Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

Band 6 Specialist Speech & Language Therapist - Acute Inpatients (Stroke)

12-month Development Opportunity supported by Annex 21.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our Acute Stroke Team.

Would you like to be part of a friendly, forward-thinking, and supportive team that is committed to helping you develop your skills and progress your career?

This post would suit an established Band 6 looking to further develop specialist skills within a stroke environment. We also welcome applications from suitably experienced Band 5 clinicians, offering this post as a development opportunity with structured support to progress into the Band 6 role.

The successful applicant will have experience working within a stroke or acute setting and be developing confidence in managing a dysphagia caseload. You will demonstrate excellent communication skills, flexibility in a fast-paced environment, and a strong understanding of multidisciplinary team (MDT) working.

The role involves delivering specialist assessment, management, and treatment for acute inpatients with both communication and swallowing difficulties. You will work closely with the wider MDT and alongside experienced SLT colleagues, benefiting from access to expert knowledge, supervision, and opportunities for development, including instrumental assessment.

Main duties of the job

To provide an effective and efficient speech and language therapy service to adult clients within the Stroke inpatient setting. You will manage a specialist adult caseload in this clinical area.

Duties will include providing a specialist level of clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of adults with swallowing and/or communication difficulties, planning therapy programmes and discharge of patients.

For Band 5 applicants, a structured development pathway will be provided to support progression into the specialist Band 6 role, including supervision, competency development, and access to training opportunities.

There may also be opportunities in the future to rotate between acute and stroke services and community Stroke rehab facility, supporting broader skill development.

About us

At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of "excellent health care, improved health for all". We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.

As part of the NHS People Promise, your wellbeing is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance supported by our flexible working options and by making reasonable adjustments where possible. We believe no-one should have to sacrifice family, friends, or their personal interests for work. We are a modern employer able to attract and retain high quality staff through our commitment to the NHS People Promise.

As an employer, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. We want to ensure that our workforce is representative of the population we serve. More information - inclusive practice people promise.

Dudley Group offer many opportunities for our staff to develop and grow within their roles through our Learning & OD Team. These include topics such as communication, wellbeing, team development, cultural competency, and values.

Please click below to view our EDI page: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion - The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (dgft.nhs.uk)

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.

Person specification

Qualifications and Education

Essential

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
• Member of RCSLT
• Registered with HCPC
• Evidence of attendance on relevant specialist courses
• Post graduate dysphagia training

Desirable

• Member of RCSLT CEN relevant to client group

Experience

Essential

• IT/keyboard skills
• Proven relevant clinical experience at post graduate level
• Experience of multi disciplinary team working
• Experience of managing complex cases
• Post graduate dysphagia training and experience

Desirable

• Experience of supervising undergraduate SLT students
• Experience of devising and delivering training to multi-disciplinary team

Communication Skills

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills

Knowledge and Training

Essential

• Negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Good analytical and reflection skills
• Good presentation skills written and verbal
• Awareness of standards of record keeping
• Awareness of principles of clinical governance and audit
• Flexible approach to therapy situations
• Demonstrates knowledge of confidentiality
• Skilled in conflict resolution
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for the role
• Ability to prioritise

Desirable

• Knowledge of national policies and procedures

Analytical & Judgement Skills

Essential

• Demonstrates enthusiasm for the role
• Caring and empathetic
• Ability to reflect upon and critically appraise staff and own performance
• Well-developed concentration skills

Planning Skills

Essential

• Evidence of good time management
• Evidence of organisational skills

Management Skills

Essential

• Able to motivate self and others to deliver a quality service
• Flexibly work across locations or across 7 days as needed
• Able to work under pressure