Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust; Eastbourne; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier health service provider in Eastbourne is seeking a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join their dynamic team. The ideal candidate will manage swallowing difficulties and develop leadership skills in a community setting. Responsibilities include working with specialist SLTs, engaging in innovative projects, and contributing to student education. The role offers opportunities for professional growth with competitive compensation between £38,682 and £46,580 per annum.

Benefits

Protected CPD Time

Innovative Learning opportunities

Collaborative Team environment

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist eager to specialise in managing swallowing difficulties.
• Completion of specialist short courses in communication disorders/AAC.
• Dysphagia trained, meeting the specialist RCSLT dysphagia competency framework.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside highly specialist SLTs and assistants in community services.
• Contribute to service improvement and innovative research projects.
• Engage in student education through partnerships with higher education institutions.

Skills

Knowledge of therapeutic interventions

Excellent interpersonal skills

Good organisational and time management skills

Good presentation skills

Negotiation and problem-solving skills

Good IT skills

Education

Speech and Language Therapy Degree

Health Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice

Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Remote working will be considered. Some attendance at the base is required for meetings and training as a minimum.

Are you a qualified Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) eager to specialise in managing swallowing difficulties and developing your leadership skills in a community setting? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our dynamic East Sussex SLT service. This position is available as a Band 6/Band 6 Development post.

Job summary

Band 6/Development Band 6 Community.

Remote working will be considered. Some attendance at the base is required for meetings and training as a minimum.

Why Join Us?

• Protected CPD Time: Enjoy dedicated time for CPD with monthly clinical forums, regular supervision, and access to external training and CENs.
• Innovative Learning: Participate in initiatives in rehabilitation utilising cutting‑edge tools like IOPI, Ampcare and EMST.
• Integrated Service: Become part of a county‑wide SLT service, offering opportunities to work across both acute and community settings.
• Collaborative Team: Be part of an interdisciplinary team dedicated to high‑quality patient care and professional growth.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist who has completed their NQP competencies (ideally with post‑basic dysphagia training) and is looking for their next step. This role will allow you to:

• Work alongside highly specialist SLTs and assistants in community services, including rehabilitation, voice, head & neck cancer, stroke, critical care, and neurological degenerative conditions.
• Gain experience in MDT working and rehabilitation across various clinical settings.
• Contribute to service improvement and innovative research projects, with time set aside in your job plan for development and collaboration.
• Engage in student education through our partnerships with higher education institutions, including pioneering virtual clinics using 360 cameras.

About us

We are proud to provide 'Outstanding' care and be a great place to work.

We provide safe, compassionate and high quality care to half a million people living or visiting East Sussex. We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex, the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. Our extensive services are provided by 7000+ members of staff working from acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites and in people's own homes.

In 2020 the Care Quality Commission rated us as 'Good' overall, and 'Outstanding' for being caring and effective. The Conquest Hospital and our Community Services are rated 'Outstanding'. Eastbourne DGH rated 'Good'.

In 2020, the Trust launched its ambitious 'Building for our Future' programme. This once in a lifetime programme aims to repair, redevelop and expand our hospitals, transforming the environment in which we provide care for generations to come.

We offer a comprehensive in‑service education program, supported by close links with the University of Brighton and other academic institutions.

Progressive Environment: We actively promote staff development through postgraduate courses, CENs, and in‑house clinical forums.

Join our award‑winning team and take the next step in your SLT career in a supportive, innovative, and collaborative environment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group)
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
• Awareness of the wider context of the NHS within specialist clinical field
• Knowledge of record keeping standards
• Evidence of CPD in previous year
• Knowledge of client centre practice
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Good presentation skills both written and verbal
• Negotiation and problem‑solving skills
• The ability to verbalise the clinical reasoning process in the management of routine cases
• Motivated to work flexibly with an inter‑professional framework
• Evidence of initiative and ability to use own initiative within boundaries of role
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to implement and respond to change
• Ability to work alone when required
• Good IT skills

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience at undergraduate/post graduate level
• To have worked under the supervision of a clinical specialist
• Experience of client centred goals
• Experience of training other professionals
• Experience of MDT/Inter‑professional working

Desirable

• Experience of working within a community setting
• Experience of mentoring students/assistants
• Experience of working virtually with patients
• Experience of using systmone electronic patient system

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Completion of specialist short courses in communication disorders/AAC
• Dysphagia trained, meeting the specialist RCSLT dysphagia competency framework to work independently

Desirable

• Lee Silverman Therapy
• Speak Out! Training

Other

Essential

• Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
• To be able to move between locations in a cost effective and timely manner
• Reliable work record

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Centenary House

Eastbourne

BN21 3XY

Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Head of Service - Speech and Language Therapy

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearper annum, pro rata