Clinical Lead Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – Adult Acute

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious healthcare institution in the UK is seeking an experienced Speech & Language Therapist to lead a small team at Hammersmith Hospital. This fixed-term position emphasizes clinical leadership, team management, and a commitment to improving patient care. Ideal candidates will possess significant clinical experience and a degree in Speech & Language Therapy. A variety of benefits, including career development and flexible working options, are offered.

Benefits

Career development

Flexible working

Staff recognition scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in leading a team of therapists in clinical settings.
• Ability to deliver high quality and responsive service.
• Knowledge in conducting instrumental assessments.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of therapists providing clinical care.
• Manage operational and quality aspects of the service.
• Contribute to service improvements and training.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Training and education

Evidence-based practice

Education

Degree in Speech & Language Therapy

Relevant clinical experience

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. We are looking for an experienced Speech & Language Therapist to clinically lead our small team of SLTs providing a site-wide adult acute service at Hammersmith Hospital. This is a 12 month fixed-term maternity cover and is an ideal post for an experienced clinician wishing to maintain expert clinical duties whilst developing their leadership skills.

You will provide expert clinical care and leadership of the small, friendly team of 3.0 wte SLTs (inclusive of this post) delivering an evidence based, responsive service to adults admitted with swallowing and communication difficulties across the site (critical care, medical and surgical beds). Hammersmith Hospital is a specialist hospital offering a range of services, including renal, haematology, cancer (including upper GI) and cardiology care.

You will be responsible for the team and service and carry a clinical caseload alongside managing operational and quality issues. You will contribute to instrumental assessments including FEES and video fluoroscopy. You will be actively involved in training and education and drive service improvements and innovations in practice.

You will join a wider team of over 40 SLTs across our three hospital sites, with excellent support and close-knit working with your fellow clinical lead SLTs based at Charing Cross and St Mary’s hospital sites and receive regular supervision and support from the Clinical Service Lead SLT.

Responsibilities

• Be an advanced specialist, fulfilling a specialist clinical role within your area of expertise, focusing on innovative clinical leadership and delivery of a high quality, robust and responsive service.
• Provide aspirational clinical support to other therapists within the team and ensure delivery of a service that is informed by best evidence and expert knowledge.
• Provide clinical and managerial leadership which inspires motivates and empowers therapists in the delivery of excellent patient experience.
• Be responsible for the day-to-day operational service planning and delivery of the service.
• Be clinically accountable for delivery of the clinical service within area of responsibility and for the operational planning of a safe, effective service.
• Support staff development from a clinical and non-clinical perspective, acting as a good role model.
• Deliver department plans which drive efficiency and quality initiatives across the Division, in partnership with your CSL, finance and human resource colleagues.
• Support the clinical service lead (CSL) in SLT with the development and delivery of innovative service improvement projects focussed on improving quality of care and patient outcomes.
• Provide the CSL with assurance of proactive management of clinical and cost improvement plans, ensuring appropriate actions are taken to mitigate or respond to identified risks.
• Provide education and training.

Benefits

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.

Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Additional information

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews, please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

This advert closes on Wednesday 5 Nov 2025