Speech and Language Therapist (Stroke)

NHS; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in England seeks a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist to join their stroke service team at Maidstone hospital. The ideal candidate will assess and manage adult clients with communication disorders while working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team. The Trust offers a robust induction program and opportunities for continuous professional development, making it an excellent environment for newly qualified therapists. Salary ranges from £31,049 to £37,796 annually depending on experience.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills required to work with patients and team.
• Organisational skills for managing time and prioritising tasks.
• Experience with SLT assessments in an acute setting.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage clients with communication disorders.
• Work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Provide training and support to family and caregivers.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Demonstrable organisational and reflection skills

Demonstrable auditory and perceptual skills in clinical analysis

Education

Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Newly qualified and looking for your first job? Working in your first job but looking for a fresh challenge? We are seeking someone who is proactive and flexible to join our forward-thinking and dynamic stroke service based at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust.

You will join an established cohort of B5s and our preceptorship program. We will offer a comprehensive induction with an emphasis on your practice development as a newly qualified or developing SLT. The team offers support for continuous professional development with in-service training and journal clubs. We have access to on site videofluography and FEES and are actively involved in research for example PLORAS and PhEAST.

We will provide you with training and pastoral support and offer an outstanding learning and development package with a broad range of development opportunities. I'm sure you will find something to suit you! Please see our recruitment videos for therapies https://youtu.be/GhVNSbkYkX8 and strokeStroke Recruitment MTW

Main duties of the job

This post is a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) in the Stroke service based primarily at Maidstone hospital, which currently includes hyper-acute, acute stroke, inpatient rehabilitation and an early-supported discharge service in clients' own homes.

To autonomously assess, diagnose and manage adult clients admitted to the Trust with communication disorders.

To work collaboratively with senior members of the team in managing patients with swallowing disorders, to obtain Dysphagia competencies.

To advise and support relatives, carers and medical staff in the care of these patients.

Where appropriate, to transfer hand over information about these patients to residential care homes and/or Community SLT services in a timely manner, to ensure a seamless service and to help prevent unnecessary readmissions.

To update and organise the online inpatient caseload documents daily so that there is appropriate and effective handover and prioritisation of patients at all times.

To be part of the MDT providing a 7 day, extended hours flexible service as required.

To attend and contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, goal setting meetings, and other ward meetings as necessary.

• To participate in providing cover across the other parts of the SLT service (and sites) where appropriate.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working? We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits.
• Blue Light card eligibility.
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below.

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions before submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrable organisational and reflection skills, including the ability to prioritise and manage your own time effectively
• Demonstrable auditory and perceptual skills in clinical analysis

Experience/Knowledge

• Multidisciplinary team working
• Sound knowledge and experience of formal SLT assessments used with adults in an acute setting
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice, especially in the areas of dysphagia, aphasia, dysarthria and dyspraxia
• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance
• Experience of working with adults in the acute setting
• Experience of working with stroke survivors

Qualifications

• Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
• Evidence of ongoing CPD/ reflective practice

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.

£31,049 to £37,796 a yearper annum pro rata