Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Closing date: 24 July 2026

We are excited to offer an opportunity to join our Speech and Language Therapy service in Ipswich and East Suffolk to cover a period of maternity leave, working as a specialist speech and language therapist with acquired conditions in the inpatient and acute stroke teams.

The integrated SLT service in East Suffolk delivers inpatient, outpatient and community services. Our team supports people with a range of conditions including stroke, progressive neurological conditions, head and neck cancer, voice disorders, dementia, respiratory conditions, and frailty. We also offer a countywide service to adults with learning disability. Our team shares expertise across the teams with populations at the centre of service delivery. Our department is within Integrated Therapies, providing excellent links to MDT colleagues and shared CPD opportunities. All teams are supported by our SLT apprentices and assistants.

This service champions research, innovation and development. The team is actively engaged in service improvement projects including the use of EMST, reviewing respiratory pathways, and looking at service redesign. The Trust is committed to developing leadership skills for staff at all levels.

• The purpose of this post is to provide a highly specialist service to adults with acquired swallowing and communication disorders in inpatient settings, including acute stroke and inpatient wards such as respiratory, older people's services, surgery, medicine and oncology.
• To provide clinical leadership regarding the delivery of key acute stroke metrics (SNAPP).
• To provide highly specialist input to the Videofluoroscopy Clinic, as well as FEES assessments, including independent analysis, reporting and management of dysphagia.
• To contribute to the nutrition support team ward round and attend the Trust nutrition meeting, contributing to service developments and strategy.
• To provide specialist assessment and management of complex cases, including patients with tracheostomy, with support from the clinical lead therapist as required.
• You will supervise and line manage staff and have the opportunity to contribute to our instrumental assessment provision, including videofluoroscopy and FEES, depending on your competency with these service areas.

• RCSLT recognised degree or equivalent.
• Eligible for registered membership of RCSLT.
• HCPC membership.
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses at a Master's degree equivalent.
• Membership of relevant CENs.
• FEES level 2 competency.
• Ability to travel to different places of work/driving licence.

• Specialist experience of working with adults with acquired swallowing and communication disorders post registration.
• Experience of neurological conditions, including stroke, progressive neurological conditions, dementia.
• Experience of initiating and completing service development, audit and/or research.
• Experience of teaching others on speech and language therapy related topics.
• Experience of working in demanding settings, e.g., busy inpatient service, with patients with complex needs.
• Experience supervising junior SLTs, assistants and students, supporting colleagues in stressful situations, and managing conflict.
• Experience of line managing staff.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting videofluoroscopy images.
• Experience of adhering to SNAPP stroke audit requirements.
• Experience of working with people with altered airways, such as tracheostomy.
• Experience of leading teams.

• Highly specialist knowledge in assessment and management of swallowing and communication disorders.
• Well established knowledge and interpretation of a broad range of relevant assessment tools and techniques, including informal assessment and standardised assessments.
• Highly specialist knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Knowledge of evidence based practice / service developments in relation to specialism.
• In depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and audit.
• Assessment/knowledge of alternative/augmentative communication systems.
• Involvement in audit/clinical governance within Speech and Language Therapy and/or multi disciplinary settings.
• Knowledge of changes in NHS and current legislation.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.