Acute Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

East Cheshire; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

East Cheshire NHS Trust is seeking a Band 6 Acute Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for Macclesfield District General Hospital. The post covers maternity leave on acute inpatient wards, focusing on dysphagia, swallowing safety, and communication disorders in adults.

You will join a forward‑thinking team, supporting patient-centered care, with opportunities for development, supervision, and involvement in evolving pathways and digital innovations.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration is required and current.
• Dysphagia experience essential for acute inpatient work.
• Experience with adult clients with complex conditions.
• Ability to triage referrals and provide safe eating and drinking advice.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage dysphagia and communication disorders in adults.
• Triaging referrals and presenting holistic patient views.
• Collaborate with ward MDT and supervise junior staff.
• Engage in supervision and training and contribute to service development.

Skills

Dysphagia experience

MDT liaison

Senior clinical decision-making

Leadership supervision

Education

HCPC registration

RCtLS membership

Postgraduate courses in SLT

Clinical Educators Training

Job description

Acute Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Main area Adult Speech and Language Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Part Time) Hours Part time - 30 hours per week Job ref 209-A-26-8256563-A

Site Macclesfield District Town Victoria Road Macclesfield Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per anum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 19/10/2026 23:59

It is all about the people at East Cheshire NHS Trust. We have a real sense of community, and our values are truly embedded into everything we do, ensuring we are a great and inclusive place to work. You will be supported, developed and empowered throughout your career with us. Come and join us, where you can play your part in helping us deliver outstanding care and improving the health of all the people we serve.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and driven Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to join the Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team at Macclesfield District General Hospital, covering maternity leave on our acute inpatient wards. This is a chance to make a real, immediate difference to patients at some of the most critical points in their care, supporting safe swallowing and communication when it matters most.

You will join our forward thinking team to deliver high quality care to patients with communication and swallowing disorders within the acute hospital setting. You will have experience of working with adults with a range of complex long term conditions and be competent in the assessment and management of dysphagia and communication disorders.

We welcome applications from Graduate visa holders; it is important to note that you must have a minimum of 12 months before this expires at the start of your employment for training and operational reasons.

Please be advised we are unable to provide Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship to non-UK residents.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will have experience of analysing referral information, triaging, taking a holistic view of the patient, and providing safe eating and drinking advice to patients and carers. Enthusiastic and motivated, you will be confident liaising with a range of healthcare professionals as part of the ward multidisciplinary team. No two days are the same, acute work offers real variety and the opportunity to develop strong, fast-paced clinical decision-making skills. Dysphagia experience is essential.

On successful application, you will join a well-established, friendly team with a wide range of skills and expertise, based together in one office at Macclesfield District General Hospital, so you'll be well supported from day one with easy access to peer advice and support as you settle into the role. You will engage in regular staff supervision and training, and there will be opportunities for development within the Trust. Our service is also actively evolving, with new clinical pathways and digital innovation underway, so you'll be joining a team that's genuinely moving forward, not standing still. Our priority is on patient centred, holistic care, and we understand the importance of supporting staff to develop their skills and interests.

Working for our organisation

We are committed to providing the best quality integrated care to our patients. To achieve this aim we need highly motivated staff who are united by common values and behaviours.

We believe our workforce is our greatest asset and we actively support our staff to develop their capabilities to the full, with a variety of learning and development opportunities.

Whether you are just starting out in your career or are looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, East Cheshire NHS Trust is the right employer for you. We look forward to you joining us so that we can bring out your best.

Please be aware that this post requires an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check with barred lists, the cost of which is payable by the successful candidate. If you have lived or worked abroad for 6 months or more in the last 5 years you will need to obtain an overseas police clearance. Further information can be found on the additional information links at the bottom of the advert.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application. While this is not discouraged, it is essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section as these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. We kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process and being a member of East Cheshire NHS Trust.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification). In order to facilitate applications from all members of the community the Trust is able to offer services including Braille Applications and Interpreting Services.

Person specification

Skills

• Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to specific client group with speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties
• Well established knowledge of a range of therapeutic and management approaches to relevant to client group
• Ability to lead and supervise junior colleagues
• Advanced communication/ interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Participation in clinical audit
• Ability to prioritise workload, achieving a balance between clinical and other aspects of role
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of team
• Ability to work under pressure
• Proactive, takes own initiative
• Knowledge of the use of videofluoroscopy

Other

• Ability to meet travel requirements

Qualifications

• HCPC registration
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Attendance at degree level post graduate courses relevant to the specialist area or working towards this or be prepared to study at this level
• Completed ‘Clinical Educators Training’

Knowledge

• Post registration knowledge which is relevant to the specialist area and evidenced by CPD
• Awareness of national policies and procedures (relevant to the specialist client group)
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping
• Knowledge of the service / trust values & objectives

Experience

• Proven post registration experience, some of which is in a adult setting / associated area.
• Experience of completing and contributing to audit / research
• Experience of contributing to the teaching and mentoring of staff & members of the MDT.

Specific Job Requirment

• Proven post registration experience of working with patients with a range of neurological and long term conditions.
• Knowledge and experience of administering and interpreting a range of standardised and nonstandardised assessments and individualised interventions relevant to the client group
• Post basic qualifications in dysphagia or equivalent knowledge and experience
• Proven ability to manage complex rehabilitation issues and ensure safe and timely discharge of patients
• Videofluroscopy assessment skills

Further Information

• Please provide any additional relevant information to support your application. Please note that this is a non-scoring question

Other Role Requirements

• Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for further details

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Liz Wilson Job title Professional Lead Adult SLT Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01625 661488 Additional information

Working days Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday