Senior Speech and Language Therapist - Rotational

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; London; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A major teaching hospital in London is seeking a Senior Speech and Language Therapist to join their acute team, focusing on adult inpatients. The role includes assessment, diagnosis, and management of communication disorders, as well as collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. Ideal candidates should have a relevant degree, registration with the Health Professions Council, and experience with adult neurological disorders. A supportive work environment with training opportunities is offered.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Multidisciplinary team support

Qualifications

• Postholder will manage an autonomous caseload including assessment and therapy for adults with communication and swallowing disorders.
• Experience supervising students and junior staff is desirable.
• Postgraduate training in communication disorders is required.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose and manage patients with acquired communication disorders.
• Provide clinical support and advice to junior therapists.
• Participate in research and quality control initiatives.

Skills

Established experience with adult acquired and neurological disorders

Excellent written and spoken communication skills

Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Strong observational and analytical skills

Ability to manage autonomous caseload

Education

BSc or recognized postgraduate MSc or diploma in Speech and Language Therapy

Registration with the Health Professions Council

Member of RCSLT

Job description

Overview

Senior Speech and Language Therapist - Rotational

The closing date is 23 September 2025

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a large and busy teaching hospital across multiple sites with a strong profile of local and specialist services. Based within the Therapies team, the Speech & Language Therapy department has over 40 staff providing inpatient and outpatient services across a wide range of specialities across our 3 main sites. We are looking for a skilled and confident clinician to join our acute Speech and Language Therapy team at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH). This is a rotational role within the Speech and Language Therapy team covering adult inpatients. It is an excellent opportunity to develop clinical skills with a varied and rapidly changing caseload.

The PRUH Speech and Language Therapy team works closely with the SLTs on all King's sites and the wider multidisciplinary teams. Led by the Head of Speech & Language Therapy and a Band 8A Clinical Lead, the service offers an established supervision system, including action learning groups, plus opportunities for learning and participation in both self and service development.

Main duties of the job

The acute rotations on the PRUH site will include cover to the following areas:

• Medicine
• Stroke
• Respiratory, Surgery & ITU
• Neurological Rehabilitation

The post holder will provide Speech and Language Therapy services across a range of wards and specialities, remaining within each clinical speciality for 9 months to develop specialist clinical and management skills within adult acute acquired disorders. Line management will be provided by the relevant senior therapist depending on the rotation.

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff across South East London. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach reflects our Vision to be Bold, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King\'s to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and seek individuals ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

Note: King\'s is committed to Sustainable Healthcare via our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone\'s contribution is required to meet these goals and we encourage all staff to minimise carbon emissions, waste, and pollution.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

1. To manage an autonomous caseload on the acute wards, including assessment, differential diagnosis, and specialist SLT management for patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders, following KCH SLT evidence-based guidelines and service standards.
2. To assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients with tracheostomies in a critical care setting and on the general wards in accordance with KCH multidisciplinary Tracheostomy Trust Guidelines and provide feedback for the tracheostomy ward round weekly as required.
3. To identify barriers to effective communication within the environment and implement feasible solutions.
4. To introduce low and high-tech communication aids as appropriate and train patients, families, and staff; refer to the Bowley Close communication aid service when needed.
5. To coordinate and promote communication developments under the guidance of a senior therapist (e.g., Mental Capacity Act issues, developing and delivering training, advising on environmental changes).
6. To maintain and develop AAC techniques and equipment across the team.
7. To discuss, advise and plan appropriate patient goals with clients, carers and the multidisciplinary teams.
8. To act as a key worker where appropriate.
9. To provide complex and sensitive clinical information to patients and carers in clear, accessible and empathetic formats (written and verbal).
10. To work as part of the multidisciplinary team, negotiating therapy packages, length of stay and discharge arrangements.
11. To attend ward rounds and MDT meetings as appropriate.
12. To liaise regularly with relevant hospital and community therapy teams.
13. To liaise with other agencies to ensure appropriate follow up and care arrangements for patients.
14. To contribute to the Videofluoroscopy Clinic at Kings College Hospital, providing general organisational cover where necessary.
15. To develop and deliver training regarding communication and swallowing to carers, relatives and staff.

