Job Summary
* To provide clinical and management leadership to a small group of clinicians, in the delivery of high quality evidence based care.
* To evaluate the Speech and Language Therapy service within specialist area, making recommendations for improvements and future design of services in line with best practice and current guidelines including local and national policies.
* To provide a Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service to community patients with a range of neurological and non‑neurological conditions utilising highly developed specialist assessment and management skills of dysphagia and communication.
* To work as part of the MDT to differentially diagnose, assess, treat and manage swallowing and communication disorders within the speciality.
* To provide expertise to Speech and Language Therapy and MDT colleagues, patients and carers through specialist advice and education.
Main Duties
* To provide highly specialist dysphagia and communication assessments to inform accurate diagnoses for patients within specialist area.
* To formulate comprehensive, patient‑centred and individual treatment programmes/management plans using highly specialist skills.
* To independently coordinate, allocate and organise specialist caseload including those of junior and assistant staff to meet service priorities ensuring a high standard of clinical care.
* To assess patient understanding of treatment plans involving individuals and significant others in decision making, working within a legal framework for patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
* To write complex and detailed reports reflecting specialist knowledge.
Job Responsibilities
* To maintain accurate, up‑to‑date and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with the Trust, departmental and professional standards.
* To independently manage decision making regarding clinical risk within own patient caseload including patients with complex communication problems and complex dysphagia.
* To represent SLT service at Trust policy development groups to ensure that SLT is incorporated into Trust‑wide developments and initiatives.
* To develop and implement policy and service changes in own clinical area and ensure delivery of best practice.
* To provide advice and training to a wide range of professionals and client groups regarding the management and care of patients with communication and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties.
* To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues and to negotiate with others around case management in complex cases (e.g. case conferences).
Qualifications & Membership
* Attainment of recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy as recognised by RCSLT and HCPC.
* RCSLT membership.
* Current Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registration.
* Evidence of successful completion of postgraduate study in dysphagia, and relevant highly specialist short courses.
* Evidence of ongoing CPD to meet regulatory body professional standards.
Desirable Qualifications
* Membership of any relevant clinical excellence networks (CENs).
Experience Essential
* Significant relevant specialist clinical experience of working with patients with communication difficulties and dysphagia.
* Experience in delivering education and training packages.
* Experience in supervising undergraduate Speech & Language Therapists and more junior therapists.
* Experience of multi‑disciplinary team working and inter‑agency working.
Desirable Experience
* Relevant experience working in a community setting.
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
* Competent to a high level in the management of complex patients with communication and/or swallowing disorders within speciality.
* Ability to be an excellent team member and assume leadership responsibilities when required by line manager.
* Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills.
* Highly developed negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
* Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills.
* Competent use of IT.
* In‑depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines, national policies and procedures relevant to client group.
* In‑depth knowledge of principles of clinical governance and audit.
Communication
* Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English.
* Good presentation skills, both written and verbal.
* Able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
* Able to empathise with clients who may have life‑changing, progressive and/or terminal medical conditions.
Personal and People Development
* Able to deliver training to the team and wider professionals.
Personal Attributes / Behaviours
* Able to act in a manner appropriate to the standards of the Service and Profession.
* Adaptable to adjust quickly to the changing demands of the service.
* Be able to demonstrate perseverance when 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 disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service 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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer Details
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
St James' Clinic, Extons Road, King's Lynn, PE30 5NU
Job Details
Posted: 16 October 2025
Band: 7
Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year pro‑rata per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Part‑time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
Reference Number: 839‑7542145‑RB
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