Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist - Acute Medical Unit

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

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in London is seeking a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to lead and manage a team providing services in the Acute Medical Unit. Candidates should have a recognized degree, substantial experience with neurological disorders, and be able to lead a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. This is a full-time, permanent role with competitive pay and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Continuous Professional Development

Supervision and peer support

Access to training opportunities

Qualifications

• Evidence of completion of specialist courses equivalent to a Masters degree.
• Significant experience with adults with acquired neurological disorders.
• Ability to manage complex communication disorders.

Responsibilities

• Provide SLT services to patients in the acute wards.
• Lead on the management of patients with tracheostomy.
• Support the multidisciplinary team in service development.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Team collaboration

Assessment skills

Education

Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Health & Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice

Tools

Videofluoroscopy

FEES

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; Interview date 27th August 2026

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

31 July 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

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Stadium Road

London

SE18 4QH

Job description Job 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.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for more detail.

Job description Job 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.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for more detail.

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

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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Stadium Road

London

SE18 4QH

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Stadium Road

London

SE18 4QH

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)