Job requirements
Essential
9 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Experience of working with adult clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties
- Experience
Experience working in an acute hospital setting
- Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group
- Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to client group
- Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group
- Knowledge and Skills
Awareness of standards of clinical record keeping
- Knowledge and Skills
Working knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and audit and their application to professional practice
- Education and Training
Recognised Speech & Language Therapist degree qualification or equivalent
- Education and Training
Health and Care Professions Council – Licence to Practise
Desirable
6 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Completion of Dysphagia Supervision Schedule or equivalent
- Experience
Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Knowledge and Skills
Publication in appropriate journals, etc
- Knowledge and Skills
Proficient use of computer packages such as word, excel, publisher
- Education and Training
Successful completion of postgraduate training in dysphagia
- Education and Training
Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses including dysphagia
Job overview
We are excited to recruit a full-time permanent Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to work with inpatients at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, on the South-East London/North-West Kent border. We would consider appointing a newly qualified or established Developing Specialist SLT with the required profile and enthusiasm. We are situated near South-East London with good transport links, where an additional 5% high cost of living allowance applies. We pride ourselves in being a friendly, proactive and flexible team.
The successful applicant will work with inpatients on the acute wards including respiratory, gastroenterology, general medical, surgical and care of the elderly. There may also be an element of inpatient stroke management depending on service needs.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be working alongside our team of 17 staff: Highly Specialist SLT Team Leads, Specialist and developing Specialist SLTs, SLT Assistants and administrators. There are well established Inpatient and Outpatient teams, and excellent team administrative support.
The post holder will work towards becoming independent in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. They will be an integral member of the Adult SLT team and will gain the opportunity to provide training to other healthcare professionals. The successful candidate will be able to access support from lead specialist therapists in areas of voice, dementia, palliative care, stroke/neurology, tracheostomy, and oncology. There are also on-site weekly videofluoroscopy and FEES clinics.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For newly qualified practitioners, we have a preceptorship and an in-house dysphagia programme, which enable RCSLT and dysphagia competencies to be completed. The chosen candidate will also receive excellent supervision from the well-established and well-resourced SLT team. There is access to informal and formal training and CPD opportunities, where learning and sharing is strongly encouraged. We strive for ongoing service development, and regular participation in projects and audits, and cross-discipline working is highly valued. We are passionate about our team and profession, and actively raise the profile of Speech and Language Therapy.
Please watch our recruitment video to hear more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZCMlSDW0o
We would be very excited to welcome another passionate SLT into our team!
If you are interested in this post and would like any more information, please email dgn-tr.sltdvh@nhs.net or telephone 01322 428593 to discuss the post further. You are also very welcome to visit the Department. We would be very pleased to hear from you.
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Developing Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust in Dartford, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £33,677 - £40,996 incl HCAS per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 19 Oct 2026.
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