Acute Lead Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Dartford; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Adult SLT team at Darent Valley Hospital is seeking a Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to co-lead the acute inpatient service. This permanent position involves managing a caseload within the ICU and overseeing a team, focusing on service development and training within a supportive environment. The role requires specialized experience, particularly in acute and critical care settings, and offers ongoing professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Significant postgraduate experience in associated specialties.
• Experience of tracheostomy assessment and management.
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead the acute inpatient service managing caseload.
• Supervise and support a team of therapists and assistants.
• Contribute to service development and training.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical Governance

Assessment Tools Knowledge

Therapeutic Interventions Knowledge

Ability to Work as Part of a Team

Education

Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification

Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practise

Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

Job description

Job summary

The Adult SLT team at Darent Valley Hospital have an exciting opportunity for a permanent Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist (0.8wte) to join our team at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. We are looking to recruit a dynamic, innovative and skilled Speech and Language Therapist to co-lead the acute inpatient service managing the caseload of acute inpatients including the hospital's 10-bedded Intensive Care Unit.

We are situated near South-East London with good transport links, where an additional 5% high cost of living allowance applies. We pride ourselves in being a friendly, proactive and flexible team.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be a senior clinician with specialist experience of acute and critical care work, leading and supporting a team of therapists and therapy assistants to manage the caseload of acute patients. Experience of tracheostomy is essential for this role. There is access to weekly videofluoroscopy and FEES clinics, and while working knowledge and experience of these assessments are highly desirable for the role, we would be pleased to support attainment of additional competencies as required. The post holder will work together with another B7 Acute Lead SLT to jointly manage the acute team, ensuring ongoing clinical governance and service evaluation and development. They will be supervised by the Band 8 Inpatient Lead SLT. Additionally they will work alongside the Stroke SLT team and there are also well established Outpatient and Macmillan teams, and excellent administrative support.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Details Date posted

13 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,270 to £54,931 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

252-7167596-C

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Job description Job responsibilities

Established leadership skills are essential for this role. The successful candidate will be an active member of the SLT team and will contribute to service development and training including audit and projects, as well as line management and supervision of colleagues. Teaching will be a significant part of your role contributing to training of staff on wards and other professional groups across the hospital, as well as supporting junior SLT staff and SLT students.

We offer a friendly and supportive working environment, with peer support and regular clinical and managerial supervision. There is access to informal and formal training and CPD opportunities, where learning and sharing is strongly encouraged. We strive for ongoing service development, and participation in projects and audits, and cross-discipline working is highly valued. We are passionate about our team and profession, and actively raise the profile of Speech and Language Therapy.

Please watch our recruitment video to hear more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZCMlSDW0o

We would be very excited to welcome another passionate SLT into our team!

If you are interested in this post and would like any more information, please email [e-mail] or telephone [phone] to discuss the post further. You are also very welcome to visit the Department. We would be very pleased to hear from you.

Job description Job responsibilities

Established leadership skills are essential for this role. The successful candidate will be an active member of the SLT team and will contribute to service development and training including audit and projects, as well as line management and supervision of colleagues. Teaching will be a significant part of your role contributing to training of staff on wards and other professional groups across the hospital, as well as supporting junior SLT staff and SLT students.

We offer a friendly and supportive working environment, with peer support and regular clinical and managerial supervision. There is access to informal and formal training and CPD opportunities, where learning and sharing is strongly encouraged. We strive for ongoing service development, and participation in projects and audits, and cross-discipline working is highly valued. We are passionate about our team and profession, and actively raise the profile of Speech and Language Therapy.

Please watch our recruitment video to hear more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZCMlSDW0o

We would be very excited to welcome another passionate SLT into our team!

If you are interested in this post and would like any more information, please email [e-mail] or telephone [phone] to discuss the post further. You are also very welcome to visit the Department. We would be very pleased to hear from you.

Person Specification Education and Training Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practise
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses
• Evidence of CPD relevant to role

Desirable

• Leadership training or qualification

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group
• Well established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to client group
• Well established knowledge of range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group
• Well-developed knowledge of standards of clinical record keeping
• Well-developed knowledge of relevant procedures including (vulnerable adults, Mental Capacity Act etc.) and other legal requirements
• Well-developed knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and audit and their application to professional practice
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Desirable

• Publication in appropriate journals, etc

Experience Essential

• Significant postgraduate experience in associated specialties
• Experience at specialist level or above to further develop skills to be able to demonstrate advanced level of skills in Specialist field
• Experience of tracheostomy assessment and management
• Experience of management of a wide range of complex pathologies
• Delivering in service training programmes
• Experience in supervision and clinical education of more junior staff, students and assistants
• Active participation in audit and research

Desirable

• Experience carrying out videofluoroscopy and/or FEES assessment including analysis and report writing
• Experience in line management

Person Specification Education and Training Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practise
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses
• Evidence of CPD relevant to role

Desirable

• Leadership training or qualification

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group
• Well established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to client group
• Well established knowledge of range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group
• Well-developed knowledge of standards of clinical record keeping
• Well-developed knowledge of relevant procedures including (vulnerable adults, Mental Capacity Act etc.) and other legal requirements
• Well-developed knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and audit and their application to professional practice
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Desirable

• Publication in appropriate journals, etc

Experience Essential

• Significant postgraduate experience in associated specialties
• Experience at specialist level or above to further develop skills to be able to demonstrate advanced level of skills in Specialist field
• Experience of tracheostomy assessment and management
• Experience of management of a wide range of complex pathologies
• Delivering in service training programmes
• Experience in supervision and clinical education of more junior staff, students and assistants
• Active participation in audit and research

Desirable

• Experience carrying out videofluoroscopy and/or FEES assessment including analysis and report writing
• Experience in line management

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

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)