Advanced Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in the UK seeks an experienced Advanced Speech and Language Therapist. This role involves working in acute settings on stroke care, supervising other team members, and contributing to patient pathways. Candidates should hold a relevant degree, HCPC registration, and have strong clinical knowledge. This position offers opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Regular support and supervision

External and in-service training

Opportunities for interprofessional working

Qualifications

• Evidence of leadership in a team including change management.
• Demonstrate continuous Professional Development.
• Awareness of own strengths and limitations.

Responsibilities

• Form part of the senior team with other advanced specialists.
• Supervise junior Speech and Language Therapists.
• Work within Trust clinical guidelines and monitor quality of practice.

Skills

Advanced clinical knowledge

Effective communication

Team motivation

Problem-solving

Time management

Education

Degree in Speech & Language Therapy

HCPC registration

MSc in relevant health studies or equivalent

Tools

Assessment tools

Job description

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Advanced Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 29 September 2025

We are looking for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our successful team. Our Hyper Acute and Acute Stroke wards provide a 41 bedded unit, which includes on site thrombolysis, 7 day therapy team cover and a 5 day TIA service.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work as part of an innovative Stroke MDT and with our enthusiastic and supportive Speech and Language Therapy Service. The Stroke Therapy team are valued members of our Stroke MDT and actively contribute to service developments, research and planning. The Speech and Language Therapy team work across organisational boundaries to deliver a Stroke ESD and work closely with our community colleagues to develop networks and support patient pathways.

We are looking for a Speech and Language Therapist with experience of working in the acute hospital setting with acquired speech, language, voice and communication impairments and dysphagia after Stroke. This post is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist with a specialist interest in Stroke.

The JD & PS are currently under AfC review and are subject to change

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will:

• Form part of the senior team with other advanced specialists in Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.
• Supervise band 6 and band 5 Speech and Language Therapists and students on placement.
• Contribute to the VFS rota and be given opportunities to develop skills in this area.
• Have evidence of post graduate training and development.
• Can work flexibly as required to support the team to deliver 7 day cover and extended days.

Our team offer:

• Regular support and supervision from experienced Speech and Language Therapists and members of the wider MDT
• Both external and in service training to promote clinical excellence and evidence based practice.
• Strong links with the wider MDT and opportunities for interprofessional working.
• Links to the Research and Innovation department and opportunities to contribute to National and Local research studies.
• Support flexible working.

This post will be suitable for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist looking to further develop their skills in adult acute working and Stroke. A training post may be offered if appropriate (Annex 21)

About us

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Job responsibilities

• To work within Trust clinical guidelines, HCPC and Registrant Body guidelines and to have a working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor own and others quality of practise against these.
• To demonstrate as appropriate to role highly developed physical skills for assessment and treatment of patients eg dexterity, co-ordination, palpatory and other senses.
• To deputise for senior staff in leading specific team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Clinical Educators Certificate or equivalent/experience
• MSc in relevant health studies or equivalent qualification/experience

Experience

• Advanced clinical knowledge relevant to the care environment and evidence of evidence based practise in relevant health setting
• Awareness of own strengths and limitations
• Knowledge of relevant national policies and guidance and relevant assessment tools
• Experience of leadership of a team including change management
• Evidence of effective working within an MDT
• Experience of Service development
• Demonstrate experience of problem solving approaches
• Audit and research in a clinical area
• Demonstrates continuous Professional Development

Skills

• Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives
• Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings
• Accurate record keeping, report writing and IT skills including presentation skills
• Have a flexible approach to working with good time management

Other

• Ability to travel various hospital locations by own car/ assisted driver

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.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust