Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist for Stroke and Neurology

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Canterbury is seeking an enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to lead stroke and neurology services. This role involves providing clinical and operational leadership to a diverse team and ensures high-quality patient care across multiple services. Ideal candidates should have strong clinical skills and a desire to support a positive workplace culture within an innovative healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced clinical skills in stroke and neurology.
• Experience with videofluoroscopy and FEES.
• Ability to manage people effectively within a SLT team.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and operational leadership to the SLT team.
• Ensure high-quality clinical governance and service delivery.
• Support patient care across various SLT services.

Skills

Proven clinical and leadership experience

Capability in operational team leadership

Expertise in SLT service delivery

Job description

Due to increased investment in stroke services, we are expanding our team at EKHUFT! We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated SLT with proven, advanced clinical and leadership experience to lead our stroke and neurology service at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

We take pride in supporting people with stroke or neurological diagnoses to reach their potential. If you're seeking the next challenge in your career, this is a great opportunity to develop our expanding stroke and neurology services. The increased staffing will enable us to deliver a holistic, forward-thinking service over seven days.

We seek a team-player who will contribute to our positive workplace culture. You should be highly skilled in SLT service delivery and capable of operational team leadership.

As part of the broader adult SLT service, you'll join a team that fosters growth and positivity. Our three main hospital sites offer specialist inpatient services including videofluoroscopy and FEES, and we are active in altered airways MDTs. You will work closely with the Head of Service and Clinical Lead for Adult SLT.

Role

This newly developed role offers the creativity to develop our stroke and neurology services at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. The bed configuration at this site is:

• 24 hyperacute stroke beds
• 26 early rehabilitation stroke beds
• 18 acute neurology beds
• 19 neuro-rehabilitation beds

The post-holder will provide clinical and operational leadership to the stroke and neurology SLT team, ensuring high-quality clinical governance, service delivery, effective people management, and innovative service development. They will also support patient care and flow across sites, including dysphagia, communication rehabilitation, videofluoroscopy, FEES, and altered airway services.

The role requires working across the four pillars of practice: Clinical Practice, Leadership and Management, Education, and Research.

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, serving around 800,000 people across five hospitals and community clinics. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people', guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected, and confident that we are making a difference'. Our 'We care' initiative empowers frontline staff to lead improvements daily. We seek compassionate individuals to join our journey of continuous improvement for patients, families, and carers.

Please note: If you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK, declare this on your application, even if you currently hold a sponsorship or work permit elsewhere. We can sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa for roles Band 5 and above.

For further details or informal visits, contact:

Name: Brenna Fossey
Job title: Head of Service and Clinical Lead for Adult SLT
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]

Please contact Brenna by phone to discuss this exciting opportunity!