Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Job Summary
Lead Speech & Language Therapist - Urgent Care Pathway (Fixed Term - Maternity Cover) We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and highly motivated Speech and Language Therapist to work alongside the Speech and Language Therapy Lead and the wider MDT to review, develop, and coordinate SLT provision across the urgent care pathway. This fixed-term maternity cover post offers an exciting opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role within a progressive and evolving service. The position provides valuable experience in clinical leadership, service development, operational management, and pathway redesign, making it an ideal opportunity for an ambitious clinician looking to further develop their skills and advance their career. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting patient flow across the organisation, leading service improvement initiatives and driving change across urgent care settings. As an integral member of the urgent care teams, you will work collaboratively with clinical colleagues to ensure patients receive timely, effective, and high-quality Speech and Language Therapy input. A central aspect of the role will be the development and delivery of education and training programmes for the wider MDT. Through this work, you will support timely and appropriate referrals to Speech and Language Therapy services, increase awareness of communication and swallowing disorders, and contribute to improving patient outcomes and quality of care.

Main duties of the job
Job Overview Continued You will provide both clinical and operational leadership for the acute inpatient SLT service, including day-to-day coordination of service delivery, workforce support and supervision, service development activities, and elements of staff management. As a senior clinician, you will maintain a strong and visible clinical presence, modelling best practice and providing expert support to colleagues across the pathway. The role has a particular focus on improving early identification, assessment, and intervention for patients with communication and swallowing difficulties within urgent and emergency care settings. You will work as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist across urgent care areas, while also supporting the wider Acute SLT team to deliver responsive and effective care. You will establish and maintain strong working relationships with key MDT colleagues, champion collaborative working, and provide education, training, and specialist advice to support the delivery of safe, person-centred care across the urgent care pathway.

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 and Education

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
• Registered with HCPC
• Evidence of attendance at recent post graduate specialist courses relevant to the clinical field
• Post graduate dysphagia training internal or external course
• Qualification in Advanced Dysphagia Management
• Member of RCSLT

Desirable

• MSc in relevant clinical area or equivalent post-graduate courses
• Practice Educators qualification

Experience

• Experience of supervising and appraising staff
• Competent in Dysphagia assessment
• Extensive relevant clinical experience at post graduate level
• Experience of teaching and supervising undergraduate students
• Experience of facilitating service development
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience of audit and research
• Experience of managing highly complex patients in critical care
• Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies, including ventilated patients

Communication Skills

• Good presentation skills written and verbal
• Commitment and motivation to deliver a quality service
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for role
• Willingness to work flexibly
• Ability to work as part of a team

Desirable

• Representing department or Trust at local/national level

Knowledge and Training

• Good knowledge of IT software packages eg word, excel
• Extensive post graduate experience and specialist knowledge of SLT assessments and treatment in area of specialism
• Robust knowledge of current best practice and clinical guidelines of SLT in area of specialism
• Good knowledge of health and safety and risk management
• Relevant post-graduate clinical work and CPD at senior level
• Commitment to personal and team development

Desirable

• Leadership training

Planning Skills

• Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities
• Able to organise and delegate workload

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Ability to reflect upon and critically appraise staff and own performance

Desirable

• Publication in appropriate journals

Management Skills

• Able to motivate staff and others
• To 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.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.