<div><p>Team CDDFT speech and language therapy are pleased to advertise an exciting Specialist Speech and Language Therapy post based at Sedgefield Community Hospital. The Band 6 post will be supported by senior staff to ensure that the successful applicant continues to develop a broad range of specialist dysphagia competencies that meet the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy standards.</p><h3>Key Responsibilities</h3><ul><li>Deliver evidence-based practice assessment and therapy to patients across all settings, including out‑patient, residential, nursing homes, domiciliary and community hospitals.</li><li>Supervise speech and language therapy students and contribute to the delivery of teaching programmes to community professionals.</li><li>Lead and participate in clinical supervision, monthly staff meetings, management supervision, peer support groups and annual appraisals.</li><li>Conduct weekly SLT‑led VFSS / FEES and support the respiratory and dysphagia teams.</li><li>Implement and monitor intervention plans in a multi‑disciplinary service, ensuring compliance with national and local health and education policies.</li><li>Maintain up‑to‑date technology, communication aids, iPads, apps and mobile working equipment.</li></ul><h3>Required Experience and Qualifications</h3><ul><li>Registered Speech and Language Therapist with the Health Professionals Council.</li><li>Degree in Speech and Language Therapy (equivalent recognised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists).</li><li>Evidence of successful completion of non‑specialist short courses including post‑basic dysphagia or equivalent.</li><li>Post‑basic dysphagia training (or equivalent) and experience working with both communication and swallowing impaired community caseloads.</li><li>Experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist post‑registration.</li><li>Ability to travel independently across the county, carry small items of equipment and meet the physical demands of the post.</li><li>Valid Full UK driving licence.</li><li>Commitment to continuing professional development and ability to work flexibly within a multidisciplinary service.</li></ul><h3>Special Skills & Knowledge</h3><ul><li>Strong interpersonal, communication, persuasion, negotiation and training skills.</li><li>Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information and make judgements involving a range of facts.</li><li>Planning and organisational skills for handling complex activities.</li><li>Knowledge and understanding of national and local health/education/social care policies and local procedures.</li><li>Understanding of a range of procedures related to diagnosis and remediation of disorders of human communication.</li><li>Experience with dysphagia assessment and management within varied settings.</li></ul><h3>Benefits</h3><ul><li>Opportunity to develop further specialist skills in progressive neurological disease and acquired neurology.</li><li>Well‑resourced department with up‑to‑date technology and communication aids.</li><li>Professional lead in Speech and Language Therapy and clinical leads in all specialist areas.</li><li>Direct support from senior staff and ongoing peer supervision.</li><li>In‑service training and annual appraisal.</li><li>Good IT access and mobile working equipment (laptop and mobile phone).</li></ul><h3>Additional Requirements</h3><ul><li>Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly DBS) and CRB check.</li><li>Written references covering a minimum of 3 years previous employment and/or training.</li></ul><h3>Equal Opportunities</h3><p>We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community and actively promote equal opportunities. We particularly welcome applicants from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.</p><p>For further information, please refer to the Trust website: http://www.cddft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/our-core-values.aspx</p></div>