Specialist Speech & Language Therapist -Acute Inpatients (Stroke)

Job summary
Band 6 Specialist Speech & Language Therapist - Acute Inpatients (Stroke)
12-month Development Opportunity supported by Annex 21.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our Acute Stroke Team.

Would you like to be part of a friendly, forward-thinking, and supportive team that is committed to helping you develop your skills and progress your career?

This post would suit an established Band 6 looking to further develop specialist skills within a stroke environment. We also welcome applications from suitably experienced Band 5 clinicians, offering this post as a development opportunity with structured support to progress into the Band 6 role.

The successful applicant will have experience working within a stroke or acute setting and be developing confidence in managing a dysphagia caseload. You will demonstrate excellent communication skills, flexibility in a fast-paced environment, and a strong understanding of multidisciplinary team (MDT) working.

The role involves delivering specialist assessment, management, and treatment for acute inpatients with both communication and swallowing difficulties. You will work closely with the wider MDT and alongside experienced SLT colleagues, benefiting from access to expert knowledge, supervision, and opportunities for development, including instrumental assessment.

Main duties of the job
To provide an effective and efficient speech and language therapy service to adult clients within the Stroke inpatient setting. You will manage a specialist adult caseload in this clinical area.

Duties will include providing a specialist level of clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of adults with swallowing and/or communication difficulties, planning therapy programmes and discharge of patients.

For Band 5 applicants, a structured development pathway will be provided to support progression into the specialist Band 6 role, including supervision, competency development, and access to training opportunities.

There may also be opportunities in the future to rotate between acute and stroke services and community Stroke rehab facility, supporting broader skill development.

About us
At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of "excellent health care, improved health for all". We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.

As part of the NHS People Promise, your wellbeing is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance supported by our flexible working options and by making reasonable adjustments where possible. We believe no-one should have to sacrifice family, friends, or their personal interests for work. We are a modern employer able to attract and retain high quality staff through our commitment to the NHS People Promise.

As an employer, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. We want to ensure that our workforce is representative of the population we serve. More information - inclusive practice people promise.

Dudley Group offer many opportunities for our staff to develop and grow within their roles through our Learning & OD Team. These include topics such as communication, wellbeing, team development, cultural competency, and values.

Please click below to view our EDI page: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion - The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (dgft.nhs.uk)

Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
• Member of RCSLT
• Registered with HCPC
• Evidence of attendance on relevant specialist courses
• Post graduate dysphagia training

Desirable

• Member of RCSLT CEN relevant to client group

Experience
Essential

• Post graduate dysphagia training and experience
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
• Proven relevant experience at post graduate level
• Experience of managing complex cases
• IT/keyboard skills

Desirable

• Experience of supervising undergraduate SLT students
• Experience of devising and delivering training to multi-disciplinary team

Communication Skills
Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills

Knowledge & Training
Essential

• Negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Good analytical and reflection skills
• Good presentation skills written and verbal
• Ability to prioritise
• Awareness of standards of record keeping
• Awareness of principles of clinical governance and audit
• Flexible approach to therapy situations
• Demonstrates knowledge of confidentiality
• Skilled in conflict resolution
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for role

Desirable

• Knowledge of national policies and procedures

Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential

• Demonstrates enthusiasm for role
• Caring and empathetic
• Ability to reflect upon and critically appraise staff and own performance
• Well-developed concentration skills

Planning skills
Essential

• Evidence of good time management
• Evidence of organisation skills

Management Skills
Essential

• Able to motivate self and others to deliver a quality service
• Flexibly work across locations or across 7 days as needed
• Able to work under pressure

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer contact details
Contact: Therapy Lead Orthotics & Adult SLT Manager, Louise Brookes
Email: louise.brookes2@nhs.net
Phone: 01384456111