Job overview
This post is for internal candidates to University Hospitals Tees Group (South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust & North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust/NTH Solutions). If you are not currently working within these trusts your application will not be reviewed and automatically rejected at shortlisting stage. Please be aware of this when submitting your application.
BAND 5 SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST STROKE/NASU AND ACUTE DYSPHAGIA
Hours per week (PERMANENT)
We have an exciting opportunity for a newly or recently qualified Speech & Language Therapist to join the Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. You will work within the team providing 6 day Speech and Language Therapy Services into the South Tees Stroke Service. This service covers the whole patient pathway from hyper-acute stroke through to inpatient rehabilitation, Early Supported Discharge and outpatient therapy.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated person who is willing to learn and develop and possess excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to work both independently and within a multi-disciplinary team. You will work as part of an inter-disciplinary team including Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy Support Workers.
Provisional interview date - 11th August 2025 (this will be confirmed if you are selected for interview)
Main duties of the job
You will see patients at various stages in their recovery from stroke. In addition, you will be supported to complete training in order to gain the skills in dysphagia management, which will allow a wider range of experience over stroke, acute medicine and surgery caseloads.
You will receive regular supervision from a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and be encouraged to take an active part in service improvement, clinical governance and continuing professional development. You will also be supported by our experienced team of therapists, plus clerical support, which is based in our office at The James Cook University Hospital.
Successful candidate must have access to a vehicle for work purposes to meet the requirements of the role.
Working for our organisation
The Adult Speech & Language Therapy Service provides specialist communication and dysphagia input for acquired disorders into The James Cook University Hospital, Redcar Primary Care Hospital, East Cleveland Primary Care Hospital, The Friarage Hospital and the South Tees community locality.
The James Cook University Hospital is a large teaching hospital that includes the specialties of Acute Stroke, Cardiothoracic, ENT, Head & Neck Cancer, Maxillo Facial Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-oncology, plus the Regional Spinal Injuries Unit. The Trust also hosts the Middlesbrough MND Care Centre.
Staff have access to excellent facilities for education and development in the STRIVE Academic Centre.
Middlesbrough is a large town in Teesside surrounded by beautiful countryside, market towns and villages and within easy reach of the coast. It is served by good travel networks; is within easy reach of the A1M motorway; cities such as Newcastle, Durham, York and Leeds are very accessible via the East Coast main line train service. We are also close to three international airports Teesside, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
1. Degree and licence to practice as a Speech & Language Therapist as approved by the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
2. Registration as a qualified Speech & Language Therapist with the Health & Care Professions Council (or registration pending)
Desirable criteria
3. Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
4. Basic IT skills (ability to use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, e-mail and internet)
Desirable criteria
5. Post-graduate dysphagia training
6. Experience of using electronic patient records and systems ( systmone )
Experience
Essential criteria
7. Experience of working with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders including after stroke.
Desirable criteria
8. Previous experience of working in the NHS
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is now the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.