Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist - Acute Medical Unit

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in London seeks a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to lead an acute team and manage patients with complex swallowing and communication disorders. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and substantial experience in clinical settings. The role offers professional development opportunities and a full-time contract.

Benefits

CPD and supervision opportunities

Peer support

Internal and external training

Qualifications

• Registered member of the Royal College required for the role.
• Master's degree or equivalent in clinical specialism preferred.
• Specialist experience with adults post-stroke is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist SLT service to acute wards in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
• Assess and manage complex patients with swallowing disorders.
• Train and support SLT colleagues and other professionals.

Skills

Significant specialist experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders

Knowledge of evidence-based treatment for communication disorders

Excellent interpersonal skills

In-depth knowledge of tracheostomy assessment

Basic IT Skills

Education

Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses

Health & Care Professions Council – Licence to Practice

Fully registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Job description

Job summary

We are delighted to share a rare and exciting opportunity to join our friendly, well-established team in a brand new role at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Due to expansion and improvement of the Acute Medical Unit (AMU), we are seeking to recruit a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to be joint team lead for the acute team, and to clinically lead on delivery of the service to AMU.

The postholder will share responsibility for leading the acute team of band 5 and 6 SLTs and a band 4 assistant alongside the other band 7 team lead, and will have access to CPD, supervision, peer support and internal and external training opportunities to develop and enhance their leadership skills.

The successful candidate will carry a caseload of patients on AMU, including patients with and without tracheostomies, and those receiving non-invasive ventilation. Leadership of videofluoroscopy clinics for in- and outpatients, and delivery of the inpatient FEES service, provide ample opportunity to consolidate specialist skills in instrumental assessment of dysphagia.

We welcome contact from interested candidates who would like to discuss this post.

PLEASE NOTE: We may not be able to offer sponsorship for this post

Main duties of the job

To provide a highly specialist SLT service to patients on the acute wards at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, with primary responsibility for the Acute Medical Unit.

To provide cross-cover and support to critical care as required.

To work with other members of the multidisciplinary team to develop services and standards of patient care.

To provide training and support to SLT colleagues or to colleagues from other professions.

To assist the Head of Speech and Language Therapy with service evaluation.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

Details

Date posted: 03 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum plus HCAS

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 197-UT7123-A

Job locations: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, London, SE18 4QH

Job description – Responsibilities

Key Result Areas & Performance:

To use highly specialist skills to assess, differentially diagnose and manage complex patients with acquired swallowing and communication disorders on the AMU and acute wards at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

To support in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of patients with tracheostomy who have swallowing and communication impairments, and to provide specialist input to these patients where weaning from the tracheostomy is problematic.

To work independently to fulfil the core responsibilities identified below.

To ensure effective joint working with the Multi‑Disciplinary Teams in the management and discharge planning of these patients.

To provide training and/or support to other professionals concerning swallowing or communication problems.

To contribute to the development of clinical guidelines which are based upon sound evidence.

To undertake audit and outcome projects with the supervision of the Head of SLT.

To comment on and adhere to service and team plans and policies.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training – Essential

• Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses at a Masters degree equivalent (or an MSc if available in clinical specialism)
• Health & Care Professions Council – Licence to Practice
• Fully registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Desirable

• Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Network

Experience – Essential

• Significant specialist experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders, particularly Stroke, post registration
• Experience of performing and interpreting Videofluoroscopies (GGC Level 3)
• Experience of supervising junior SLTs, assistants and students
• Experience of rehabilitation and acute work with adults in therapeutic settings

Desirable

• Experience of performing and interpreting FEES

Knowledge and Skills – Essential

• Knowledge of the evidence base for effective treatment for adults with communication and swallowing disorders
• In‑depth knowledge of tracheostomy assessment and management
• Well established knowledge of a broad range of relevant assessment tools
• Well established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions
• In‑depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
• Basic IT Skills
• In‑depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping

Personal Qualities and Skills – Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Highly developed negotiation and problem‑solving skills
• Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to be a good team member & assume leadership responsibilities

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, London, SE18 4QH

Website: https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/