West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 5/6 - Rotational Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 27 May 2025

Job summary

We have an opportunity for a Band 5 Rotational speech and language therapist to work on the acute and stroke ward.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual, to work with a friendly team of 7 speech and language therapists. This would be an excellent role for a newly qualified speech therapist wishing to increase their knowledge, skills, and experience in a stimulating and supportive environment.

At a band 5 level this would be a developmental post. You would be supported to successfully complete a set of competencies over 12-18 months prior to obtaining the band 6 post. This timeframe may be reviewed depending on any previous time spent working at a band 5 level.

Training and supervision would be provided by the speech team.

Main duties of the job

The post provides an exciting opportunity to develop skills and knowledge within the areas of acute and stroke and developing your skills in management of dysphagia within agreed competencies.

You will have the opportunity to work alongside highly skilled and experienced colleagues.

The post would also offer the candidate the opportunity to participate within service development projects.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Details

Date posted

13 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,469 to £47,084 a year inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-C-10101

Job locations

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post-holder must be able to demonstrate an ability to work under pressure, in a busy acute environment, as part of a team and as an autonomous practitioner.

The speech and language therapy department at West Hertfordshire provides both acute and stroke services to this busy acute hospital.

There are excellent opportunities for personal development and there is a robust CPD programme in place, with regular senior support and supervision, being readily available.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post-holder must be able to demonstrate an ability to work under pressure, in a busy acute environment, as part of a team and as an autonomous practitioner.

The speech and language therapy department at West Hertfordshire provides both acute and stroke services to this busy acute hospital.

There are excellent opportunities for personal development and there is a robust CPD programme in place, with regular senior support and supervision, being readily available.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

Essential

  • Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
  • Registration with HCPC.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development.
  • Accredited dysphagia training or willingness to undertake.

Desirable

  • ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR B6 PROGRESSION: Accredited dysphagia training. Completion of newly qualified practitioner competencies. Post graduate experience.

Knowledge:

Essential

  • CRITERIA FOR BAND 5: o Specialist knowledge and application of speech and language therapy assessments and interventions. o Range of clinical experience and ability to demonstrate application of clinical skills.
  • ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR B6 PROGRESSION: oBroad base of clinical experience and ability to demonstrate application of clinical skills. oExperience of delivering care to dysphagia service users living within the acute settings. oExperience of supervising junior staff and students.
  • COMMUNICATION SKILLS CRITERIA FOR BAND 5: oPost registration experience in a relevant clinical setting. oRange of clinical experience. o Clear communication through written, verbal and non-verbal modes.
  • ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR B6 PROGRESSION: Broad base of clinical experience assessment and management.

Experience:

Essential

  • Experience relevant to an adult caseload.
  • Able to demonstrate the application of in depth, new and ongoing learning and experience to clinical practice.
  • Well-established knowledge of a range of relevant therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group (as above).
  • Well-established knowledge of the management of people with progressive neurological conditions.
  • Knowledge of the range and applications of communication aids.
  • Knowledge of professional standards including record keeping.
  • A good understanding of the roles of other professionals in acute, settings.
  • A well-established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to adults.
  • A good understanding of the application of research and audit systems.
  • Understanding of the principles of clinical governance.

Desirable

  • Management of dysphagia in acute/stroke settings.
  • Experience in the provision of training for others.
  • Knowledge of the application and protocol for use of video fluoroscopy.
Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

Essential

  • Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
  • Registration with HCPC.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development.
  • Accredited dysphagia training or willingness to undertake.

Desirable

  • ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR B6 PROGRESSION: Accredited dysphagia training. Completion of newly qualified practitioner competencies. Post graduate experience.

Knowledge:

Essential

  • CRITERIA FOR BAND 5: o Specialist knowledge and application of speech and language therapy assessments and interventions. o Range of clinical experience and ability to demonstrate application of clinical skills.
  • ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR B6 PROGRESSION: oBroad base of clinical experience and ability to demonstrate application of clinical skills. oExperience of delivering care to dysphagia service users living within the acute settings. oExperience of supervising junior staff and students.
  • COMMUNICATION SKILLS CRITERIA FOR BAND 5: oPost registration experience in a relevant clinical setting. oRange of clinical experience. o Clear communication through written, verbal and non-verbal modes.
  • ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR B6 PROGRESSION: Broad base of clinical experience assessment and management.

Experience:

Essential

  • Experience relevant to an adult caseload.
  • Able to demonstrate the application of in depth, new and ongoing learning and experience to clinical practice.
  • Well-established knowledge of a range of relevant therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group (as above).
  • Well-established knowledge of the management of people with progressive neurological conditions.
  • Knowledge of the range and applications of communication aids.
  • Knowledge of professional standards including record keeping.
  • A good understanding of the roles of other professionals in acute, settings.
  • A well-established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to adults.
  • A good understanding of the application of research and audit systems.
  • Understanding of the principles of clinical governance.

Desirable

  • Management of dysphagia in acute/stroke settings.
  • Experience in the provision of training for others.
  • Knowledge of the application and protocol for use of video fluoroscopy.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Therapy Team Lead Dietetics and Speech Therapy

Meghna Mapara

meghna.mapara@nhs.net

01923217200

Details

Date posted

13 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,469 to £47,084 a year inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-C-10101

Job locations

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB


Supporting documents

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