Job summary
Following promotion within the team an exciting opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated and innovative Speech and Language Therapist. If you share our passion for excellence in patient care in an acute hospital then we would welcome your application for this Band 6 role within Worcester Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
You will join a team of very experienced therapists with a strong team working ethos where we celebrate our individual talents and skills. You will receive comprehensive induction, mentoring and appraisal to maximise your contribution and support your continuing professional development.
You must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes, as the role involves regular travel between Trust sites (including the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Kidderminster Hospital). You may also be required to carry equipment and resources when visiting sites.
We are committed to equality and diversity, and will consider reasonable adjustments where necessary in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Main duties of the job
In this rewarding role, you'll use your skills and experience to provide specialist SLT input across the wards within the Trust. You will provide swallowing and communication assessment and therapy to adults with acquired acute disorders resulting in communication and swallowing difficulties. Other duties include:
Offering guidance, support and supervision for more junior SLT's
Sharing your expertise with the wider team and key stakeholders, including provision of training and support to ward staff
Supporting the department in collecting statistical information and participating in research and audit
Developing your skills and understanding of objective SLT assessment (FEES and videofluoroscopy)
Participating in activities to support your role including team meetings, CPD, away days and supervision.
The team is undergoing integration with the community team, and this may require some flexibility as we make improvements to patient pathways in coming months.
About us
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
Better never stops, and we are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and Costs
Details Date posted
17 June 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£37,338 to £44,962 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9365-25-0535-1
Job locations
Charles Hastings Way
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR5 1DD
Job description Job responsibilities
Key Duties
Patient/client care
To assess, develop and implement Specialist Speech and Language Therapy Treatment
To write reports reflecting specialist knowledge
To provide appropriate specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes
To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/clients with communication, voice and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties
To ensure that patients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible
To demonstrate negotiation skills
To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures
To adapt practice to meet individual patients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences
To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management
Policy/service development/implementation
To contribute to interagency/multi-disciplinary team building
To be aware of, adhere to and implement service and team plans and policies
To use specialist knowledge to inform service/policy developments as appropriate
Financial and physical resources
To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate
To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients
Human resources
To supervise the work of assistants and volunteers
To participate in student placements as appropriate
To provide mentoring to more junior Speech and Language Therapists
To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to visitors, students and volunteers
To assist in the support of students from other professional groups as appropriate
To participate in specialist training in area of clinical expertise
To assist with the identification of training needs within the team
Information resources
To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies
To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines
To gather activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines
Research and development
To participate in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness
To undertake Clinical Governance /audit projects within local service
To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects
To collect and provide research data as required
Freedom to act:
To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate
To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct
To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at pre-determined intervals
Knowledge and Skills
Communication and relationship skills
To contribute to clinical teams both multi disciplinary and uni disciplinary by discussing own and others input around clients needs ensuring a well co-ordinated care plan
To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to clients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions
To work closely with clients, carers and families, agreeing decision making relevant to the patient/client management
To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist
To develop skills in motivating clients and /or carers to engage in the therapeutic process
To develop negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations
To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible
To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties
To employ excellent communication skills
Knowledge, training and experience
To demonstrate Specialist Knowledge in clinical specialism underpinned by current evidence based practice
To manage caseload independently
To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan/ Professional Portfolio developed within an appraisal framework
To participate in Individual Performance Review ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans, including specific objectives relating the clinical specialism
To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a specialist therapist working in the adult acute inpatients and voice outpatients and maintain up to date HPC and RCSLT registration
To attend Specialist Short Courses appropriate to clinical specialism
To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to RCSLT Professional and Clinical and National and Local Clinical Guidelines
To participate in the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence of clinical specialism
To participate in the development and delivery of specialist training (formal and informal) to others in area of clinical expertise with and without support
To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice in stroke rehabilitation
To provide advice to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within clinical field
To attend relevant course, meetings and special interest groups
To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding,, Working with Vulnerable Adults, Mental Capacity Act and other legal frameworks
To develop a working knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance and their application to professional practice
Analytical and judgmental skills
To develop the ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication /voice and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness
To negotiate with carers, clients and others around individual case management
To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support to resolve
To use specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management
To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment seeking advice as appropriate
To develop clear care plans based on best practice
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development needs
To develop the ability to target training (formal and informal) appropriately to the needs of course participants
To develop the ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided
To adapt practice to meet individual patient/client circumstances
Planning and organisational skills
To manage and prioritise own caseload independently
To manage and prioritise own workload
Job description Job responsibilities
Key Duties
Patient/client care
To assess, develop and implement Specialist Speech and Language Therapy Treatment
To write reports reflecting specialist knowledge
To provide appropriate specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes
To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/clients with communication, voice and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties
To ensure that patients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible
To demonstrate negotiation skills
To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures
To adapt practice to meet individual patients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences
To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management
Policy/service development/implementation
To contribute to interagency/multi-disciplinary team building
To be aware of, adhere to and implement service and team plans and policies
To use specialist knowledge to inform service/policy developments as appropriate
Financial and physical resources
To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate
To be responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained including equipment loaned to clients
