Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Transformation Unit; Margate; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation policy

Free parking

Flexible working

Supportive team

Job summary

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 6) in Margate. The role focuses on acute services with a clinical caseload and opportunities to supervise junior staff. The post is based at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital with cross-site duties as needed.

We offer permanent contracts with full-time and part-time hours, and a competitive NHS salary. Applications close 23/11/2026.

Qualifications

• Hold a diploma/degree in Speech and Language Therapy with HCPC registration.
• Evidence of completion of post graduate RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies/ or equivalent.
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
• Competencies in videofluoroscopy, FEES, tracheostomy or critical care.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a busy caseload of adults with communication and swallowing disorders.
• Provide specialist assessment and treatment for dysphagia in acute hospital settings.
• Supervise and train junior team members and students.
• Be prepared to work across-site to support the wider SLT team.

Skills

Independent dysphagia practice

Interpersonal skills

Flexible and adaptable

Team collaboration

Education

Speech and Language Therapy degree

HCPC registration

RCSLT Dysphagia competencies

RCSLT membership

Job description

Main area Speech and Language Therapy Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (We are offering 1x 37.5 hours (full time) position and 1x 30 hours (part time) position) Job ref 344-3720DBH

Employer East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital Town Margate Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 23/11/2026 23:59

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Band 6

Job overview

Would you like to join our friendly and dynamic team of SLTs in Margate? We are looking for an energetic, self-motivated Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) for a permanent opportunity working in Acute Services at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Hospital.

Our Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team is passionate about supporting individuals with communication and swallowing in the acute hospital setting. Our team vision is:

- To proactively and consistently offer high quality, responsive, person-centred care and intervention
- To ensure every patient feels cared for, supported and empowered
- To maximise quality of life by enabling each patient to optimise their communication, swallowing function and well-being

We are looking for like-minded SLTs to join our growing team! If you are enthusiastic, dynamic and motivated, then we would love you to come and join us at East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust!

We are offering 1x 37.5 hours (full time) position and 1x 30 hours (part time) position

Main duties of the job

The desired candidate will work closely with members of the multidisciplinary team to deliver patient-centred care to individuals with communication and swallowing difficulties associated with acute illness. The desired candidate has specialist skills or is working towards obtaining these and is responsible for managing a clinical caseload of patients and maintaining accurate records of work. As a specialist SLT, you will assist in the supervision and training of more junior team members and students. This post is based at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital but the successful post-holder will be prepared to work across-site to support the needs of the wider SLT team.

As part of the role, we are pleased to be able to offer varied clinical opportunities across all three sites, quality improvement projects and highly skilled supervision and mentoring.

Working for our organisation

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 695,000 people.

Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: ‘People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’.

We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called ‘We care’. It’s about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We’re looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.

Person specification

Qualifications and training

• Hold a diploma/degree in Speech and Language Therapy with appropriate HCPC registration
• Evidence of completion of post graduate RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies/or equivalent
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
• Competencies in videofluoroscopy, FEES, tracheostomy or critical care

Knowledge

• Broad knowledge of a range of relevant assessment tools (acquired communication and swallowing disorders).
• Knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to acute setting).
• Evidence based knowledge of a wide variety of treatment techniques and strategies relevant adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
• Awareness of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to role).

Personal/professional attributes

• Ability to work under pressure
• Flexible and adaptable

Clinical skills and experience

• Independently able to manage a busy caseload.
• Independent in the field of dysphagia
• Experience of working with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
• Experience of delivering training.
• Excellent interpersonal and counselling skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills.
• Highly developed negotiating and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills.
• Specialist skills in the assessment and treatment of complex communication difficulties.
• Skills in specialist dysphagia management.
• High levels of verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to be a good team player.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
• Ability to manage difficult, complex situations and seek support if necessary.
• Basic IT skills.
• Experience of working within an acute hospital setting
• Membership at relevant CENs

Other requirements

• Awareness of Trust Vision, Mission and Values
• Able to travel between sites
• Ability to work flexibly to support the needs of the service

There are lots of great opportunities at East Kent Hospitals, where staff are caring and put patients first, innovation flourishes and you can develop your career. We’re on an exciting journey of transformation. With a local Medical School at the centre of our community, a focus on research, clinical leadership and making our trust a rewarding and friendly place to work,
there’s never been a better time to join us. To find out more about east Kent visit our website . The Trust fully supports the SAS Doctors Charter and is committed to their development through its CPD Framework.

We have a relocation policy for eligible candidates, parking available at Trust sites but we encourage other options, like car sharing or public transport.

The Trust is committed to supporting flexible working to fulfil our pledge as part of The Trust’s People Strategy to help staff to achieve a healthy work/life balance. Please speak with your Recruiting Manager for further information on how this can be managed alongside department expectations and requirements.

The ability to converse easily and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for all customer facing roles.

Most positions require a Disclosure and Barring check and will be exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Posts working regularly or unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults require an enhanced check.

Applicants for eligible roles requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship must meet UK Visas and Immigration eligibility criteria.

We operate a no-smoking policy on all our sites and grounds.

If you are applying via NHS Jobs your application will be sent to our recruitment system TRAC. All subsequent information will be generated from TRAC so you won’t be able to see the progress of your application or receive messages through NHS Jobs and we won’t be able to respond to e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to us transferring your application and details to our system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records. Good luck with your application, we’ll contact you via email so please check your junk/spam folders.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Brenna Fossey Job title Head of Service Adult Speech and Language Therapy Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01233 616623