Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist - Adult Community Team

NHS; Norwich; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization is seeking a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist to join their dynamic team at Norwich Community Hospital. The successful candidate will work with a diverse range of conditions, providing assessment and treatment for adults with communication and swallowing disorders. The role offers ample support and professional development opportunities in a full-time capacity.

Benefits

Continuous professional development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Undergraduate clinical experience in adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
• Basic knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions for acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
• Good communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment and treatment for adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
• Manage a caseload and be accountable for clinical decisions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Assessment and therapeutic interventions

Education

RCSLT recognised qualification in Speech and Language Therapy

HCPC Registration

RCSLT Registration

Job description

Overview

Job summary: Exciting opportunity for newly qualified or experienced Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist to join a supportive adult community speech and language therapy team based at Norwich Community Hospital. Gain experience working with people with a diverse range of conditions and develop your skills in independently managing a communication and dysphagia caseload. Intensive support will be provided to the successful candidate to meet their dysphagia competencies with regular access to supervision and continuing professional development opportunities.

Main duties of the job: To provide Speech and Language Therapy assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment for adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders in a range of community settings including clinics, care homes and in patients own homes.

About us

Find out more about working for our organisation here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2565ae62eb.html

Please note: the selection processes at Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right values and skills. The organisation monitors the use of AI in applications to ensure accuracy of reflected skills.

Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an Outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.

Details

Date posted: 19 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year NA

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 839-7485831-GP

Job locations: Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, NR2 3TU

Responsibilities

Clinical

• Hold and manage a delegated caseload and be legally accountable for all clinical decisions and professional actions.
• Provide assessment, differential diagnosis and clearly planned Speech and Language Therapy intervention and discharge planning for patients with a wide range of disorders, in line with Communicating Quality 3, RCSLT Clinical Guidelines, and standards set by Team Leader and Head of Adult SLT Service, in conjunction with Principal SLTs.
• Adapt assessment and intervention techniques to the needs of individual patients, including provision of augmentative and alternative communication systems where appropriate.
• Identify need for second opinions and refer to senior colleagues/Principal SLTs as appropriate.
• Contribute to assessment and information gathering of a patient’s mental capacity in relation to consent, enabling independence in decision making and communication of wishes.
• Work with agencies and MDT colleagues to ensure comprehensive management of SLT needs, providing written and verbal reports as appropriate.
• Participate in case conferences and multi-disciplinary working to enhance patients’ functional abilities.
• Devise, monitor, supervise and evaluate communication and swallowing intervention programmes carried out by others (e.g., SLT assistants, other health professionals, volunteers, carers).
• Provide information to patients, carers and families in an understandable manner, observing data protection guidelines, and adapting for cultural and linguistic differences, including translation services where appropriate.
• With senior support, negotiate patient-led goals with the patient, family, carers and MDT to engage in treatment and prioritise care planning where possible.
• Recognise emotional consequences of distressing clinical scenarios and know where to seek appropriate assistance.
• Demonstrate empathy and ensure effective communication, especially where barriers exist.
• Contribute to teaching and training of family members, carers and other professionals as appropriate.
• Audit clinical effectiveness of interventions on own caseload using Evidence Based Practice and outcome measures determined by specialist SLTs.
• Keep up to date with clinical and technological advances in liaison with senior colleagues and work flexibly with SLT colleagues to provide a seamless service.
• Develop resources to meet patient requirements and for departmental use.
• Professional
• Represent the Adult Speech and Language Therapy Team as requested by the Head of Adult SLT or Team Leader.
• Adhere to the SLT departmental supervision policy.
• Participate in Clinical Governance, Research and Development and Audit activities as required by line manager and MDT.
• Provide observation opportunities for prospective SLT career candidates and students from other health professions as requested by Team Leader.
• Assist in clinical training of SLT Undergraduates on placements and contribute to training of medical students in agreement with Team Leaders and Student Placement Co-ordinator.
• Support the work and development of assistants and volunteers in the clinical area.
• Assist Specialist SLTs in providing training and updating to other professionals in the specialist area.

Organisational

• Collect, input and monitor own caseload data and report to Team Leader and specialists as required.
• Inform the Team Leader of variations to service delivery and their likely impact on service development.
• Monitor stock levels and maintain a yearly stock-take of equipment with SLT colleagues and administrative staff.
• Keep assessment materials and equipment up to date, safe and in good order, informing leaders of needs identified.
• Maintain records of communication equipment loaned to patients.
• Support development of clinical standards, policies, procedures and service developments.
• Adhere to service and team plans and policies and comment on proposed service/policy developments as appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate patient and clinical records in line with Trust policies and the service specification.

Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications

• RCSLT recognised qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC Registration
• RCSLT Registration

Experience

• Undergraduate clinical experience in adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders

Desirable

• Clinical experience as a Speech & Language Therapist
• Caseload management

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions for acquired communication and swallowing disorders
• Good communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Able to work within MDT

Additional desirable attributes

• Post graduate dysphagia training
• Awareness of clinical governance and audit principles
• Able to organise workload and manage time

Personal attributes

• Able to identify with the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults
• Able to empathise with patients who may have life-changing, progressive and/or terminal medical conditions
• Willing to learn
• Flexible and able to adapt quickly to demands of service

Other information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires an DBS submission. UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust, Norwich Community Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, NR2 3TU

Employer's website: https://www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk