Acute Lead Speech & Language Therapist

Job overview

The Adult SLT team at Darent Valley Hospital have an exciting opportunity for a part‑time [0.8wte] permanent Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join our team at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. We are also happy to consider part‑time working or a job‑share arrangement for the right candidate. This is a key leadership role within a dynamic, forward‑thinking team serving a diverse caseload, including the hospital’s 15‑bedded Intensive Care Unit.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated clinician with highly specialist expertise in acute care. You will work alongside established Band 7 Acute Lead colleagues, providing clinical leadership and supporting therapists and therapy assistants in managing a varied and fast‑paced caseload.

Experience in critical care and tracheostomy management would be a significant advantage. We also welcome applicants who are keen to develop these skills, as the team is committed to providing structured support to help build confidence in these areas.

The service benefits from weekly videofluoroscopy and FEES clinics, and prior competency in these assessments is highly desirable - we would support the development of these competencies further.

You will work closely with the Band 8 Inpatient Lead SLT, collaborate with the Stroke SLT team, and be supported by a well‑established Outpatient service and excellent administrative staff.

Main duties of the job

Leadership & Professional Development

Strong leadership skills are essential. You will play an active role in shaping the service through:

• Clinical governance, service evaluation and ongoing development
• Line management and supervision of SLT colleagues
• Leading and contributing to audits, quality improvement projects and training initiatives
• Delivering teaching across wards and multidisciplinary teams
• Supporting junior SLTs, SLTAs and students

What We Offer

We are committed to creating a positive and supportive working environment where staff feel valued and encouraged to grow. You will have access to:

• Regular clinical and managerial supervision
• Peer support within a highly collaborative team
• A wide range of CPD opportunities, both formal and informal
• Opportunities to contribute to service innovation and cross‑disciplinary working
• A team passionate about raising the profile of Speech and Language Therapy across the Trust

Please watch our recruitment video to hear more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZCMlSDW0o

We would be delighted to welcome another enthusiastic and committed SLT to our team.

If you would like further information or wish to discuss the role, please contact dgn-tr.sltdvh@nhs.net or call 01322 428593. Visits to the department are warmly encouraged.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities:

Provide specialist differential diagnosis, clinical advice and care plans/therapy to clients with communication and/or swallowing implementing specialist programmes as a highly specialist member of the SLT Team

Liaise with the SLT inpatient lead and the SLT acute lead at DVH regarding the acute caseload of patients and day to day associated team management

Manage and prioritise own highly specialist caseload independently

Contribute to specialist clinical teams by discussing own and others’ input around client’s needs ensuring a well co-ordinated care plan

Make appropriate clinical decisions following highly specialist assessment, including recognising potential breakdown

Make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from highly specialist assessment

Reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of the client’s communication and identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness

Determine the clinical need for videofluoroscopy or FEES assessment for clients and assist in the assessment and analysis to devise an appropriate management plan

Responsible for devising and delivering a specialist package of care which is appropriate to the client group and the individual client circumstances.

Work closely with clients, carers and families, agreeing decision making relevant to the client management including situations involving end of life issues

Ensure that clients and carers are involved in the planning and implementation of their specialist care plans

Please see attached job description for further details

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.