Speech and Language Therapist

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health trust is seeking a Speech Therapist to lead the provision of speech therapy to adults with long-term neurological conditions. This role involves complex clinical practice, coordination of services, and provides leadership within a supportive team environment. Applicants should be registered Speech and Language Therapists with experience in AAC and the ability to manage caseloads independently. The position offers opportunities for professional development and community involvement in care delivery.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in speech therapy for adults with long-term neurological conditions.
• Knowledge of AAC and evidence-based practices.
• Ability to provide support and supervision to team members.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate speech therapy service for adults with long-term neurological conditions.
• Lead and manage a clinical caseload.
• Ensure high-quality assessments and therapy.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Independent caseload management

Education

Registered Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Adult Speech Therapy team to lead on speech therapy provision for adults with a long‑term neurological condition. We are looking to recruit an innovative, well‑organised and suitably experienced therapist with an interest in long‑term conditions into this exciting post.

You will coordinate the Speech Therapy service to adults with a long‑term neurological condition living in Stockton and Hartlepool and provide a highly specialist service to adults with swallowing and communication difficulties within this clinical area. You will also take the lead for patients open to the service who are requiring and using AAC within the Stockton and Hartlepool area. This role is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to build on leadership skills whilst maintaining a specialist clinical caseload. We would welcome applications from registered Speech and Language Therapists currently working at band 7 level, or who are looking for an opportunity to develop their specialist skills in a band 6/7 development role.

Responsibilities

You will demonstrate highly developed skills in working with adults with communication and swallowing difficulties resulting from a long‑term neurological condition and will have well‑developed skills in independent caseload management, problem‑solving and decision making.

You will take the lead for supporting patients open to the service who are requiring AAC. This role will involve working with a busy clinical caseload, working as part of a team and as an independent practitioner. You will provide support and supervision to other SLT team members and SLT students working with patients with long‑term conditions, and/or patients who are using a communication aid. There will be opportunity to link with the relevant wider MDT services that work locally.

You will take responsibility for coordinating the speech therapy provision to adults with a long‑term neurological condition in the Stockton and Hartlepool area. You will provide highly specialist assessment, therapy, and advice to adults with swallowing and communication difficulties resulting from a long‑term neurological condition. You will also be available to provide input within other clinical areas, for example cover within acute and community settings, as required within the team, and develop a highly specialist role in this area, including linking with wider, local MDT services, and supporting Speech and Language Therapists and assistants working in this clinical area.

You will have a working knowledge of AAC and be able to coordinate the use of, and requests for specialist AAC within the team, and be able to provide supervision to SLTs in the team regarding this.

You will have an awareness of the national guidance and policies within this clinical area. You will be responsible for developing and monitoring the evidence‑based pathway for long‑term neurological conditions, and will support other staff to manage clients effectively using evidence‑based practice. You will contribute to quality, service improvement and team development projects.

Excellent speech and language therapy support is provided within the department, with regular staff meetings, peer supervision groups and a strong commitment to continued professional development. The Trust is keen to support research.

This role requires community working, and therefore the ability to travel between venues in a short timescale is essential.

Professional Development & Quality

Excellent speech and language therapy support is provided within the department, with regular staff meetings, peer supervision groups and a strong commitment to continued professional development. The Trust is keen to support research.

Contact & Application

We would welcome informal visits to find out more about us and the role. To find out more or to arrange an informal visit please contact Catherine Walker, Operational Lead for Adult Speech and Language Therapy on 01429 522471.

Please be aware: Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure, References and Probation

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS): All successful candidates who are new to the Trust and require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The expense will be deducted from your first month’s pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBS check will be undertaken during the pre‑employment check screening.

Employment References: All applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years of employment history, including any gaps. Email addresses for all referees must be included on the application. Personal references are not acceptable.

Probation: All new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6‑month probationary period. Internal applicants and individuals appointed to fixed‑term appointments of less than 6 months are exempt from the probationary period unless they are currently part‑way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff.

Working Hours & Sponsorship

If the advertised hours are up to full‑time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full‑time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Trust Information

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust now form University Hospitals Tees and, as such, you may be required to work at any site across both Trusts.

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, we want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well‑being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We recruit for values and "Together we are North Tees & Hartlepool". Armed Forces Covenant - As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces and their families are treated fairly. We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.