Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist (XR07)

NHS; Leeds; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization seeks a dynamic Band 7 Specialist Long Term Ventilation Speech and Language Therapist for a fixed-term part-time role in Leeds. You will manage a complex caseload and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate will have specialist knowledge in assessment and management of dysphagia and related communication difficulties. The position offers competitive pay and the opportunity for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience of managing complex dysphagia in children.
• Ability to coordinate service development.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage complex communication and swallowing breakdown.
• Provide second opinions to health professionals.
• Develop rehabilitation pathways for patients.

Skills

Assessment and management of feeding difficulties

Management of communication disorders

Interpersonal communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree

Health Professions Council license

Post Graduate training in Dysphagia

Job description

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a dynamic, motivated Band 7 Specialist Long Term Ventilation (LTV) Speech and Language Therapist (0.5 WTE) fixed term maternity cover capable of providing high quality input through Leeds Childrens Hospital. The post will provide an excellent opportunity to develop skills as a core member of the LTV MDT serving the population of Leeds and Yorkshire region. The post holder will work as part of the specialist LTV service providing continuation and development of the SLT service.

Expected Shortlisting Date

12/11/2025

Planned Interview Date

26/11/2025

Main duties of the job

To fulfil the role of Highly Specialist LTV SLT, you will have experience of working at an advanced level in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of Feeding and Swallowing difficulties from Neonates to Adolescents as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will be able to demonstrate highly developed skills in the assessment, treatment and management of complex dysphagia. This will include tracheostomy management and potential use of videofluoroscopy in conjunction with excellent inter-personal communication, organisational and team work skills and be able to show evidence of continued professional development.

You will carry a complex clinical caseload as well as helping coordinate service development, training, pre and post-operative assessments/treatments and transfer of care at local and regional level. You will be working closely with the LTV MDT, patients, families and relevant Health and Social Care teams ensuring compliance against clinical drivers.

About us

Come and join our team in Leeds and become part of The Leeds Way sharing our vision and values.

Our values

• Patient-centred
• Collaborative
• Fair
• Accountable
• Empowered

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest acute health providers in the UK and based in one of the fastest growing and vibrant cities in the north.

You will be joining a dynamic and motivated SLT team that cover the whole of the Leeds Childrens Hospital have the opportunity to work with paediatric in-patients across all medical specialities, which includes but is not limited to: neonatal, surgical, neurology, respiratory, ENT, gastroenterology, cardiac, general paediatrics, PICU/HDU and oncology.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Details

Date posted: 24 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-CHI-0448

Job locations

Leeds General Infirmary
Great George Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX

Job responsibilities

To assess, differentially diagnose and manage complex communication and swallowing breakdown relating to a wide range of conditions. Utilise highly specialist knowledge in line with local policies/protocols and professional guidelines. Provide specialist second opinions on request to other health and social care professionals. Build links with allied agencies across primary and secondary care improving local and regional care pathways across in/outpatient settings.

Diagnose, assess, treat and manage complex communication, swallowing, cognitive and emotional impairments. Ensure all patients have opportunities to improve their swallowing/communication function and decrease reliance on enteral feeds and communication aids.

Develop a rehabilitation care pathway focussing on education, enablement and empowerment of service users and their carers.

The post holder will:

• 3.1 Manage Highly Specialist caseloads ensuring their complex communication and swallowing needs are met safely
• 3.2 Provide seamless pathway of care with locality services ensuring equitable citywide provision.
• 3.3 Manage local and regional complex caseloads.
• 3.4 Plan, coordinate and deliver medical education and training programs for health/social staff, patients, care providers, regional SLTs and students
• 3.5 Act as patient advocate facilitating communication in order to secure compliance with Mental Capacity Act
• 3.6 Audit caseloads and provision to measure value of input across this care pathway and evaluate alternative models of provision
• 3.7 Optimise service provision by balancing provision between specialist Acute and Outpatient clinics

Person Specification Experience Essential

• Well established knowledge of RCSLT Professional and Clinical Guidelines/ policies both locally and nationally in the specialism as well as relevant national strategy and drivers.
• Assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of neonates and older children presenting with communication and/or feeding difficulties
• Evidence of highly specialist clinical expertise relevant to the specialism.
• Assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of communication and feeding disorders associated with tracheostomy including ventilator assisted patients in a paediatric setting.
• SLT experience post qualification with significant experience working in the LTV / critical care specialism.
• Experience in the provision of second opinions, advice and training to internal and external professional colleagues.
• Able to manage the emotional consequences of managing patients with a range of feeding and communication disorders.

Person Specification Experience Desirable

• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, including audit cycle, continuous quality improvement and user involvement.
• Experience in research/audit
• Line Management experience, supporting competencies and conducting appraisals
• Experience of working in Specialist MDTs and acting as a specialist SLT resource.
• Knowledge of AAC
• Competence and experience in conducting, interpreting and analysing VFSS to support diagnosis and management of patients presenting with complex paediatric dysphagia.

Skills & behaviours Essential

• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills. Active and empathetic listening/ counselling skills. Able to negotiate with client / carer and medical / AHP teams around individual case management
• Sensitive to the needs of others and has an awareness and responsiveness to other peoples feelings and needs.
• Values differences; regards people as individuals and appreciates value of diversity in the workplace
• Able to work as part of a team, co-operating to work together and in conjunction with others and willing to help and assist wherever possible and appropriate.
• Positive attitude to dealing with change; flexible and adaptable, willing to change and accept change and to explore new ways of doing things and approaches
• Able to work under pressure, dealing with peaks and troughs in workload.
• Ability to formulate independent clinical decisions following assessment giving clear advice, instruction and training to patients, carers and other professionals relating to complex communication and swallowing disorders

Skills & behaviours Desirable

• Good time management, organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Must be willing to participate in any relevant training identified to develop skills required to carry out duties

Qualifications Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree accredited by RCSLT
• Health Professions Council license to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Post Graduate training in and maintenance of: RCSLT Level C / Proficient Paediatric Dysphagia Training & Competency Framework
• Advanced level dysphagia training.

Qualifications Desirable

• EKSF / Appraisal training
• Advanced communication skills
• Post graduate training in VFSS
• FEES competencies

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

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS1 3EX

Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)