsoft, word and PowerPoint)
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team in a supportive, respectful and constructive way using Trust Values.

• Self-motivated and able to work under pressure
• Ability to effectively recognise and manage clinical and non-clinical complications and risks
• Able to provide teaching/ training to variety of audiences e.g. colleagues within and outside the service, patients and their carers.
• Ability to formulate clear problem lists, treatment plans and goals.
• Proven time management skills and ability to organise and prioritise own caseload whilst managing others/ other service needs.
• Evidence of good initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Able to travel independently across relevant sites.
• Understanding own personal learning needs and actively participating in Personal Development Programme

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£45,953 to £54,254 a yearper annum inclusive of 15% HCAS