Job overview
BAND 6 SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST Stroke services and neuro-oncology
An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated speech and language therapist to join our team based in the South Tees locality, working across the stroke pathway. This post is ideal for someone already working as a Band 6 therapist to develop their skills and experience across stroke services or for a Band 5 with recent clinical experience, ready to take the next steps in their career journey. This is an exciting time to join as we work together with MDT colleagues across University Hospital Tees to develop the vision for future stroke service delivery.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to develop skills within the neuro-oncology service, walking alongside our speech and language specialist.
You will be a team player, able to demonstrate commitment to learning and confident of working in a busy multidisciplinary team.
Depending on previous experience, you will be supported with training and competency development in dysphagia management including developing competencies within videofluoroscopy.
We are committed to quality improvement, and you will be encouraged to join our team project development working groups.
You will be supported by our friendly, experienced team of therapists, support workers and admin support.
Main duties of the job
Your main role will be to contribute to the delivery of a high-quality service within the specialist area of stroke, with the opportunity, through a rotational programme, to work across the stroke pathway from the hyper-acute stage at The James Cook University Hospital, through to in-patient rehabilitation at the Redcar Primary Care Hospital and into the ESD team or in outpatient clinics.
As part of this role, you will also participate in a rota to deliver a 6-day service to the acute stroke unit.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to broaden your skills and clinical experience in neurological services, working alongside the specialist speech therapist for the neuro-oncology service.
Regular support will be provided both from your line manager and through group clinical supervision. You will be encouraged to take an active role in service improvement, clinical governance and continuing professional development of self and others in leadership and mentorship.
You will support and mentor speech therapy and rehabilitation support workers and students and, as you progress into your Band 6 role, will provide support and mentorship to our Band 5 staff. You will have the opportunity to be involved with attracting future candidates into the profession through participation in careers events and workshops and works experience placements.
Successful candidate must have access to a vehicle for work purposes to meet the requirements of the role.
Working for our organisation
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) for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Significant post-graduate experience of working with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders including after stroke and with other medical or neurological disorders
2. Experience of working within an NHS environment
Desirable criteria
3. Experience of carrying out videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing
Qualifications and training
Essential criteria
4. Degree and licence to practice as a Speech & Language Therapist as approved by the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.
5. Registration as a qualified Speech & Language Therapist with the Health & Care Professions Council.
6. Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
Desirable criteria
7. Leadership development training
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
8. Basic IT skills and competence (ability to use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, e-mail and internet)
9. Completed post-graduate dysphagia training and competencies
10. Experience of using healthcare digital systems and electronic patient records ( systmone)
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is now 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
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
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.