Developing Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

NHS; Dartford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a full-time Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist for Darent Valley Hospital. The role involves working with a diverse patient group, providing assessment and treatment for communication and swallowing disorders. The successful candidate will join a supportive team and have opportunities for professional development. Candidates can be newly qualified or experienced, with a focus on teamwork and patient care.

Benefits

High cost of living allowance

Excellent supervision and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience with adult clients with communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Knowledge of clinical governance and audit principles.

Responsibilities

• Work with a generalist outpatient caseload focusing on ENT/Voice patients.
• Provide training to other healthcare professionals.

Skills

Communication

Swallowing disorders

Therapeutic interventions

Education

Recognised Speech & Language Therapist degree qualification

Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practise

Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

Tools

Assessment tools

Computer packages

Job description

Job summary

We are excited to recruit a full-time permanent Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to work with outpatients and inpatients at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, on the South-East London/North-West Kent border. We would consider appointing a newly qualified or established Developing Specialist SLT with the required profile and enthusiasm. We are situated near South-East London with good transport links, where an additional 5% high cost of living allowance applies. We pride ourselves in being a friendly, proactive and flexible team.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will work part-time with a generalist outpatient caseload with an emphasis on ENT/Voice patients and including dysphagia [2-3 days, dependent on experience and interest]. They will also work on the acute wards [the remainder of the time] including respiratory, gastroenterology, general medical, surgical and care of the elderly.

The post holder will be working alongside our team of 17 staff: Highly Specialist SLT Team Leads, Specialist and developing Specialist SLTs, SLT Assistants and administrators. There are well established Inpatient, Outpatient and Macmillan teams, and excellent team administrative support.

About us

The post holder will work towards becoming independent in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. Experience with dysphonia, dysphagia, and outpatient/inpatient work is desirable. They will be an integral member of the Adult SLT team and will gain the opportunity to provide training to other healthcare professionals. The successful candidate will be able to access support from lead specialist therapists in areas of voice, dementia, palliative care, stroke/neurology, tracheostomy, and head & neck cancer. There are also on-site weekly videofluoroscopy and FEES clinics, and access to the off-site Voice Clinic.

Details Date posted

16 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

Depending on experience Dependent on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

252-7156631-A

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Job description Job responsibilities

For newly qualified practitioners, we have a preceptorship and an in-house dysphagia programme, which enable RCSLT and dysphagia competencies to be completed. The chosen candidate will also receive excellent supervision from the well-established and well-resourced SLT team. There is access to informal and formal training and CPD opportunities, where learning and sharing is strongly encouraged. We strive for ongoing service development, and regular participation in projects and audits, and cross-discipline working is highly valued. We are passionate about our team and profession, and actively raise the profile of Speech and Language Therapy including on our X account @dgt_sltdvh

Please watch our recruitment video to hear more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZCMlSDW0o

We would be very excited to welcome another passionate SLT into our team!

If you are interested in this post and would like any more information, please email [e-mail] or telephone [phone] to discuss the post further. You are also very welcome to visit the Department. We would be very pleased to hear from you.

Job description Job responsibilities

For newly qualified practitioners, we have a preceptorship and an in-house dysphagia programme, which enable RCSLT and dysphagia competencies to be completed. The chosen candidate will also receive excellent supervision from the well-established and well-resourced SLT team. There is access to informal and formal training and CPD opportunities, where learning and sharing is strongly encouraged. We strive for ongoing service development, and regular participation in projects and audits, and cross-discipline working is highly valued. We are passionate about our team and profession, and actively raise the profile of Speech and Language Therapy including on our X account @dgt_sltdvh

Please watch our recruitment video to hear more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZCMlSDW0o

We would be very excited to welcome another passionate SLT into our team!

If you are interested in this post and would like any more information, please email [e-mail] or telephone [phone] to discuss the post further. You are also very welcome to visit the Department. We would be very pleased to hear from you.

Person Specification Education and Training Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapist degree qualification or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practise
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

Desirable

• Successful completion of postgraduate training in dysphagia
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses including dysphagia

Experience Essential

• Experience of working with adult clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties
• Experience working in a hospital setting

Desirable

• Completion of Kings Dysphagia Supervision Schedule or equivalent
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group
• Knowledge of range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group
• Awareness of standards of clinical record keeping
• Working knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and audit and their application to professional practice

Desirable

• Publication in appropriate journals, etc
• Proficient use of computer packages such as word, excel, publisher

Person Specification Education and Training Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapist degree qualification or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practise
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

Desirable

• Successful completion of postgraduate training in dysphagia
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses including dysphagia

Experience Essential

• Experience of working with adult clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties
• Experience working in a hospital setting

Desirable

• Completion of Kings Dysphagia Supervision Schedule or equivalent
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group
• Knowledge of range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group
• Awareness of standards of clinical record keeping
• Working knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and audit and their application to professional practice

Desirable

• Publication in appropriate journals, etc
• Proficient use of computer packages such as word, excel, publisher

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.

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.

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

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)