Band 8A Clinical Specialist Speech & Language Therapist | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is looking for a motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join their team at Barnet Hospital. In this role, you will work with patients having communication and swallowing difficulties, focusing on those with complex airways. You will provide clinical expertise, support service development, and supervise other specialists. This position offers opportunities for training and professional development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Supportive team environment

Professional development and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working in a clinical setting with complex airway patients.
• Proven ability to supervise and train others.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary, evidence-based practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage a specialist caseload in respiratory, surgical, and critical care.
• Provide clinical supervision to specialist SLTs.
• Coordinate patient care communication between professionals.

Skills

Clinical expertise in Speech and Language Therapy

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Research activity

Education

Relevant degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, highly motivated and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join the Therapy team at Barnet Hospital as a Clinical Specialist in Complex Airways. The successful applicant will ensure clinical excellence in the provision of a highly specialist, evidence based SLT service for patients with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties with a particular focus on those with complex airways. They will act as a source of specialist expertise for the Barnet SLT team, service users, other healthcare professionals, and stakeholders. The post holder will be based in the Respiratory, Surgery & Critical Care therapy team alongside dietitians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, and will be part of a team of senior SLTs working within specialty groups that include Neurology, Head and Neck Cancer, Voice, General medicine / Health Services for the Elderly and Emergency Medicine.

Responsibilities

• Carry a predominantly clinical role with a specialist caseload across the respiratory, surgical and critical care areas, whilst working closely with the multi-disciplinary healthcare team.
• Provide clinical supervision to identified specialist SLTs and contribute to the continued development of the services.
• Demonstrate an expert level of communication to coordinate and navigate patient care between professionals.
• Provide and train others in specialist skills for interpretative assessment techniques and interventions (e.g. FEES, Videofluoroscopy, stroboscopy).
• Deputise for the Professional Lead SLT / Team Clinical Lead when needed to support collaborative MDT working practices, governance processes, and achievement of local and national standards.
• Support the development of the service, including research activity and building staff capacity in research literacy.
• Participate in the SLT bank holiday rota as an autonomous practitioner within the Trust.

Team and Work Environment

The post holder will be part of the Therapies department at Barnet Hospital, with opportunities for supervision, appraisal, in-house or external training and leadership development. You will join a supportive team of Speech and Language Therapists providing a service across Barnet and Chase Farm sites, and will be part of a broader SLT team across the Royal Free London Foundation NHS Trust sites. The SLT service runs videofluoroscopy and FEES instrumental assessment clinics.

About Royal Free London

The Royal Free London has excellent clinical outcomes and a strong commitment to interdisciplinary, evidence-based practice. We are a friendly and welcoming service with staff wellbeing a high priority and a movement towards achieving a fully inclusive department.

Eligibility and How to Apply

For more information please follow the link: https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more detail about this role.

Notes: The advert may close early if a high volume of applications are received. Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application. This advert closes on Friday 19 Sep 2025.