Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Job summary

Surrey Downs Health & Care

Are you an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist looking to develop your expertise in neurorehabilitation?

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly and supportive Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2027.

This role is ideal for an existing Band 6, or an experienced Band 5 ready for career progression. While two years' post-registration experience is desirable, we welcome applicants with relevant transferable skills.

You will join a well-established multidisciplinary team delivering stroke-supported discharge and neurorehabilitation pathways across inpatient and community settings. The role includes managing neurological and non-neurological caseloads, including dysphagia, with access to videofluoroscopy to support clinical decision-making.

We offer strong clinical and managerial support, with a clear commitment to evidence-based practice, CPD, regular supervision, and career development.

The postholder will primarily be based at Dorking Community Hospital, with flexibility to support outpatient clinics, home visits, and care homes across Surrey Downs as required.

A valid UK driving licence and access to a car are essential.

Main duties of the job

• Working autonomously as a Specialist SLT within the community MDT, delivering a specialist standard of assessment, clinical diagnosis, treatment and management of communication and swallowing impairments in adults.
• Providing differential diagnosis of communication/swallowing impairments, identifying patient-centred SMART goals and offering appropriate therapy programmes.
• With support from senior members of the team, taking a lead role in the delivery of SLT services in Stroke Supported Discharge.
• Continuing to develop skills in communication and dysphagia management; staying up to date with the current evidence base; providing specialist training to other professionals; and assisting with the development of therapists/ assistants/ students.
• Supporting the leadership of the CNRT in research, development and evaluation of services/ policies.

About us

Surrey Downs Health and Care deliver care closer to people's own communities through our Primary Care Networks, Community Hospitals, Specialist Services and our innovative partnership of local NHS organisations.

Surrey Downs Health and Care has a track record of providing person centered care that goes beyond organisational boundaries to do what is best for the individual. This partnership includes:

• The three GP federations GP Health Partners, Dorking Health Care and Surrey Medical Network representing practices that operate in the Surrey Downs area
• Epsom and St Helier's University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Surrey County Council

Historically, there have been boundary lines between the organisations that provide care to people in their homes, in GP surgeries and in hospitals, but we have always been united in our mission to provide great care to the people who need us.

It's on those grounds that the Surrey Downs Health and Care was formed - we want local people to receive the care that they need in the right environment. By bringing together our expertise, we can improve patient care and enable local people to access the right support, care and treatment more easily than ever before.

In bringing this partnership together, we are working to the same set of values that will translate into better care for our residents.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for more detailed information about the role and its requirements. When completing your application, be sure to address both documents to ensure your qualifications align with the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Speech & Language Therapist
• Completed dysphagia competencies

Experience

Essential

• HCPC Registration
• Experience of working in adult neurology in NHS

Desirable

• RCSLT membership
• Minimum of 2 years working with adults
• Experience in videofluoroscopy
• Experience working in stroke
• Experience working with non-neuro dysphagia caseload

Skills

Essential

• Evidence of autonomy working with broad adult caseload
• Evidence of MDT working

Desirable

• Completed audit/ service development
• Delivered training

Other

Essential

• Valid licence to drive in UK with access to vehicle for work purposes

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

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Epsom Hospital, Langley Wing

Epsom

KT18 7EG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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