Speech and Language Therapist (Band 7) - Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability
Job Title: Speech and Language Therapist Band 7
Contract Type: 3 Vacancies
- One permanent, part-time role (0.6 FTE / 22.5 hours/week)
- One fixed-term 1-year contract, full-time role (1 FTE / 37.5 hours/week)
- One fixed-term 1-year contract, part-time role (0.6 FTE / 22.5 hours/week)
Salary range: £48,060 - £60,974 per annum FTE (dependent on experience/banding)
Location: Putney, Southwest London
Benefits:
- Free counselling and therapy sessions and other mental wellbeing support through our partner CIC Wellbeing
- Participate in free on-site wellbeing programs, including weekly yoga and monthly pottery club (the UK's only hospital with its own kiln)
- Financial support services such as low-interest loans and help with savings accounts through our partnership with London Capital Credit Union
- Join our wellbeing networks to connect with colleagues, including Pride, Women's, and Race Equality networks, as well as heritage events celebrating workforce diversity
- Free on-site parking (rare in London)
- Additional benefits: Cycle2Work scheme, tech purchase support, Blue Light Card discounts, and more
Note: To be eligible to apply, applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK; sponsorship cannot be provided.
Position Summary and About RHN
An exciting opportunity exists for 3 roles within our Speech and Language Team for Band 7 SLT. The post holder will deliver highly specialist speech and language therapy services, including assessment, complex differential diagnosis, interpretation, and management in areas such as neuro-disability and neuro-rehabilitation. This includes managing tracheostomy, Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness, and AAC. The RHN provides on-site FEES services and has access to external Videofluoroscopy clinics.
The post involves managing a delegated clinical caseload within the Brain Injury and Continuing Care Services, including units for neuro-behavioural rehabilitation, ventilator care, young disabled patients, Huntington's disease, and specialist nursing homes. The post holder will work as a key member of the interdisciplinary team, actively participating in assessments, goal setting, and intervention planning.
RHN is a leading national centre offering comprehensive adult services for people with complex neuro-disability, supported by a robust research and education program.
Main Objectives
- Provide a flexible, autonomous, highly specialist SLT service focusing on clinical specialisms and targeted interventions.
- Collaborate as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, contributing to care plans and goal setting.
- Communicate complex clinical information effectively to patients, families, and multidisciplinary team members, supporting decision-making.
- Identify personal development needs, reflect on practice, and seek supervision as needed.
- Supervise junior SLTs, SLT assistants, and students, and advise other healthcare staff and volunteers.
- Lead service development projects within the speech and language therapy and multidisciplinary teams.
- Contribute to RHN's objectives and strive for continuous improvement and efficiency.
- Apply highly specialist knowledge in clinical areas such as severe brain injury, disorders of consciousness, neurogenic dysphagia, tracheostomy management, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver a high-level specialist SLT service, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of adults with complex communication and swallowing disorders, using assistive technology and a person-centred approach.
- Manage a complex caseload independently, providing targeted interventions and evaluating outcomes.
- Make clinical decisions following assessments, including referrals for instrumental examinations such as FEES and videofluoroscopy.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team activities, contributing to care plans and leading where appropriate.
- Maintain high standards of clinical record-keeping in line with professional standards and policies.
- Employ strategies to manage challenging behaviours and provide support to patients and caregivers regarding complex needs.
- Provide clinical supervision and line management to less experienced staff and students.
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
- A recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent, HCPC registration, and membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
Desirable
- Membership of relevant special interest groups or CEN.
Experience
Essential
- Training in clinical supervision for SLT students and experience supervising junior colleagues.
- Experience in specialist assessment, diagnosis, and management of adults with communication and swallowing disorders, including referrals for instrumental assessments.
Desirable
- Ability to independently manage tracheostomy patients.
- Competent FEES assessor and Level 2 endoscopy competencies.
Application Process
Early application is encouraged as the post may close at any time. RHN values diversity and inclusivity; reasonable adjustments are available upon request. Candidates are encouraged to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and Influenza. We are committed to environmental sustainability and safeguarding patients.