Introduction
Are you an experienced Speech and Language Therapist looking to work in a highly specialist environment with complex and rewarding cases? Join Badby Park and Avonfield as the Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to manage a diverse caseload and deliver high‑quality, person‑centred care to residents with complex communication, tracheostomy and swallowing needs.
In this role, you will take full responsibility for your own specialist caseload, working as an autonomous practitioner while collaborating closely with the multidisciplinary team. You will deliver detailed assessments and interventions, including tracheostomy communication and dysphagia management, using both formal tools and advanced clinical analysis to support accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
You will work closely with residents, families and carers, providing clear and compassionate guidance around complex communication, voice and swallowing difficulties. A key part of the role includes leading on tracheostomy care and weaning, and coordinating safe swallowing programmes in collaboration with nursing teams, kitchen staff and dietitians to ensure appropriate nutrition and care.
As a specialist clinician, you will provide training, support and education to therapy assistants, wider staff teams and colleagues, helping to build confidence and capability across the service. You will also lead communication‑focused group activities, support the use of communication aids, and work alongside Psychology and Occupational Therapy teams on complex cases, including capacity assessments and assistive technology programmes.
Other responsibilities
* Have personal, professional and legal responsibility for own highly specialist caseload of residents, working as an autonomous practitioner, seeking support when needed.
* Select, use and interpret accurately appropriate specialist tracheostomy communication and/or swallowing assessments for own caseload.
* Assess and differentiate diagnoses of tracheostomy, communication and swallowing difficulties arising from a variety of complex conditions, and contribute to medical diagnosis and prognosis.
* Contribute actively to multidisciplinary teams and provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy input.
* Attend and contribute to relevant clinical and management meetings.
* Work closely with residents, carers and families, providing appropriate explanations of complex communication, tracheostomy, voice and/or swallowing difficulties.
* Collaborate with kitchen staff, nursing staff and dietician regarding residents on swallowing programmes, both with and without feeding tubes, to ensure adequate nutritional intake and appropriate consistency of food.
* Demonstrate empathy with residents, carers, families and colleagues to achieve effective communication.
* Assess the need for and teach residents and carers in the safe and effective use of low‑ and high‑tech communication aids.
* Teach therapy assistants and carers relevant swallowing or communication programmes for individual residents.
* Lead therapeutic group activities that relate to communication.
* Persuade, motivate, negotiate and problem‑solve with residents, colleagues in the department, MDT and other professionals.
* Work with the Psychology team regarding complex capacity issues for residents with communication difficulties.
* Document correctly all relevant information, including care plans and care records.
* Refer to and act on any therapy programmes from the Assistive Technology Team in collaboration with OT.
* Lead on tracheostomy weaning, liaising with and referring to ENT as appropriate.
* Provide written reports as required.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
* HCPC registration.
* Experience managing a caseload involving assessment and treatment of dysphagia.
* Experience working with families.
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
Where you will be working
Location 1: Badby Road West, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 4NH. Badby Park is a specialist inpatient neurological rehabilitation and complex care service for people with neurological illnesses, acquired brain and spinal cord injuries.
We work alongside the multidisciplinary and clinical teams to deliver truly person‑centred services where each individual is at the heart of everything. The service has extensive facilities to cater for specific needs for people over 18 years old, who have complex neurological care and rehabilitation requirements.
Location 2: Avonfield Neurological Centre, 290 Station Road, Knuston, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN29 7EY. Avonfield is a recently renovated 19‑bed specialist neurological centre offering specialist rehabilitation and care for people with neurological conditions and acquired brain injuries. It is a homely and welcoming environment with several communal areas for socialising, set within tranquil grounds. The service offers assessment, treatment, and active rehabilitation programmes to maximise autonomy and independence, helping to reduce the impact of neuro‑disability associated with the neurological condition or acquired brain injury.
What You’ll Get
* Annual base salary of £44,340.
* The equivalent of 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) – plus your birthday off and the option to buy additional annual leave, in our annual selection window.
* Career development and training to help you achieve your professional goals.
* Access to our Rewards & Benefits platform Ely‑Vate; your one‑stop destination for everyday savings, exclusive benefits and wellbeing hub.
* Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a healthy work‑life balance.
* Access to Blue Light Card, which provides a range of exclusive offers and discounts.
* Life assurance, for added peace of mind.
* Stream – instant access to earned wages when you need it, plus access to save, directly from your wages, alongside financial wellbeing support.
* 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion, to ensure you are the best you can be.
* Enhanced maternity package, so you can truly enjoy this special time.
* Pension contribution, to help secure your future.
About your next employer
Elysium Healthcare has over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 80 services across England and Wales covering mental health, neurological, learning disabilities & autism, children & education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move.
Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally.
Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure.
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