Band 7 - Speech and Language Therapist, Speech Therapy

NHS; Watford; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a part-time Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join its dynamic team at Watford General Hospital. The role involves leading a team, managing a caseload of stroke patients, and requires expertise in dysphagia and videofluoroscopy. This position offers a supportive working environment and opportunities for professional development while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Continuous professional development

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist.
• Experience managing dysphagia in acute settings.
• Ability to work autonomously and under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of band 5 and 6 therapists.
• Manage the caseload of stroke and acute patients.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Dysphagia

Communication aids

Neurological conditions

Videofluoroscopy

Training provision

Education

Health and Care Professions Council licence to practice

Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Advanced Dysphagia training

Relevant short courses up to master's level

Job description

Go back West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 7 - Speech and Language Therapist, Speech Therapy

The closing date is 08 July 2025

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

The successful candidate, an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual, will work with a friendly team of 7 Speech and language therapists.

You would be a senior clinician leading and supporting a team of band 5 and 6 therapists to manage the caseload of stroke and acute patients.

Working knowledge and experience of Videofluoroscopy and Tracheostomy are highly desirable for this role.

You would be working closely with other Speech and Language Therapists and the wider MDT in a friendly and dynamic team.

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.

We also have a strongly embedded appraisal and objective setting system which supports continuous professional development, supervision and clinical governance.

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

£48,270 to £54,931 a yearinc HCA pro rata