Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Neurorehabilitation

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust; Rochdale, Salford; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in England is looking for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to support patients in Neurorehabilitation. This role involves managing complex communication disorders, leading service development projects, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. Applicants should have significant clinical experience, particularly in dysphagia management and working with patients on the PDOC spectrum. The position offers an excellent opportunity for professional development within a supportive and innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a relevant field post-registration, including 1 year at a specialist level within adult neurology.
• Experience in assessment and management of complex swallowing and communication disorders.
• Experience working in the NHS.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate management of complex communication disorders.
• Support the Senior management team with service development projects.
• Provide highly specialist evidence-based input in Neurorehabilitation.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Team leadership

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in Speech & Language Therapy

Completion of post-basic training in dysphagia

Completion of RCSLT tracheostomy competencies

Job description

Go back Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Neurorehabilitation

The closing date is 04 January 2026

We are seeking a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who is passionate about Neurorehabilitation (NR) for a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment. Applicants with relevant clinical experience seeking opportunity of a more senior role may also be considered. The post holder will gain excellent clinical expertise and leadership skills across the neuro rehab pathway working with our specialist teams and support patients accessing the Level 1 units in Salford, and Level 2 unit in Rochdale (Floyd Unit). Site base will be dependent on skills and experience of successful applicant.

Applicants must have established skills in management of dysphagia, acquired communication disorders, and experience of working with patients with tracheostomy. Complex neuro presentations include patients on the ‘Prolonged Disorder of Consciousness’ (PDOC) spectrum and ‘Cognitive Communication Disorder’ (CCD).

You will be joining a dynamic and friendly MDT and will also be part of the larger Neuro Rehab SLT service. We are a team that pursues innovation, and support CPD and research opportunities. Examples of previous pilots and collaborations include Phagenyx, Music therapy, collaboration with Ace Centre and the ongoing Facial Rehab Pathway Project work with the ‘Greater Manchester Neurorehabilitation and Integrated Stroke Delivery Network’ (GMNISDN).

Informal visits and enquiries are welcome.

Main duties of the job

To join our Neurorehabilitation service on a Fixed Term/secondment basis and support the limited band 7 rotation covering our Level 1 units at Salford (C2 and L1) and Level 2 unit (Floyd Unit) in Rochdale. Site base will be dependent on skills and experience of successful applicant.

-To provide highly specialist evidenced based input to the provision and development of Speech and Language Therapy in NR.

- To lead on and coordinate management of complex communication disorders within this caseload, including patients with; tracheostomy, ‘prolonged disorders of consciousness’ (PDOC), ‘locked in syndrome’ and ‘cognitive communication disorder’.

-To lead on and coordinate management of complex dysphagia within this caseload, including patients with tracheostomy.

- dependent on existing skills you may have opportunity to join the Salford VFS and FEES rota and will be required to support the mobile FEES service for INRU within MCCN.

-You will support the Senior management team with service development projects for Neurorehabilitation and in line with the Greater Manchester transformation project. Networking with other Neurorehabilitation services and the Greater Manchester Network will be part of your role.

There may be opportunity to join Salford VFS and FEES rota, and support of the mobile FEES service for the Level 2 units within MCCN, dependent on existing skill.

About us

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire to join our team.

Learn more about us in our Candidate Information Pack (opens in existing window)

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

Person Specification

Professional Registration

• HCPC Registration
• RCSLT membership

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
• Completion of post basic training in dysphagia
• Completion of RCSLT tracheostomy competencies
• A Member of Neurological/ Rehab CEN
• MSc or advanced qualification relevant to communication and or swallowing disorders or demonstrates commitment to work towards this level
• Evidence of successful completion of highly specialist relevant short courses
• Training in SLT student clinical supervision
• Completion of video fluoroscopy competencies
• Completion of FEES competencies
• Competencies in PDOC assessment
• Basic counselling

Knowledge and Training

• Experience working in the NHS
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a relevant field post-registration, including 1 year at a specialist level within adult neurology
• Experience of working within a neuro or rehab MDT
• Experience in assessment and management of complex swallowing and communication disorders including; patients with tracheostomy, on the PDOC spectrum and CCD
• Experience in setting patient centred goals
• Experience in supporting and leading capacity assessments and being involved in the best interest process
• Experience in working with patients with mental health issues
• Experience in working with patients with challenging behaviour

Skills and Abilities

• Willingness to work across sites; to support rotation and development of NR across MCCN
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Excellent presentation skills (written and verbal)
• Experience in leading a small team.
• Experience in leading a small project.
• An interest and willingness to lead or participate in research

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.

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust