Band 6/7 - Speech and Language Therapist, Speech Therapy

NHS; Watford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Watford seeks a part-time Speech & Language Therapist for stroke and acute inpatient wards. Ideal for Band 6 therapists wanting to advance their skills. The role emphasizes professional development with training and supervision provided. Competitive salary up to £56,908 pro rata, with excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Wellbeing programs

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have a HCPC license to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Experience with dysphagia and stroke-related conditions required.

Responsibilities

• Work under pressure in a busy acute environment.
• Contribute to service development projects.
• Deliver therapy interventions for stroke patients.

Skills

Dysphagia knowledge

Assessment tools knowledge

Therapeutic interventions knowledge

Experience in training others

Education

Appropriate qualification to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist

Health and Care Professions Council licence

Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Dysphagia-trained to advanced level

Job description

Go back West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 6/7 - Speech and Language Therapist, Speech Therapy

The closing date is 17 October 2025

We are looking for a Speech & Language Therapist for a part-time role (4 days per week) for the Stroke and Acute inpatient wards at Watford General Hospital.

This would be an excellent role for a Band 6 speech therapist wishing to increase their knowledge, skills, and experience in a stimulating and supportive environment. At a band 6 level this would be a developmental post.

You would be supported to successfully complete a set of competencies prior to obtaining a Band 7 post. Training and supervision would be provided by the speech team.

The post provides an exciting opportunity to develop skills and knowledge within the areas of acute and stroke and developing your skills within agreed competencies. You will have the opportunity to work alongside highly skilled and experienced colleagues.

The post would also offer the candidate the opportunity to participate within service development projects.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder must be able to demonstrate an ability to work under pressure, in a busy acute environment, as part of a team and as an autonomous practitioner.

The speech and language therapy department at West Hertfordshire provides both acute and stroke services to this busy acute hospital.

There are excellent opportunities for personal development and there is a robust CPD programme in place, with regular senior support and supervision, being readily available.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [e-mail] If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

• An appropriate qualification to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Health and Care Professions Council licence to practice.
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Dysphagia-trained to an advanced level.
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses and/or relevant experience up to master's degree equivalent.
• Membership/attendance at relevant Special Interest Groups.

Knowledge:

• In depth knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the adult client group including dysphagia/ dysphasia/dysarthria/dyspraxia/dysphonia/dysfluency/dysgraphia/dyslexia/dementia.
• In depth knowledge of appropriate therapeutic interventions and an ability to analyse comparative benefits for clients (as above).
• In depth knowledge of the management of people with neurological conditions in stroke settings.
• Experience in the provision of training to a wide range of groups/people.
• In depth knowledge of the range and applications of communication aids in stroke settings.
• In depth knowledge and experience in videofluoroscopy.
• Well-established knowledge of RCSLT standards of practice including record keeping.
• A good understanding of the roles of other professionals in stroke, rehabilitation and community settings.
• In depth knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to adults.
• In depth knowledge of research and audit systems relevant to profession and ability to apply to practice/service.
• In depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
• Experience in working with patients with Tracheostomy.
• In-depth experience and knowledge of FEES.

Experience:

• Substantive experience in the area of adult work.
• Highly specialist experience of the management of dysphagia in stroke/acute settings.

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.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

£40,617 to £56,908 a yearinc HCA pro rata