Job overview
We are seeking an enthusiastic clinical lead speech and language therapist with a passion for improving care and leading change within both the acute and outpatient services.
As a large teaching hospital and tertiary centre, we offer a diverse caseload across acute, emergency, critical care, surgical, frailty, admission avoidance and instrumental assessment services. The post holder will jointly lead the service across two sites with an established Band 7 Clinical Lead, reviewing service models, streamlining pathways, strengthening MDT working, and delivering education to improve care for patients with swallowing and communication needs.
This person will understand acute care and be motivated to deliver a high-quality service with a vision on how to improve patient outcomes and flow with the opportunity to work across the inpatient and outpatient pathway and in FEES and videofluoroscopy clinics.
The service supports evidence-based practice and CPD, offering opportunities to develop your clinical portfolio. Part-time and flexible working may be considered, with potential for Band 6–7 development for the right candidate.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job
- To lead and provide operational management of the Speech & Language therapy service to acute medicine and surgery.
- To lead service developments and support staff working.
- To use advanced clinical skills to assess, diagnose and independently manage complex dysphagia and disorders of communication respectively.
- To represent speech and language therapy in multidisciplinary team settings and contribute highly specialist expertise for the management of patients with communication and swallowing difficulties.
- To integrate with the multidisciplinary teams and contribute to training and education and quality improvement projects as appropriate.
- To demonstrate skills in motivating patients to engage in therapeutic process.
- To use excellent organisational and prioritisation skills and a flexible approach to work practice.
- To participate in instrumental assessment using videofluoroscopy and fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).
- To participate in appropriate trust level service developments which impact on the care delivered to patients with swallowing and communication difficulties.
- To maintain clinical professional development and be up to date with research and advancements within this clinical area.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust:
- To communicate and collaborate with all SLT Stakeholders.
- To provide leadership and highly specialist clinical skills within acute medicine and surgery.
- To support personal and people development.
- To ensure the health, safety and security of self and colleagues.
- To support service development and planning.
- To support the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda within SLT.
- To support equality of opportunity and access withing SLT for both staff and patients.
- To directly support delivery of therapy to patients.
- To provide leadership and management support.
Person specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Highly specialised knowledge in clinical area
- Assess, diagnose and manage complex dysphagia
- Assess, diagnose and manage complex communication disorders
- Awareness of emerging assessment and treatment developments and able to critically appraise the evidence base
- Excellent MDT working skills.
- Experience of planning and delivering training/education to MDT
Desirable
- Trained in instrumental dysphagia assessment , VFS and FEES
- Experience undertaking local research projects
- Experience of working with an out-patient case load
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- HCPC registration
- RCSLT registration
- Graduate or post-graduate qualification in Speech and Language Pathology
- Post graduate courses in relevant clinical area of Speech and Language Therapy
- Evidence of CPD in relevant areas working towards master’s level
Desirable
- Masters qualification or modules
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapist Acute Medicine/Surgery with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Preston, North West, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 Per annum, pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 16 Aug 2026.
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