Job overview
CLINICAL LEAD SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPIST - STROKE SERVICES
AFC Band 7: wte ( 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.
Working for our organisation
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 behaviours
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.
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
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
1. Basic IT skills
2. Audit and research experience
3. Experience with use of electronic note systems SystmOne/EPR
4. Knowledge of national and professional guidelines and evidence-based practice related to specialist area
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
5. To hold a degree or relevant Diploma in Speech & Language Therapy
6. To be a registered member of the Health Care Professions Council
7. To have post-graduate training in dysphagia (can be in house or external)
8. Leadership qualifications or training
Desirable criteria
9. Member of RCSLT
Experience
Essential criteria
10. To have substantial post graduate experience including work with stroke / neuro patients in an acute and rehabilitation setting
11. To have experience in the management of dysphagia, ideally including videofluoroscopy (or working towards)
12. Experience of working within the NHS
Desirable criteria
13. Evidence of relevant post graduate courses or study at Masters level or equivalent
14. To have experience in management and/or supervising other staff members in a team
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is 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
Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.
At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.
We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.
We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.
Supporting disabled people and people with longterm conditions
We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.
This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at or call us on 01642 854610
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.