Adult Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join our Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the specialist neuro-rehabilitation team at Danesbury Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, supporting adults with acquired neurological conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, progressive neurological disorders.

You will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for adults with communication and/or dysphagia needs within an inpatient neuro-rehabilitation setting. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to rehabilitation planning, goal setting and discharge preparation to maximise independence and quality of life.

As part of our wider Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service, you will benefit from close links with colleagues across acute, acute stroke, inpatient rehabilitation and community services, providing excellent opportunities for shared learning and professional development.

We offer regular supervision, access to continuing professional development and opportunities to contribute to service improvement initiatives. This role would suit a Speech and Language Therapist with experience in adult communication and swallowing disorders.

*Proposed interview date: 1st September 2026*

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment for adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
• Manage a varied caseload of patients with complex communication and dysphagia needs, delivering evidence-basedinterventions to support rehabilitation goals.
• Work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to goal setting, rehabilitation planning, patient reviews, discharge planning and outcome evaluation.
• Deliver dysphagia assessment and management, including implementing and reviewing videofluoroscopy recommendations, and providing advice on safe swallowing strategies.
• Develop and deliver individualised rehabilitation programmes to maximise independence, participation and quality of life.
• Liaise effectively with patients, families, carers and health and social care professionals to ensure coordinated and seamless care.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in line with professional standards, HCPC and RCSLT requirements.
• Provide advice, training and support to rehabilitation assistants, students, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Participate in service development, audit and quality improvement projects.
• Engage in regular supervision, appraisal and continuing professional development activities.
• Contribute to the delivery of a high-quality, responsive and patient-centred Speech and Language Therapy service within a specialist neurological rehabilitation setting.

About us

A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff. We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities.

Our staff are proud to be Caring, Pioneering and Inclusive in their work to help achieve the Trust vision. We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds.

We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible - Apply now

You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.

Job responsibilities

The SLT service offers the following:

*Regular whole service and local team meetings*Multidisciplinary team working*Regular clinical supervision and annual appraisal*Access to clinical leads for advice/support ENT/Head and Neck Cancer, Fluency, Dysphagia, Progressive Neurological disorders, Stroke, Dementia.*In-service training, CPD support and opportunities for development*Encouragement to participate in service development projects*Excellent AAC provision and links to regional Hubs*Use of SystmOne as electronic patient record and mobile working*27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro rata where applicable)*One of the UK's best pension schemes* Special Leave for family and personal reasons*NHS Car Lease Scheme*Eye Care Vouchers*Employee Assistance Programme*NHS Discounts*Hertfordshire has good transport links to London and the surrounding areas

We value our staff and see clinical supervision as a priority both through senior supervision and peer support models. Annual appraisal and personal objective setting is a Trust priority.

The post-holders will work closely with the Speech and Language Therapy team and the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team to provide assessment, diagnosis and management of adults with acquired communication and swallowing needs and demonstrating effective clinical practice through continued learning, reflective practice and supervision. The post-holders will also be involved in providing support for more junior members of the team including newly qualified SLTs and SLTAs.

Full details in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.

Word versions of documents are available if needed to allow for any adaptations to be made i.e. font , colour, background, convert to read aloud.

The use of AI is monitored and if you have used it then you are required to declare this, as well as what type of AI tools you have used and for what purpose. We reserve the right to further test your individual knowledge and skills in relation to the requirements for the post through robust and thorough interview and assessment.

HCT will prioritise recruitment of workers living in England under the new immigration rules for care workers effective from 9 April 2025. Employers must first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within England who needs new sponsorship. This ensures that those who came to the UK to pursue a career in adult social care can do so.

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree
• Health Professions Council licence to practise
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Achievement of Dysphagia competencies
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist post graduate short courses relevant to the adult caseload
• Membership/attendance Special Interest Groups relevant to the post

Skills

Essential

• Good presentation skills in both verbal and written form
• Good organisational skills including prioritisation
• Ability to independently integrate complex information to manage individual clients
• Highly developed hearing, concentration and perceptual skills
• Ability to transcribe/analyse speech phonetically
• Ability to negotiate with and influence people

Experience

Essential

• Experience relevant to an adult caseload
• Management of dysphagia in acute, rehabilitation, community, OP settings
• Able to demonstrate the application of in depth, new and ongoing learning and experience to clinical practice
• Well-established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to an adult client group including: Dysphagia/Dysphasia/Dysarthria/ Dyspraxia/Dysphonia/Dysfluency/Dysgra phia/ Dyslexia/Dementia
• Well-established knowledge of a range of relevant therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group (as above)
• Knowledge of professional standards including record keeping
• Well-established knowledge of the management of people with progressive neurological conditions
• Knowledge of the range and applications of communication aids
• Knowledge of the application and protocol for use of videofluoroscopy
• A good understanding of the roles of other professionals in acute, rehabilitation and community settings
• Well-established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to adults

Desirable

• Attainment of Videofluoroscopy competencies

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Demonstrates an ability to be an effective team member
• High level of interpersonal communication skills including observation, listening, empathy and sensitivity
• Ability to manage the emotional consequences of working with patients with distressing conditions
• Ability to reflect on, analyse and develop own performance
• Ability to self-monitor and seek support/advice as appropriate
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work clinically, professionally and within the organisation

Other Requirements

Essential

• A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
• Willingness to uphold the Trust's values
• Eligible to live and work in the UK