Stroke Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Stroke Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to lead innovation in stroke rehabilitation. This role focuses on delivering and developing a highly specialist SLT service within a renowned cardiothoracic center. Candidates will engage in advanced neuro assessments, multidisciplinary teamwork, and education, while also contributing to service evaluation and quality improvement. Join a team that values compassion, excellence, and collaboration, and make a significant impact on patient care in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Benefits

Professional Development Opportunities

Flexible Working Hours

Supportive Work Environment

Access to Cutting-Edge Facilities

Qualifications

• HCPC-registered Speech and Language Therapist with extensive experience.
• Postgraduate training in Stroke/Neurological Care preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and coordinate specialist SLT services for stroke patients.
• Promote person-centred, evidence-based stroke care.

Skills

Speech and Language Therapy

Neurology Rehabilitation

Leadership Skills

Communication Skills

Evidence-Based Practice

Education

BSc in Speech and Language Therapy

MSc in Stroke/Neurological Care

Tools

Standardized Assessment Tools

Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Study

Job description

Stroke Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Are you a passionate and experienced Speech and Language Therapist ready to lead innovation in stroke rehabilitation? Would you like to work in an internationally renowned cardiothoracic centre rated as Outstanding across all domains by the CQC. If so, we want to hear from you.

We're looking for a Stroke Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to deliver, coordinate and develop a highly specialist SLT service for patients with stroke as a primary or secondary diagnosis--across critical care, cardiology, cardio-thoracic surgery, transplant, and respiratory medicine.

This new role has a strong clinical focus with significant elements of leadership, education, service development, and research. You will co-lead the stroke service with Stroke Specialist Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist to provide true multi-professional leadership and unified service delivery.

The Therapies leadership team are keen to explore the implementation of hours to best suit the service and individual, e.g. two days, three short days, etc.

Main duties of the job

Key responsibilities include:

*Promoting person-centred, evidence-based stroke care within a complex cardiothoracic setting

*Advanced neuro assessments and interventions

*Development of tailored discharge plans and neuro-restorative treatment programs

*Case management and co-ordination across multidisciplinary teams

*Education of students, MDT colleagues and support staff

*Service evaluation, audit, and quality improvement aligned with national stroke guidelines (2023)

What We're Looking for from aspiring candidates

*HCPC-registered Speech and Language Therapist

*Extensive post-qualification experience in neurology/stroke rehabilitation

*Skilled in managing complex cases across acute and critical care settings

*Strong leadership, communication and teaching capabilities

*Commitment to evidence-based practice and national guidelines

*Be able to manage a small team of rotational staff and or lead on service improvement projects.

*Postgraduate training or MSc in Stroke/Neurological Care

*Experience working within cardiothoracic or transplant services

*Participation in national networks or audits

About us

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, delivering care to more than 50,000 patients a year in its new state-of-the-art hospital in Cambridge. We perform the most heart and/or lung transplants in the UK and carried out the UK's first successful heart transplant in 1979. It also offers emergency heart attack treatment, sleep centre care and is one of just five centres nationally for those in severe respiratory failure.

Based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe the Trust is at the heart of treatments of the future. Royal Papworth became the first hospital trust in the country to be rated outstanding in all five areas assessed by the Care Quality Commission - a rating it still holds today. The Trust holds its values of compassion, excellence & collaboration at its core, and all colleagues joining the team are expected to uphold these in their day-to-day roles & interactions. Royal Papworth is proud of its diverse workforce and encourages people to embrace their individuality.

The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion & belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.

For a street view tour: https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/virtual-tour

Job responsibilities

On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about the hospital and full details about the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. Please include how you will meet the Trust Values Compassion, Excellence and Collaboration. If you would like more information about the role or working at Royal Papworth Hospital, please get in touch with the contact for this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc SALT / Grad.Dip.SALT / pre-reg MSc SALTost graduate education/ MSc level (or equivalent level) training relevant to stroke/ neurology care
• Video fluoroscopic Swallow Study competencies
• HCPC registration
• Active participation and engagement within specialist interest group membership

Experience

• Clinical Pillar
• Specialist SALT knowledge and advanced clinical reasoning in critical care, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology and rehabilitation. Ability to support others to develop their knowledge
• Evidence of significant experience in speech and language therapy management of patients with stroke/neurology and associated condition and treatment options
• Experience in conducting comprehensive dysphagia and communication assessments using standardized tools and protocols
• Evidence of development of scope of practice with new skills and support others to also develop
• Ability to work independently and prioritise own and others workload and delegate effectively to others
• Evidence of excellent communication, leadership and management skills across the multi-professional team
• Evidence of excellent communication skills, including verbal, non-verbal and written, in difficult and challenging situations
• Ability to problem solve and make complex clinical and non-clinical decisions and support the team to also do so
• Engagement in post-graduate education relevant to stroke and neurology care; including attending, presenting and organising relevant courses, study days and conferences
• Experience of teaching and presentation to peers, junior staff and students
• Experience in education and advocacy of SALT across the multi-professional team
• Research Pillar
• Experience in leading team and department audit / service improvement/ research projects
• Utilisation of current evidence base to influence own and others clinical practice
• Working knowledge of NHS and AHP priorities and initiatives

Additional Criteria

• Evidence ability to uphold the Trust's values Compassion Excellence Collaboration.
• Role model and support others in demonstrating professionalism, resilience and reflexivity

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.

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Service Lead for Dietetics Speech Language Therapy