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Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapist - Stroke Services
The closing date is 24 March 2026
AFC Band 7: 1.0 wte (37.5 hours/week) - Permanent
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, highly motivated and flexible Speech and Language Therapist to lead the stroke service across South Tees NHS Foundation Trust. The service works across the pathway from the acute stroke unit based at The James Cook University Hospital site, the in‑patient stroke rehabilitation unit at Redcar Primary Care Hospital, the Early Supported Discharge team for South Tees, and the out‑patient therapy (stroke) service at The James Cook University Hospital site, with a 6‑day service provided (on a rota basis) to the acute stroke unit.
The postholder will also work closely with MDT Stroke colleagues to develop future pathways across University Hospitals Tees.
The successful candidate will have significant experience of working with acute dysphagia and managing communication disorders secondary to neurological injury. Direct experience of working within the speciality of stroke and or neurology is essential. Evidence of advanced post graduate dysphagia training is also essential.
Regular support will be provided from your operational lead and from specialist colleagues across the wider team.
Main duties of the job
You will be encouraged to take an active role in service improvement (both within our own service and our wider healthcare teams), clinical governance and continuing professional development of self and others in leadership and mentorship. You will support and mentor qualified speech therapists (including newly qualified graduates), support workers and students, and can be involved with attracting future candidates into the profession through participation in careers events and workshops.
You will also be supported by our experienced team of therapists, therapy assistants and clerical support, which is based in our office at The James Cook University Hospital.
Main duties of the role include:
* Delivery of highly specialist management of acute dysphagia secondary to either stroke or neurological illness
* Delivery of highly specialist management of communication disorder secondary to either stroke or neurological illness
* Management and coordination of the services to the acute and rehabilitative stroke pathways
* To act as a member of the well‑established multi‑disciplinary team
* To provide clinical leadership for the stroke Speech and Language Therapy team/NASU
You will need to be able to travel independently throughout the locality.
About us
Leadership and Improvement Training – We support the Making Every Contact Count approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
* Your Leadership Impact
* Leading your Team to Success
* Leading Into the Future
* Service Improvement for Beginners
* Developing your Service Improvement Skills
* Lean Practitioner
The leadership and improvement programme aims to:
* Explore leadership within the NHS
* Promote Trust values and behaviour
* Develop your leadership effectiveness and skills
* Equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and complete service improvements within the scope of your role.
After you complete these six and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in‑house and externally provided courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Skills
* Basic IT skills
* Audit and research experience
* Experience with use of electronic note systems e.g. SystmOne/EPR
* Knowledge of national and professional guidelines and evidence‑based practice related to specialist area
Qualifications & Training
* To hold a degree or relevant Diploma in Speech & Language Therapy
* To be a registered member of the Health Care Professions Council
* To have post‑graduate training in dysphagia (can be in house or external)
* Leadership qualifications or training
* Member of RCSLT
Experience
* To have substantial post graduate experience including work with stroke / neuro patients in an acute and rehabilitation setting
* To have experience in the management of dysphagia, ideally including videofluoroscopy (or working towards)
* Experience of working within the NHS
* Evidence of relevant post graduate courses or study at Masters level or equivalent
* To have experience in management and/or supervising other staff members in a team
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.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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