Job overview
Senior Speech and Language Therapist (Neurosciences)
We are looking for a full-time Senior Speech & Language Therapist to join our team on a permanent basis. Individuals seeking to specialise in the field of neurosciences and develop dysphagia and leadership skills would be ideal for this role.
It would suit someone already working at Band 6 level, who is ready to take the next steps in their career development. Ideally, the individual will have experience of working with patients with neurological disorders in either an acute or community setting.
The Speech & Language Therapy team is looking for a team player, who can demonstrate an ability to work under pressure and flexibility in their approach to patient care. The individual should be confident working in a busy multidisciplinary team.
The successful applicant will independently manage a caseload of adults with acquired communication and / or swallowing disorders, actively participating in multidisciplinary decision making around patient care and developing service delivery initiatives. The post consists of both acute patient care and community care.
Main duties of the job
You will contribute to the delivery of a high-quality service within the specialist area of neurosciences. There may be an opportunity to work within other specialist areas eg Stroke, depending on service need and individual preference. In addition, there will be opportunity to further develop dysphagia skills and clinical experience within the specialism of neurosciences and undertake a competency-based programme to assess and manage dysphagia in patients with tracheostomies or to carry out videofluoroscopy.
Regular support will be provided both from your line manager and through peer supervision. The existing team consists of 3 other therapists, each with different skill sets and responsibilities, and 1 assistant.
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 newly qualified therapists, rehabilitation assistants and students, and can be involved with attracting future candidates into the profession through participation in careers events and workshops.
Working for our organisation
There is support from our friendly, experienced team of therapists, assistants and admin team based in the main office at The James Cook University Hospital, a large teaching hospital in Middlesbrough. The Directorate of Adult Speech & Language Therapy provides input to a range of specialist areas including Acute Stroke, ENT, Head & Neck Cancer, Maxillo-facial Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-oncology, plus the Regional Spinal Injuries Unit. The Trust also hosts the Middlesbrough MND Care Centre. Adult acquired community speech and language therapy is also provided by the Directorate.
Staff have access to excellent facilities for education and development in the STRIVE Academic Centre.
Middlesbrough is a large town in Teesside surrounded by beautiful countryside, market towns and villages and within easy reach of the coast. It is served by good travel networks; is within easy reach of the A1M motorway; cities such as Newcastle, Durham, York and Leeds are very accessible via the East Coast main line train service. We are also close to three international airports Teesside, Leeds, Bradford and Newcastle.
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 and Skills
Essential criteria
1. Completed post basic dysphagia training & competencies
2. IT competence
Desirable criteria
3. Videofluoroscopy competence
Qualifications and training
Essential criteria
4. Degree and licence to practice as a SLT as approved by RSCLT
5. State registered as a qualified SLT (HCPC)
6. Registered member of RCSLT
Desirable criteria
7. Attendance at leadership & development programme
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Post graduate experience of working with adults with acquired / progressive neurological disorders
9. MDT working experience
10. Previous NHS experience
Desirable criteria
11. Experience of videofluoroscopy
12. Experience of tracheostomy
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.