Speech and Language Therapist - Stroke

Integrated Care System; Reading; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Reading is seeking a full-time Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist to join a supportive multidisciplinary team. This role focuses on assessment and therapy for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties post-stroke, providing an excellent opportunity for newly qualified therapists to develop their skills in a structured environment. The position offers ongoing professional development and access to training resources.

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent licence to practice.
• Registered member of HCPC.
• Completion of RCSLT NQP competencies.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment and therapy for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Manage a caseload with support and contribute to MDT decision making.
• Liaise with families and support safe discharge planning.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Problem solving

Negotiation skills

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification

Registered member of HCPC

Registered member of RCSLT

Completion of RCSLT NQP competencies

Completion of RCLST Dysphagia competencies

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist to join our enthusiastic, inclusive and forward-thinking team at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. We are a team of 16 SLTs, working across a range of services including critical care, neurological services, general medicine and surgery, and ENT and Head & Neck services.

The post is based within the stroke team and is ideal for a newly qualified therapist or someone looking to consolidate core skills in stroke management. The successful candidate will be supported with the RCSLT Newly Qualified Practitioner Competency Framework and the Dysphagia Competency Framework, through regular supervision, joint working and access to in-house training.

The post holder will work as part of a well-established, forward thinking multidisciplinary team delivering high quality, patient centred care across the hyperacute and acute stroke pathway. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop clinical and professional skills within a structured and nurturing environment.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide assessment and therapy for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties following stroke, working across the hyper acute and acute stroke pathway. You will manage a caseload with support, contribute to MDT decision making and participate in ward rounds and goal setting. As a newly qualified practitioner (NQP), you will be supported by experienced SLTs to develop your skills and complete the RCSLT NQP competencies and dysphagia competencies. You will have access to regular supervision, peer support and CPD opportunities. The role will include liaising with families, supporting safe discharge planning and ensuring timely and effective communication with community services.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital foundation trusts in the country, and currently touch the lives of half a million patients in the west of Berkshire every year by providing high quality acute medical and surgical services for our local communities.

Our values:

• Aspirational
• Resourceful

The town of Reading sits on the River Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford, and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work, and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.

The CQC recently rated the care provided by The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as good.

Job responsibilities

For further details, please see the job description and person specification included in the job advertisement.

Person Specification

Education

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent licence to practice
• Registered member of HCPC
• Registered member of RCSLT
• Completion of RCSLT NQP competencies and RCLST Dysphagia competencies

Experience

• Undergraduate experience in clinical areas relevant to post
• Experience of working within MDT
• Post graduate experience in relevant clinical areas
• Membership of relevant CENs

Knowledge

• Knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to client group
• Understanding of role of other MDT professionals
• Awareness of national policies and procedures relevant to post

Skills and abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to recognise own clinical experience and boundaries and seek support as required
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• experience working through interpreters to deliver assessment and therapy

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.

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist