Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Senior Speech and Language Therapist - Stroke

The closing date is 07 July 2025

Job summary

Looking for a fresh challenge? We are recruiting for a Senior Speech and Language Therapists to work as part of the Stroke team.

We will provide you with training and pastoral support and offer an outstanding learning and development package with a broad range of development opportunities.Candidates will be enthusiastic and flexible, with a specialist interest in stroke. Those looking for a development opportunity will also be considered.

Main duties of the job

This post is for a Band 6 Senior Speech and Language Therapist in the Stroke service, which currently includes hyper-acute, acute stroke, inpatient rehabilitation and an early-supported discharge service in clients' own homes.

To autonomously asses, diagnose and manage adult clients admitted to the Maidstone Hospital (MH) with swallowing and\or communication disorders according to the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust SALT service guidelines and standards.

To be part of the MDT providing a 7 day, extended hours flexible service as required.

To attend and contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, goal setting meetings, and other ward meetings as necessary.

To advise and support relatives, carers and medical staff in the care of these patients

Where appropriate, to transfer\hand over information about these patients to residential\care homes and\or Community SALT services in a timely manner, to ensure a seamless service and to help prevent unnecessary readmissions.

To update and organise the online inpatient caseload documents daily so that there is appropriate and effective handover and prioritisation of patients at all times

To offer supervision to more junior members of the SALT team and SALT students

To participate in the Videofluoroscopy clinic and FEES assessments.

To participate in providing cover across the other parts of the SALT service (and sites) where appropriate.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised stroke services in our hyper acute stroke unit at Maidstone hospital.

We have a team of 9 SLTs and 3 assistants working in stroke plus a further 11 SLTs working in acute and head and neck oncology. We offer both FEES and Videofluoroscopy and have 2 active research trials underway on the stroke unit (PLORAS and PhEAST).

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

o At least 27 days of annual leaveplus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).o Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefitso Blue Light card eligibilityo And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Details

Date posted

23 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

359-7264494-T1

Job locations

Maidstone hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level.(Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please emailmtw-tr.professionalstandards@nhs.netif this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level.(Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trusts 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please emailmtw-tr.professionalstandards@nhs.netif this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Registered member of HCPC
  • Evidence of ongoing CPD/reflective practice

Desirable

  • Level C Dysphagia competencies or equivalent experience

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Post graduate experience
  • Experience of working with adults in an acute setting
  • Sound knowledge of SALT assessments used with adults in the acute setting
  • Knowledge of evidence-based practice, especially in the areas of dysphagia, aphasia, dysarthria, dyspraxia, cognitive-communication disorders and dysphonia
  • Understanding of the principles of clinical governance

Desirable

  • Experience of working with stroke
  • Multidisciplinary team working
  • Knowledge of relevant national policies and standards
  • Knowledge/experience of instrumental assessment

Skills

Essential

  • Able to apply theory to practice for patients on an acute caseload
  • Highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in assessment, diagnosis and management planning
  • High level written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organisational and reflection skills, including the ability to prioritise and manage your own time effectively

Desirable

  • Supervision skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Registered member of HCPC
  • Evidence of ongoing CPD/reflective practice

Desirable

  • Level C Dysphagia competencies or equivalent experience

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Post graduate experience
  • Experience of working with adults in an acute setting
  • Sound knowledge of SALT assessments used with adults in the acute setting
  • Knowledge of evidence-based practice, especially in the areas of dysphagia, aphasia, dysarthria, dyspraxia, cognitive-communication disorders and dysphonia
  • Understanding of the principles of clinical governance

Desirable

  • Experience of working with stroke
  • Multidisciplinary team working
  • Knowledge of relevant national policies and standards
  • Knowledge/experience of instrumental assessment

Skills

Essential

  • Able to apply theory to practice for patients on an acute caseload
  • Highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in assessment, diagnosis and management planning
  • High level written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organisational and reflection skills, including the ability to prioritise and manage your own time effectively

Desirable

  • Supervision skills

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

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Maidstone hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Manager for Speech and Language Therapy

Danielle Neshiri

danielle.neshiri@nhs.net

07756295310

Details

Date posted

23 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

359-7264494-T1

Job locations

Maidstone hospital

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ


Supporting documents

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