Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – Adult Acute

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

The closing date is 12 May 2025

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, self-motivated speech and language therapist, to join the Acute Speech and Language Therapy team within St Helier Hospital.

This post is based in an acute hospital setting and involves working as an integral member of the SLT team alongside the wider MDT on the acute wards.

Applicants should have skills and experience in managing patients with swallowing and communication disorders. We are looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic SLT with a strong interest in acquired communication and swallowing disorders, good communication and team-working skills as well as effective time management and organisation skills.The department has close support networks with local community based Speech and Language therapy services, including regular journal clubs and in-service training.

Main duties of the job

  • Management of patients with swallowing and communication impairments in an acute setting. Caseload may encompass a range of origins such as neurology, respiratory medicine, cardio-thoracic medicine/surgery, gastroenterology, care of the elderly, general surgery, renal medicine and general medicine
  • To act as a member of the multi-disciplinary team and to contribute to the coordination, overall development and management of Speech & Language Therapy input on the wards
  • To develop further skills in the area of Videofluoroscopy and FEES and actively participate in the running of the Videofluoroscopy clinics and support with FEES as required
  • To be accountable for own professional action and recognize own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate
  • To participate in team meetings, audit and research projects on a regular basis within the Speech and Language Therapy Service
  • Training for SLTs, carers and other members of the MDT, as well as supervising students and mentoring junior staff with appropriate support

About us

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust provides a range of medical services to approximately 490,000 people living across southwest London and northeast Surrey. In addition, we provide more specialist services, in particular renal and neonatal intensive care, to a wider area, covering parts of Sussex and Hampshire.

We serve an area that is rich in diversity, with a mix of urban and rural areas, and differing levels of quality of life. We cover some of the most prosperous postcodes in the country, as well as some poorer areas. Together with our colleagues at NHS Surreyand NHS Sutton and Merton, we work to make sure that we deliver the best possible care to the communities we serve.

The Trust employs approximately 5,000 staff across its hospitals and issupported by over 500 volunteers.

Date posted

25 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£42,939 to £50,697 a year Pro-rata pa inc HCAS (Outer)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

343-7157302-FM-AG

Job locations

St Helier Hospital

Wrythe Lane

Sutton

SM5 1AA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached supporting job description and person specification document which contains more information about the role and requirements. Please ensure your application refers to the job description and person specification in your supporting statement.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached supporting job description and person specification document which contains more information about the role and requirements. Please ensure your application refers to the job description and person specification in your supporting statement.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
  • Health Professions Council - Licence to Practice
  • Postgraduate dysphagia training and experience. Competencies signed off

Desirable

  • Membership of RCSLT

Experience

Essential

  • Established experience (Band 5 or above) working with adults in an acute setting including managing your own caseload and using a range of assessment and therapy techniques
  • Well established knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to adults with acquired speech, language and swallowing difficulties

Desirable

  • Previous experience of videofluoroscopy/FEES
  • Experience of student /assistant supervision and training

Values and behaviours

Essential

  • Work as one team - communicate, collaborate and share
  • Treat everyone fairly regardless of protective characteristics, profession, role or level

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Excellent written and spoken communication skills and ability to communicate sensitive and complex information
  • Flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
  • Health Professions Council - Licence to Practice
  • Postgraduate dysphagia training and experience. Competencies signed off

Desirable

  • Membership of RCSLT

Experience

Essential

  • Established experience (Band 5 or above) working with adults in an acute setting including managing your own caseload and using a range of assessment and therapy techniques
  • Well established knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to adults with acquired speech, language and swallowing difficulties

Desirable

  • Previous experience of videofluoroscopy/FEES
  • Experience of student /assistant supervision and training

Values and behaviours

Essential

  • Work as one team - communicate, collaborate and share
  • Treat everyone fairly regardless of protective characteristics, profession, role or level

Knowledge and skills

Essential

  • Excellent written and spoken communication skills and ability to communicate sensitive and complex information
  • Flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

St Helier Hospital

Wrythe Lane

Sutton

SM5 1AA


Employer's website

https://www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

St Helier Hospital

Wrythe Lane

Sutton

SM5 1AA


Employer's website

https://www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Acute Lead for Speech and Language Therapy

Niina Mathews

n.mathews@nhs.net

07920399185

Date posted

25 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£42,939 to £50,697 a year Pro-rata pa inc HCAS (Outer)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

343-7157302-FM-AG

Job locations

St Helier Hospital

Wrythe Lane

Sutton

SM5 1AA


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)