Administrative Responsibilities

1. To maintain full, accurate and contemporaneous records within EPR.
2. To provide timely and accurate reports including transfer and discharge reports.
3. To prepare for and participate in an annual job appraisal including a 6-monthly review with the SLT acute clinical lead.
4. To attend Kings College Hospital Speech and Language Therapy team meetings.
5. To provide full, accurate and timely statistical data.

Leadership

1. To provide clinical support and advice to junior therapists within the team.

Education and Training

1. To participate in nurse dysphagia screen training programme run by the SLT department.
2. To take part in clinical training for SLT students as agreed, including preparation for and participation in practical exams.
3. To participate in the SLT Department in-service training programme.
4. To pursue an active programme of continuing professional development including feedback to the team on courses or conferences attended.

Governance / Quality Control

1. To maintain an active programme of continuing professional development, including feedback to colleagues on courses or conferences attended.
2. To make recommendations on service development and governance.
3. To be an active member of relevant special interest groups.
4. To participate regularly in evaluating the effectiveness of intervention and models of service delivery, keeping up to date with clinical practice and research.
5. To undertake departmental audit projects and contribute to departmental research where appropriate.

Research and Service Development

1. To participate in relevant audit activity within Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
2. To participate in research initiatives in the relevant area.
3. To publish and disseminate information resulting from research and audit activity.

People Management and Performance

1. Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices, recognising excellence and addressing underperformance.
2. Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings with clear objectives and development plans.
3. Ensure the team complies with statutory and mandatory training and professional requirements.
4. Manage team absences including sickness, with appropriate return-to-work discussions and updated rosters.
5. Identify and fill vacancies in line with the Trust recruitment policy and process.
6. Identify talent and support internal talent management, succession planning and resource optimization.
7. Review skills mix to maximise resource utilization and ensure up-to-date job descriptions.
8. Support the wellbeing of the team and foster a zero-tolerance culture for bullying and harassment.

General

The post holder has a duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of colleagues, visitors and patients, along with risk management and governance responsibilities associated with this post.

• To observe rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Trust and all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• To model the Kings Values as part of a kind and respectful team.
• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To take responsibility for personal development and contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is a guide to duties and may be revised in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an NHS.net email account for Trust communications.

Safe Guarding

The Trust takes Safeguarding seriously. Staff must attend mandatory safeguarding training, follow reporting processes, and report any safeguarding concerns appropriately.

• Attending mandatory safeguarding training for children and adults
• Familiarising with Trust reporting processes
• Reporting safeguarding concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

The post holder contributes to infection control and must follow infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements in clinical areas. Adherence to national and local policies is required and will be covered in induction and refresher training.

Person Specification

Qualification

• BSc or recognised postgraduate MSc or diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registration with the Health Professions Council
• Postgraduate training in communication disorders and aphasia therapy
• Member of RCSLT
• Supervision Course

Knowledge & Experience

• Established experience with adult acquired and neurological disorders in an acute setting, managing own caseload using a range of assessment and therapy techniques
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Up-to-date knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act
• Involvement with audit/research
• Experience with instrumental assessment (VF/FEES)
• Experience in a rehab setting
• Experience supervising students and junior staff
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills for sensitive and complex information
• Collaborative and consultative approach within MDT work
• Good presentation and teaching skills and ability to develop training materials
• Strong observational and analytical skills in assessment
• Ability to plan and implement treatment plans
• Ability to manage autonomous caseload and liaise across teams
• Ability to lead relevant projects and demonstrate motivation and flexibility
• Flexible working patterns including possible 7-day service
• Good auditory and perceptual skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to DBS checks under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. A disclosure check will be submitted as part of the recruitment process.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £44,485 to £52,521 per annum, including HCA