Acute Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Worcester; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Worcester is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to lead their acute team. This role involves providing specialist assessment and treatment for adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders. The ideal candidate will have extensive clinical leadership experience and a commitment to person-centred care. This full-time permanent position offers a salary between £47,810 to £54,710.

Qualifications

• Clear vision for further developing the acute SLT service.
• Car driver essential.
• Ability to cope with physical and emotional demands of acute hospital.

Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialist assessment and treatment for acute inpatients.
• Lead instrumental assessment including FEES and videofluoroscopy.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary team meetings and discharge planning.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Excellent problem-solving skills

Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team

Teaching skills

Excellent verbal and written communication

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC

Advanced postgraduate training in acquired disorders

Job description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced SLT to lead our acute team. The post holder will provide specialist assessment and intervention for adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders across the acute wards and work closely with SLTs in community pathways. This role requires strong clinical leadership, multidisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to person‑centred care. FEES and videofluoroscopy skills preferred, but training can be given in this area if needed.

Main duties

• Provide highly specialist assessment and treatment for acute inpatients with dysphagia and communication difficulties.
• Lead instrumental assessment including Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and videofluoroscopy.
• Deliver clinical supervision, develop junior staff and provide student placements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary team meetings, discharge planning and early supported discharge liaison.
• Co‑ordinate planning, development and evaluation of the SLT service across acute wards and community.
• Liaise with ward staff to establish discharge criteria and manage restraint/delirium risk.
• Deputise for the Operational SLT Manager and Dietetic Manager when required.
• Provide expert advice to MDT and families in complex clinical situations.
• Develop and review service protocols, quality improvement projects and audit activities.
• Maintain clinical records in accordance with RCSLT and HCPC standards.

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

Person specification

• Clear vision for how to further develop the acute SLT service.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work in a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Able to cope with the physical and emotional demands of working in an acute hospital setting.
• Car driver essential.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Speech and Language Therapy leading to RCSLT Licence to Practice.
• Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC.
• Advanced on‑going postgraduate training in acquired disorders of communication and swallowing, achieved through attendance at short courses.
• National conferences and structured personally directed learning evidenced by a learning portfolio.
• Membership of National and Regional Speech and Language Therapy CENs.

Experience

• Significant post‑qualification experience of working proactively within a multidisciplinary team with acute inpatients.
• Significant experience in devising appropriate evidence‑based swallow and communication therapy plans for patients, including referral for more specialist assessment as appropriate.
• Experience of leading teams and people management.
• Experience of supervising assistants and students, and supporting the development of more junior staff.
• Experience in independently devising and conducting service improvement projects.
• Experience of leading appropriate discharge plans for patients.

Knowledge and skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for the communication of complex and sensitive information with patients, carers and other professionals.
• Ability to communicate where patients and carers have barriers to communication.
• Prioritisation skills and excellent time management, with ability to be flexible in line with changing demands.
• Ability to appropriately delegate.
• Teaching skills.
• Ability to influence other members of the team in patient management decisions.
• Ability to work in a holistic, patient‑centred way.
• Ability to synthesise information and through analytical processes produce complex treatment programmes.
• Effective IT skills, including ability to gather relevant data for team outcome measures.
• In‑depth expert knowledge of current issues and treatment approaches in acute care and acquired disorders of communication and dysphagia.
• Knowledge of AAC, both high and low tech, and how to implement this for patients.
• Recent issues and developments within the NHS, the Region and the Profession.
• Knowledge of key aspects of clinical governance and how this applies to practice.

Pay scheme and contract

Band 7, £47,810 to £54,710 a year, permanent, full‑time, flexible working. Reference number C9365‑25‑0550. Location: Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, WR5 1DD.