Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Band 6 or an existing Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist who is keen to further develop their clinical and professional skills within the Physical Health AHP team.
This Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist post offers an excellent opportunity to further develop advanced clinical and leadership skills within inpatient mental health settings, while working as part of a supportive Physical Health Allied Health Professions team. The role is well suited to an experienced SLT with a strong physical health background who is interested in expanding their practice into mental health services and developing management and service leadership skills, with appropriate support and training. Comprehensive mental health training and ongoing support will be provided.
The post holder will deliver high-quality, evidence-based and person-centred Speech and Language Therapy assessment, intervention and education for adults and older adults within inpatient mental health units. Clinical responsibilities include the management of dysphagia, speech, language and cognitive-communication needs, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to support holistic and integrated patient care.
Applicants must be HCPC registered and must have substantial dysphagia experience equivalent to the RCSLT Level C/D competency framework and experience working with adults with complex needs.
Main duties of the job
Key Result Areas & Performance:
- Autonomously manage a complex caseload of adults and older adults with dysphagia and communication needs across Inpatient Mental Health service lines, from assessment through to discharge.
- Deliver highly specialist assessment and intervention for dysphagia, speech, language and cognitive-communication needs using evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
- Advise managers and clinical leads of shortfalls /difficulties as they arise, identifying initiatives/plans to manage these shortfalls/ difficulties whilst contributing to future service developments
- Provide specialist advice to the multidisciplinary team regarding daily patient management, clinical risk and discharge planning.
- Support informed consent and contribute to Mental Capacity Act assessments, ensuring communication needs are fully considered.
- Communicate complex clinical information clearly and sensitively to patients, carers, families and professionals.
- Contribute specialist SLT input to MDT meetings, reviews and clinical decision-making processes.
- Lead and contribute to service development and Speech and Language Therapy quality improvement initiatives.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- To carry out and analyse both formal and informal assessments for people who have dysphagia, complex speech, language, social and communication needs
- Knowledge of up-to-date assessment tools and therapeutic interventions related to specialist area
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
- Knowledge of the roles of other professionals such as social workers, community nurses, physiotherapists
- Knowledge of national policies, legislation and procedures that impact of SLT and future care for learning disabilities
- Ability to record electronic notes and reports to a high standard.
- High standard of organisational, time management and prioritisation skills
- Independently assess, diagnose and provide specialist input for dysphagia cases
- Applying visual systems to support communication in ADLs e.g. AAC, BSL, Makaton signs and symbols
- Knowledge of a total communication approach
- Good presentation skills
- An awareness of relevant legislation e.g. Mental Health Act
Desirable
- Advanced knowledge of Research and/or clinical audit skills
- Skills in developing/delivering structured groups
- Willingness and ability to develop a specialist area of expertise and clinical service
Experience
Essential
- Assessment, mealtime management and therapeutic intervention of acute and chronic dysphagia
- Assessment and therapeutic intervention of speech, language and communication difficulties in an adult population (including geriatric population)
- Working independently with a dysphagia and communication caseload
- Administration and analysis of both formal and informal clinical assessments in a range of environments
- Relevant post qualification clinical experience with adult population
- Development and implementation of programs of care
- Communicating information clearly to patients, staff, carers and support network where appropriate
- Experience working in collaboration with members of the MDT team in order to support the needs of patients with dysphagia and communication needs
- Implementation of robust therapy plans and monitoring and evaluating outcomes
- Clinical supervision of SLT students and junior SLTs
- Deliver training to a range of professionals to upskill others in a range of therapy approaches/ strategies/ service delivery whilst capturing effectiveness of the training
- Experience in delivery of structured groups
- Experience with complex communication and challenging behaviours
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with Mental Illness or personality disorder and/or challenging behaviour
- Incorporation of Accessible Information Standard (AIS) criteria into clinical practice
Other requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.
- Ability to deputise for the Team Manager
- Good organisational & problem-solving skills
- Negotiation skills and resolution of conflict
- Personal interest in working within mental health services
- Excellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills, team working
Qualification and Training
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
- Post graduate training in clinical areas relevant to the post e.g. Makaton, Clinical Supervision, Talking Mats.
- Intensive Interaction, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Registered with Health and Care Professions Council & Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
- RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Level D/EDSCF Level 6
Desirable
- ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observations Schedule) assessment tool/equivalent ASD diagnostic assessment
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with West London NHS Trust in Southall, London, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £55,524 - £62,652 per annum inclusive. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 21 Jun 2026.
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