Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Willesden; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Regular supervision

CPD opportunities

Research and quality improvement

Job summary

Central London Community Healthcare is seeking a part-time Speech and Language Therapist to cover domiciliary and outpatient assessments for adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders. The role focuses on complex, neurological cases and involves leading triage for new referrals within a supportive community team.

HCPC registration and dysphagia competence are essential, with regular supervision and collaboration across multidisciplinary colleagues.

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree (or equivalent).
• Dysphagia competence required.
• HCPC registration (or eligible) and registration with the relevant body.

Responsibilities

• Carry out domiciliary and outpatient assessment and intervention for adults with acquired communication and/or swallowing impairments.
• Manage a highly complex, mainly neurological caseload independently and make clinical decisions.
• Lead SLT triage for new referrals and contribute to service development through audits and research.
• Develop and deliver evidence-based SLT programmes and evaluate outcomes.
• Support junior staff and SLT students; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Communication skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Analytical skills

Empathy

Education

SLT degree

Dysphagia competence

Job description

A newly established part-time post in the Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy team serving Brent, employed by Central London Community Healthcare. The work covers specialist domiciliary and outpatient assessment and treatment for adults with acquired communication or swallowing impairments, with a focus on people in community care homes. The caseload is mainly neurological and complex, and the post-holder leads SLT triage for new referrals and receives regular supervision. HCPC registration and dysphagia competence are required.

What the job involves

• Carry out domiciliary and outpatient assessment, management and intervention for adults with acquired communication and/or swallowing impairments
• Manage a highly complex, mainly neurological caseload independently, making differential diagnosis and clinical management decisions
• Make complex management decisions where clinical indicators conflict
• Analyse auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of communication and identify strategies to improve effectiveness at home, at work and in other settings
• Develop and deliver evidence‑based specialist speech and language therapy programmes and evaluate clinical outcomes
• Use clinical judgement to spot deterioration in clients' health and report it promptly to the appropriate professionals
• Motivate clients and carers to engage in the therapeutic process
• Develop clear multidisciplinary clinical protocols based on best practice
• Use evidence‑based practice and outcome measures to demonstrate clinical effectiveness
• Take the lead on SLT triage for new referrals as required
• Contribute to service development through research, audits and quality improvement projects
• Support the development of junior colleagues and SLT students

What’s required

Qualifications

• Recognised speech and language therapy degree or equivalent
• Dysphagia competence

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration
• Registration with the relevant professional body

Experience

• Managing a own caseload of neurological and long‑term conditions
• Assessment and treatment of complex clients with speech, language, communication needs and dysphagia
• Working with carers and the multidisciplinary team
• Writing reports and maintaining case notes
• Delivering and evaluating training
• Clinical audit and reflective clinical practice

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions for neurological community clients with speech, language, communication and dysphagia needs
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy
• Good organisation and ability to prioritise own workload in a less predictable environment
• Ability to work as part of a team and remain calm under pressure
• Good analytical and reflective skills

Nice to have

• Registration with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Evidence of further study, such as a postgraduate degree or short courses relating to community settings
• Membership of a relevant CEN
• Experience of working in acute and community settings and in nursing homes
• LSVT training
• Experience of supervising junior staff
• Driving licence

What’s offered

• Competitive employment package
• Regular 1:1 and peer supervision, plus appraisal
• Internal and external continuing professional development opportunities
• Training and support for research, audit and quality improvement projects