Critical Care Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for a Critical Care Specialist Speech & Language Therapist. The post focuses on delivering expert SLT services to adults in acute critical care, with opportunities to advance skills in dysphagia and communication, including FEES and videofluoroscopy.

You will work within a dynamic MDT, contribute to service development, and support CPD and supervision across the team.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist SLT services to adults with dysphagia and communication disorders in acute settings.
• Work within the Critical Care team to deliver early intervention and rehabilitation.
• Supervise Band 5 staff and deputise for clinical team leads.
• Engage in MDT projects, CPD and service development initiatives.
• Develop expertise in FEES and videofluoroscopy for assessment and interpretation.

Job description

Critical Care Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Company:

Company: Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

A Vacancy at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Are you an ambitious, adaptable and forward-thinking Speech and Language Therapist looking for your next career move?

Do you want to be part of a progressive and dynamic team recognised for driving innovation, influencing best practice and transforming the care of patients with communication and swallowing difficulties in critical care?

If so, we would love to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service within Critical Care at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. You'll develop specialist skills in a supportive environment, working alongside experienced clinicians who are passionate about delivering outstanding patient care.

Our Critical Care SLT team is recognised for its progressive approach and strong multidisciplinary relationships. We are highly valued within the critical care workforce, delivering early intervention, rehabilitation and person-centred care from admission through to recovery.

As a department, we lead and contribute to local, regional and national initiatives, championing best practice in communication and swallowing management. Staff are encouraged to become involved in service innovation, quality improvement, research, audit and professional networks. We are looking for a proactive team player who thrives in a collaborative environment and embraces new challenges.

Main duties of the job

You will have the opportunity to work with adults with a wide range of complex conditions. You will be supported to further develop your skills in complex dysphagia and communication, including the management of tracheostomised patients.

We have regular team meetings and are committed to continuing professional development, including via CPD sessions and MDT projects. We have a clear supervision structure, and advice is available from our Clinical Specialists within the department.

Band 6 employees are required to supervise Band 5 and assistant staff and deputise for clinical team leads. You will be encouraged to support service development through participation in internal and external projects.

You will have access to expert practitioner SLTs working with complex dysphagia, critical care, respiratory and voice. We have a well-established inpatient FEES and videofluoroscopy service.

You will have opportunities to develop expertise in:

Critical care rehabilitation

Complex dysphagia assessment and management

Tracheostomy management and competencies

Communication difficulties in critically ill patients

FEES scoping and interpretation

Videofluoroscopy assessment and interpretation

Audit, quality improvement and service development

Leadership and supervision skills

This opportunity is open to experienced Band 5s who are keen to develop into a band 6 role, a training post may be offered if appropriate under Annex 21 conditions.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women’s Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospitalis the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit theircareers page.

To provide a Specialist Speech & Language Therapy Service to patients who have acquired dysphagia and communication disorders in acute settings.

Be an active member of the multidisciplinary teams to ensure the bestpossible service for patients and their families.

Please see attached job description and person specification for further information.

This advert closes on Friday 16 Oct 2026

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust