Job overview
Newly qualified or early career Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist role with the Acute Speech and Language Therapy Team. This generalist rotational position offers the chance to develop assessment and management skills for communication and swallowing disorders in adult patients across a range of clinical areas.
Main duties of the job
- Provide assessment and treatment for patients with communication and/or swallowing difficulties under supervision
- Manage a defined caseload, prioritising and organising workload effectively
- Deliver evidence based therapy programmes and support safe swallowing management
- Work collaboratively with ward teams, dietitians, nurses, and medical staff
- Contribute to patient and carer education, including communication strategies and dietary advice
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in line with professional standards
- Take part in training, supervision, and service development activities
Person specification Qualifications
- Degree (or equivalent) in Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC registration (or working towards registration)
- Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) or willingness to join
- Evidence of relevant post graduate training (e.g., dysphagia awareness)
Experience
- Relevant undergraduate clinical placements across adult services
- Experience of assessing and managing communication and/or swallowing disorders (via placements or employment)
- Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Placement or experience within an acute hospital setting
- Experience of working with patients with dysphagia
- Experience in stroke, respiratory, or general medical settings
Knowledge
- Understanding of assessment and management of communication disorders
- Understanding of dysphagia assessment and management principles
- Awareness of current professional standards, including RCSLT guidance
- Knowledge of clinical governance, confidentiality, and safeguarding
- Knowledge of acute care pathways (e.g., stroke, frailty, critical care)
- Awareness of instrumental assessments (e.g., VFSS, FEES)
Skills
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to build rapport with patients, carers, and colleagues
- Good organisational and time management skills
- Ability to prioritise workload with support
- Basic IT skills for clinical documentation
- Ability to work both independently and within a team
- Presentation or teaching skills
- Ability to contribute to audits or service improvement work
Equal opportunities
The Trust promotes equal opportunities and is committed to being effortlessly inclusive. Applications from protected groups, including BAME, LGBT+, and people with a disability, are particularly welcome.