Human resources
To supervise the work of assistants and volunteers
To participate in student placements as appropriate
To provide mentoring to more junior Speech and Language Therapists
To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to visitors, students and volunteers
To assist in the support of students from other professional groups as appropriate
To participate in specialist training in area of clinical expertise
To assist with the identification of training needs within the team
Information resources
To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies
To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines
To gather activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines
Research and development
To participate in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness
To undertake Clinical Governance /audit projects within local service
To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects
To collect and provide research data as required
Freedom to act:
To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate
To work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct
To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at pre-determined intervals
Knowledge and Skills
Communication and relationship skills
To contribute to clinical teams both multi disciplinary and uni disciplinary by discussing own and others input around clients needs ensuring a well co-ordinated care plan
To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to clients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions
To work closely with clients, carers and families, agreeing decision making relevant to the patient/client management
To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist
To develop skills in motivating clients and /or carers to engage in the therapeutic process
To develop negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations
To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible
To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties
To employ excellent communication skills
Knowledge, training and experience
To demonstrate Specialist Knowledge in clinical specialism underpinned by current evidence based practice
To manage caseload independently
To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan/ Professional Portfolio developed within an appraisal framework
To participate in Individual Performance Review ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans, including specific objectives relating the clinical specialism
To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a specialist therapist working in the adult acute inpatients and voice outpatients and maintain up to date HPC and RCSLT registration
To attend Specialist Short Courses appropriate to clinical specialism
To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to RCSLT Professional and Clinical and National and Local Clinical Guidelines
To participate in the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence of clinical specialism
To participate in the development and delivery of specialist training (formal and informal) to others in area of clinical expertise with and without support
To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice in stroke rehabilitation
To provide advice to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within clinical field
To attend relevant course, meetings and special interest groups
To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding,, Working with Vulnerable Adults, Mental Capacity Act and other legal frameworks
To develop a working knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance and their application to professional practice
Analytical and judgmental skills
To develop the ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication /voice and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness
To negotiate with carers, clients and others around individual case management
To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support to resolve
To use specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management
To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment seeking advice as appropriate
To develop clear care plans based on best practice
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development needs
To develop the ability to target training (formal and informal) appropriately to the needs of course participants
To develop the ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided
To adapt practice to meet individual patient/client circumstances
Planning and organisational skills
To manage and prioritise own caseload independently
To manage and prioritise own workload
Person Specification Experience Essential
* Experience of working in relevant specialty fields which will have led to
* the acquisition of sound and well-established theoretical and practical specialist knowledge.
* Successful experience of working and learning in multi-professional teams.
* Experience of working with complex conditions with an appropriate level of autonomy.
* To include experience in the following treatment and assessment techniques:
* - dysphagia assessment and treatment
* - dysarthria assessment and treatment
* - aphasia assessment and treatment
* - dysphonia assessment and treatment
* - oral/verbal apraxia assessment and treatment
Desirable
* Experience of working within an acute NHS hospital
Knowledge and skills Essential
* Sound theoretical knowledge of acquired communication and swallowing disorders
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
* Teaching, presenting and mentoring skills
* Ability to work in a busy and sometimes noisy environment, with frequent interruptions
* Teaching, presentation and mentoring skills
* Able to analyse complex and highly sensitive information regarding a patients diagnosis. To be able to communicate this information to patients, relatives and colleagues.
* Effective communication skills with people who have significant and complex communication difficulties i.e. to convey and receive accurate information with patients with aphasia and/or severe psychological distress.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and team-working skills.
* Excellent time management skills.
* Ability to absorb, interpret and summarise verbal information in a pressurised clinical environment.
* Ability to be systematic and organised.
* Ability to drive with access to a vehicle
Qualifications Essential
* Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
* Membership of RCSLT
* Registration with HCPC
* Relevant post-graduate courses/conferences
* Computer literate
Desirable
* An understanding of which patients will benefit from objective assessment e.g. FEES and Videofluoroscopy, and/or some training in this area
* Evidence of membership of relevant CEN's
Person Specification Experience Essential
* Experience of working in relevant specialty fields which will have led to
* the acquisition of sound and well-established theoretical and practical specialist knowledge.
* Successful experience of working and learning in multi-professional teams.
* Experience of working with complex conditions with an appropriate level of autonomy.
* To include experience in the following treatment and assessment techniques:
* - dysphagia assessment and treatment
* - dysarthria assessment and treatment
* - aphasia assessment and treatment
* - dysphonia assessment and treatment
* - oral/verbal apraxia assessment and treatment
Desirable
* Experience of working within an acute NHS hospital
Knowledge and skills Essential
* Sound theoretical knowledge of acquired communication and swallowing disorders
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
* Teaching, presenting and mentoring skills
* Ability to work in a busy and sometimes noisy environment, with frequent interruptions
* Teaching, presentation and mentoring skills
* Able to analyse complex and highly sensitive information regarding a patients diagnosis. To be able to communicate this information to patients, relatives and colleagues.
* Effective communication skills with people who have significant and complex communication difficulties i.e. to convey and receive accurate information with patients with aphasia and/or severe psychological distress.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and team-working skills.
* Excellent time management skills.
* Ability to absorb, interpret and summarise verbal information in a pressurised clinical environment.
* Ability to be systematic and organised.
* Ability to drive with access to a vehicle
Qualifications Essential
* Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
* Membership of RCSLT
* Registration with HCPC
* Relevant post-graduate courses/conferences
* Computer literate
Desirable
* An understanding of which patients will benefit from objective assessment e.g. FEES and Videofluoroscopy, and/or some training in this area
* Evidence of membership of relevant CEN's
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information 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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Charles Hastings Way
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR5 1DD
Employer's website
https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details Employer name
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Charles Hastings Way
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR5 1DD
Employer's website
https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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