Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Band 6 Fixed Term 12 months

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Colchester is seeking a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for a one-year fixed-term position. The role offers 22.5 hours per week, focused on working within the Inpatients Mental Health Team. Candidates should have experience on in-patients wards and be dysphagia trained. This opportunity allows for personal and professional development in a supportive environment with various benefits such as 27 days holiday and excellent pension contributions.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension of up to 14.5%

£8K relocation package if moving to Essex

Interest-free season ticket loans

Staff discounts and benefits

Qualifications

• Previous experience working on in-patients wards.
• Dysphagia trained.
• Experience working in a Mental Health setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex and specialist caseload independently.
• Assess clients referred for specialist Speech and Language Therapy.
• Utilise specialist assessments for complex cases.
• Develop clear care plans based on best practices.
• Provide specialist professional advice for patients with dementia or feeding difficulties.

Skills

Experience working on in-patients wards

Dysphagia trained

Experience in Mental Health setting

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Band 6 Fixed Term 12 months

The closing date is 14 October 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for a one year fixed term 22.5 hours Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly and committed team at EPUT working as part of our Inpatients Mental Health Team. This is a new team set up from the Time to Care funding working over a number of different in-patient units whilst also providing an out-reach service as and when required. Due to the nature of the team being very new you will have an opportunity of shaping this new and exciting service.

You will be supported with regular supervision from the Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist, you will have the opportunity of joining the monthly CPD sessions. The in-patient wards cover CAMHS, Adults and Older Adults over a number of different sites across the trust therefore giving a variety of experience.

You will work as part of an integrated team with Speech and Language therapist and Apprentice participating in multi-disciplinary work with colleagues in health, education and parents/carers.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties

1. To manage complex and specialist caseload independently. To manage and prioritise own workload and caseload independently.
2. To assess clients referred for specialist Speech and Language Therapy.
3. To utilise specialist assessments when presented with complex cases.
4. To undertake treatment planning, communicating and negotiating treatment plans and clinical reasoning for intervention with clients and their carers.
5. To develop clear care plans based on best practice.
6. To provide specialist professional advice regarding the management and care of patients with dementia &/or feeding and swallowing difficulties, where appropriate.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job responsibilities

1. To attend clinical case discussions at meetings or ward rounds.
2. To participate in clinical audit, research and evidence based practice.
3. To undertake day to day clinical prioritisation and work planning for small teams.
4. To identify clinical service needs and initiate projects, which could be developed in order to meet challenges.
5. To promote the roles and skills of Speech and Language Therapy to other professionals, students, clients and carers.
6. To contribute constructively to multi-disciplinary team working.

Person Specification

• Previous experience working on in-patients wards
• Dysphagia trained
• Experience working in Mental Health setting

Supervision/teaching

• Previous experience leading training sessions
• Previous experience supporting with preceptorship program

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.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a year, pro rata for part time