Specialist Stroke Speech and Language Therapist

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust; Margate; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit. You will manage a specialist caseload focusing on communication and swallowing disorders as patients progress in their recovery.

Working with the Highly Specialist Stroke SLT and Stroke Therapy Lead, you will deliver assessments, tailored rehabilitation, and training to the multidisciplinary team, ensuring patient-centred care and continuous

Qualifications

• Registered SLT with HCPC and ongoing professional development in stroke.
• Experience in dysphagia and post graduate swallowing qualification.
• PRINCE 2 or equivalent project management training.

Responsibilities

• Manage a specialist caseload of adult post-stroke patients with communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Deliver high-quality assessments and rehabilitation programmes tailored to individual patient needs.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to strengthen the Stroke pathway and service delivery.
• Provide expert advice and training to team members to improve patient outcomes.
• Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives for patient care.
• Support and empower therapy and nursing colleagues to maximise therapy opportunities.

Skills

Dysphagia expertise

Team leadership

Project management

Continuing education

Education

Registered SLT with HCPC

Postgraduate Dysphagia qualification

Postgraduate qualification in Dysphagia & swallow management

Health-related degree with Level 6 development

Prince 2 or equivalent PM training

Job description

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Stroke Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 10 November 2026

Are you a passionate Speech and Language Therapist looking to develop specialist skills within stroke rehabilitation? Do you want to be part of a dynamic, supportive multidisciplinary team that is dedicated to helping patients rebuild their lives after stroke?

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our dedicated Stroke Rehabilitation Team, working on our 15-bedded adult inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit.

This role offers the chance to make a real difference every day, supporting patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders as they progress through their recovery journey.

Main duties of the job

• Manage a specialist caseload of adult patients following stroke with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Deliver high-quality assessments, rehabilitation programmes and interventions tailored to individual patient needs.
• Work closely with the Highly Specialist Stroke Speech and Language Therapist and Stroke Therapy Lead to further develop and strengthen the Speech and Language Therapy service within the stroke pathway.
• Play a key role within the multidisciplinary team, collaborating with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, rehabilitation assistants and medical colleagues to deliver outstanding patient-centred care.
• Provide expert advice, guidance and training to members of the multidisciplinary team to enhance knowledge and improve patient outcomes.
• Contribute to service development projects and quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care and the rehabilitation environment.
• Support and empower rehabilitation assistants, therapy support workers and nursing colleagues to maximise therapy opportunities throughout the patient journey.
• Develop strong working relationships with external agencies and community services to ensure seamless transitions of care.

Please note, this vacancy does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship and therefore, we are unable to accept applications from candidates that cannot provide documentary evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom.

About us

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is currently undertaking a significant programme of transformation to align our community services to the new Neighbourhood Model of care delivery, there will be a period of consultation which may result in changes affecting some services, teams or roles. Depending on the area you are applying to work in, this could include potential changes to your role, work base, reporting arrangements, or terms and conditions of employment. Any changes would be subject to consultation and managed sensitively and in line with relevant employment processes. Please do contact the recruiting manager if you have any concerns about this so they can answer any questions you might have.

Rated 'Outstanding' by CQC, we deliver high-quality care that improves the health of our communities. We are looking for people who share our values:Compassionate, Aspirational, Responsive and Excellent.

We are proud to be an inclusive, welcoming organisation and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We use protected characteristic information for monitoring only and it is not seen by recruiting managers, except where applicants choose to be considered under our disability guaranteed interview scheme.

We know life outside work matters.As a flexible working-friendly organisation, we welcome conversations about arrangements that help you thrive while supporting excellent care for our patients.

Explore KCHFTcareer pathways

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.

Find out more about the community difference here.

Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered SLT with HCPC
• Experience in dysphagia, ongoing education in field, post grad swallowing qualification
• Post graduate qualification in Dysphagia and swallow management
• Health related degree and evidence of relevant post graduate development at Level 6
• Evidence of Specialist ongoing education relevant to Stroke
• PRINCE 2 or equivalent project management training
• Working towards masters level
• Management or supervisory or qualification or experience of study,
• PGCE or certificate in education

Experience

• Practical experience in managing health related projects/complex caseloads
• Supporting others (mentor / educator / supervisor ) experience
• Experience of leading and managing teams

Special Knowledge and Expertise

• Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance to relevant to care setting and its application across health care services
• Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice within the last 12 months

Ability to Manage

• Able to support the implementation of local and national agenda's for health under the guidance of the senior Practitioner
• A full, valid UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) and the ability to travel independently are essential for this role. Should you require workplace adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to supporting you to meet the mobility requirements of the role wherever possible.

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.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearpro rata, per annum