Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Taunton, Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Flexible working

Generous annual leave

Career development

Regular CPD

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to assess and treat adults with learning disabilities who have communication and/or dysphagia needs. The role involves developing personalised care plans and delivering evidence-based therapy across homes, clinics, and community settings.

The post requires HCPC registration and a SLT degree, with travel across Somerset to service users.

Qualifications

• SLT degree required and HCPC registration.
• Experience in communication assessment and intervention planning.
• Dysphagia assessment and intervention planning.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist SLT assessment, diagnosis and intervention for adults with learning disabilities with communication and/or dysphagia needs.
• Develop person-centred care plans and deliver therapy across various communication environments.
• Assess and manage dysphagia including safe swallowing strategies and textures.

Skills

Commitment to person-centred practice

Partnership working

Patient outcomes focus

Education

Speech and Language Therapy degree

Tools

HCPC registration

Job description

This Specialist Speech and Language Therapist post sits within the Somerset Community Team for Adults with Learning Disabilities at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The work centres on assessing and treating communication needs and swallowing difficulties in adults with learning disabilities, with regular dysphagia training for carers and professionals. Work takes place in homes, community settings and clinics across Somerset, alongside multidisciplinary colleagues. Fit depends on HCPC registration, an SLT degree and a full driving licence with a car available for work.

What the job involves

• Provide specialist SLT assessment, diagnosis and intervention for adults with learning disabilities who have communication and/or dysphagia needs
• Develop person-centred care plans and deliver evidence-based therapy across a range of communication environments
• Assess and manage dysphagia, advising on safe swallowing strategies, appropriate textures and fluids, and the safety of oral intake
• Apply the Mental Capacity Act in all assessment, planning and intervention
• Involve service users, families, carers and wider professionals in the therapy process
• Deliver dysphagia and communication training to carers, staff teams and other professionals
• Take part in MDT assessments, reviews, case conferences and decision making
• Write clear, evidence-based reports and maintain accurate records in line with HCPC, RCSLT and Trust standards, using the Trust's electronic record systems
• Evaluate therapy outcomes, adjust intervention plans and discharge or refer on as appropriate
• Travel across Somerset to see service users in homes, community settings and clinics
• Attend video fluoroscopy clinics where required
• Support student SLTs through supervision where appropriate

Qualifications

• Speech and Language Therapy degree

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration

Experience

• Communication assessment and intervention planning
• Dysphagia assessment and intervention planning
• Managing a clinical caseload

Skills & knowledge

• Commitment to person-centred practice
• Strong partnership working with service users, families, paid carers and professionals
• Passion for achieving positive outcomes

Checks & eligibility

• Full and valid driving licence
• Car available for work purposes

Nice to have

• Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities
• Experience delivering training

What’s offered

• Flexible working options
• NHS pension scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Strong focus on career development
• Regular protected CPD
• Blue Light Card discounts on shopping, dining and leisure
• NHS-specific perks