Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Community

NHS; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service provider is looking for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Gloucester. This full-time role involves providing comprehensive therapy and assessment services for adults with communication disorders in various settings. The ideal candidate should have relevant qualifications, membership in professional councils, and significant experience in the field. This position offers a supportive work environment and the chance for professional development alongside a friendly team.

Qualifications

• Recognised degree level qualification in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Experience managing patients with acquired communication disorders.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and treatment for communication disorders.
• Manage clinical workload and supervise assistants.
• Participate in service improvement projects.

Skills

Differential diagnosis

Clinical interventions

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Membership in RCSLT

Membership in HCPC

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Go back Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Community

The closing date is 08 February 2026

This role is offered on a permanent basis. The hours are full-time, 37.5 hours per week.

We are excited to invite a highly motivated Speech and Language Therapist looking for a new challenge to join our speech and language therapy team here in Gloucestershire.

Now is an exciting time to join us as we further develop our FEES, Tracheostomy and Videofluoroscopy services and training pathways.

We have sessions available in our outpatient and community services, offering you the opportunity to work with a range of service users across Gloucestershire.

We are a friendly, dynamic team with a strong focus on quality service delivery. Our Band 6s have regular supervision including peer supervision sessions, and opportunities to develop skills including those in FEES, VFS, and tracheostomy.

The post is suitable for an established Band 6 therapist, or an experienced band 5 Therapist with a passion to develop and use their competencies. We welcome applicants who wish to discuss part‑time, flexible working patterns.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults in Gloucestershire, including patients with acquired communication, voice and swallowing disorders. Work across a wide range of settings: community hospitals, outpatient clinic, patients’ own home or care home.
• Manage and prioritise own clinical workload, seeking guidance from team leads as required.
• Supervise Speech and Language Therapy assistants or newly qualified SLTs.
• Work autonomously within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) policies and professional practice, maintaining accurate and comprehensive electronic records.
• Participate in service improvement projects as indicated.
• Provide specialist differential diagnosis, clinical advice and care plans/therapy to clients with communication/swallowing difficulties, implementing specialist programmes where appropriate.
• Provide advice and second opinions to SLT colleagues when necessary to support the clinical management of patients.
• Assess and analyse type, severity and impact of complex conditions of speech, language, communication and swallowing impairments in a wide range of adult patients, through specific formal and informal assessments.
• Provide advice and second opinions when necessary to support the clinical management of clients within multi‑disciplinary team decision making with patients and their significant others.
• Demonstrate clear communication skills when presenting specialist clinical information in both verbal and written formats when dealing with sensitive situations such as end of life.
• Monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness using evidence‑based practice and outcome measures, maintaining accurate case notes in line with RCSLT Professional Standards, GHC Trust Policy and departmental guidelines.
• Adhere to and maintain standards and guidelines recommended by the RCSLT and the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) codes of conduct and practice.
• Attend relevant training and development to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a specialist therapist, including regular supervision and annual personal development planning.
• Prescribe augmentative and alternative methods of communication, provide support, advice and training to clients, carers and professionals.
• Refer patients to other services and agencies and liaise with voluntary organisations.
• Negotiate with patients/carers/ significant others around individual case management, ensuring patient involvement in clinical outcomes.
• Manage communication breakdown/conflict in complex cases, and provide clinical and line management supervision to colleagues.

Qualifications and experience

• Recognised Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists degree level qualification.
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
• Member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Experience managing patients with communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of acquired disorders.
• Experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to identify own professional development needs and develop a professional portfolio, including specific objectives.
• Specialist skills in differential diagnosis and targeted clinical interventions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including facilitation of communication barriers.
• Ability to manage own complex caseload effectively.
• Negotiation and conflict management skills.
• Experience presenting to wide audiences.
• Baseline knowledge of counselling for specialist area.
• Strong knowledge of formal and informal assessment methods and their interpretation.
• Approachable, flexible, good communication (written and verbal), effective time management, ability to work under pressure, team player, knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work flexibly across the Trust and participate in video consultations.
• Ability to attend mandatory statutory training events and travel around the county independently and efficiently.

About us

We have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues working in a diverse range of services over 55 sites and within people's homes. We strive to enable a welcoming workplace culture that builds and celebrates civility, inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust. In the staff survey, 61% of colleagues gave us their views. 72% would recommend the Trust as a place to work, ranking us 1st in the South West region. 76% would recommend the standard of care provided. 81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust's priority.

Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before submitting

The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum (pro rata)