Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Ruislip; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare trust in the UK is looking for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join their innovative adult community service. The role requires extensive experience in SLT, specifically managing complex dysphagia and neurological disorders. This position includes providing clinical leadership, and offering support to junior staff. The successful candidate will have opportunities for professional development and be involved in audit and service quality improvement. A valid HCPC membership is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Extensive and recent SLT experience at least at Band 6 level.
• Evidence based audit and research project experience.
• Supervision and leadership of Speech and Language Therapists.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive speech and language therapy service.
• Work closely with the Speech and Language Therapy Team Lead.
• Deliver clinical care in a community setting.

Skills

Experience in adult acute/community settings

Working within multidisciplinary teams

Delivering specialist training

Carrying out evidence-based audit

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree

Registered with the Health Professions Council

Advanced practitioner post-graduate study

Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Job description

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 01 January 2026

An exciting, permanent opportunity has arisen to join the innovative Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy service in Hillingdon. This role would suit a new or experienced Band 7 with an interest in complex dysphagia and health conditions, acquired neurological disorders and service development. You will be working at the forefront of Hillingdon Adult Speech and Language Therapy service. You will provide clinical leadership to a subsection of the community / domiciliary team members with the support of the Team Lead and deliver highly specialist speech and language therapy intervention into domiciliary, and at our Intermediate care units.

You will be expected to contribute to audit, QI and service development, supporting junior members of staff and will receive regular clinical supervision, support through team meetings, clinical forums and access to further CPD opportunities. Evidence of appropriate qualification and HCPC membership is essential.Driving/car access is an essential requirement for this post. Salary is dependent on NHS experience and current banding/pay point. Part‑time / Flexible working requirements will be considered.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work closely with the Speech and Language Therapy Team Lead to develop the service. Independently, delivering high quality clinical care in the community in line with the national drive in preventative care. Work alongside the Hillingdon Community Rehabilitation Service with other AHP's and with broader community services, such as ESD, Care Home support and Specialist Nursing teams. The Community / Domiciliary SLT service is part of the wider SLT Outpatient, voice and Videofluoroscopy service.

Videofluoroscopy training and competency development can be supported within the weekly Community SLT led service, including MBsimP training as appropriate.

About us

Hillingdon Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy Service

We are a supportive friendly team who work across the large diverse London borough of Hillingdon. We pride ourselves on delivering patient centred care in their own homes, intermediate care beds and in clinics. Please do not hesitate to get in contact to find out more about this Post and our service.

Working for CNWL

We are passionate about delivering first‑class patient‑centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patient’s own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people. We are always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee we are hoping to find our future leaders and we will support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career. With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more whatever stage of your career you’re at, there’s always a place for you at CNWL.

Job responsibilities

• To be responsible for the provision of a comprehensive, effective, highly specialist speech and language therapy service to people with a diverse range of diagnoses presenting with communication and/or swallowing difficulties living in the community of Hillingdon.

The service will be delivered in line with current trends and will meet the changing needs of this population in their own homes. Patients may be seen in a variety of settings, including their own homes, intermediate care beds and residential/nursing homes. The post holder may also be required to contribute to clinic services on occasions where there is a service need.

The caseload is comprised of people who have a wide variety of neurological problems affecting their communication and swallowing, including stroke, dementia and other progressive conditions.

Caseloads also include patients with non‑neurological difficulties e.g. COPD, Post Cancer treatment, Frailty, Palliative diagnosis etc. Community visits to patients are largely made via independent car driving.

Person Specification

Experience

• Extensive and recent SLT experience at least at a Band 6 level, equivalent in adult acute / community settings especially rehabilitation, neurology and the management of complex dysphagia, Experience in working within the NHS
• Carrying out evidence based audit and research projects
• Working in multidisciplinary/multiagency teams
• Working in the community
• Delivering specialist training to a range of audiences
• Supervision / Leadership of Speech and Language Therapists, students/support workers

Education / Qualifications

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree
• Registered with the Health Professions Council as a Speech and Language Therapist
• Successful completion of advanced practitioner post‑graduate study relevant to field (e.g. As a minimum, RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Framework Level C - Specialist level dysphagia practitioner or equivalent, counselling, leadership, aphasia, palliative care)
• Successful completion of highly specialist/expert short courses relevant to field (e.g. Mental Capacity Assessment, EMST, LSVT, Progressive Neurological disorders, AAC, Palliative care / EDAR, Videofluoroscopy, Aphasia)
• Membership of, and active participation in, relevant Clinical Excellence Networks, e.g. CEN Community, Dysphagia, Supervision and appraisal methods
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

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.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

£53,751 to £60,651 a year per annum incl HCAS (pro rata if part time)