Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Neurosciences)NHS

Job summary

Fixed term until August 2027: 0.61wte Band 7 OR 0.72wte Band 6, depending on experience.

We are looking for a Senior Speech & Language Therapist / Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, depending on experience, to join our team to cover a maternity leave on a fixed term contract for up to 12 months. Those seeking to further specialise in the field of neurosciences and who enjoy a mix of both acute and community working would be ideal for this role. It would suit either someone already working at Band 6 level, who is ready to take the next steps in their career development or someone already working at Band 7, with advanced skills in managing neurological dysphagia and related communication disorders. The successful applicant should have experience of working with patients with neurological disorders and have post graduate dysphagia training.

The Speech & Language Therapy team is looking for a team player, who can demonstrate an ability to work under pressure and be flexible in their approach to patient care. The individual should be confident working in a busy multidisciplinary team and be able to travel independently for community visits.

The successful applicant will independently manage a caseload of adults with acquired communication and / or swallowing disorders, actively participating in multidisciplinary decision making around patient care and developing service delivery initiatives.

Knowledge of videofluoroscopy would be advantageous but is not essential.

Main duties of the job

You will contribute to the delivery of a high-quality service within the specialist area of neurosciences. The successful applicant will provide out-patient clinics at The James Cook University Hospital, run a group for patients with Parkinson's Disease, with support from an assistant, and provide inpatient assessment for those with Parkinson's Disease. They would also have sessions on an acute neurology and neurosurgery ward, and intensive care, depending on experience. There may be an opportunity to work within other specialist areas eg Stroke / acute wards, depending on service need and individual preference.

Regular support will be provided both from your line manager and through peer supervision. The existing team consists of 4 other therapists, each with different skill sets and responsibilities, and 1 assistant.

You will be encouraged to take an active role in service improvement (both within our own service and our wider healthcare teams), clinical governance and continuing professional development of self and others in leadership and mentorship.

Job description

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

About us

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.

We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.