SEHSCT Advanced Practitioner (Level 1) Speech & Language Therapist Hospital at Home Team Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Trustwide (SEHSCT)
• Location: ACH, Main Block
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 18/05/26
• Closes: Tue, 02 June 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

Online and manual applications accepted. Important Information If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Advanced Practitioner (Level 1) Speech and Language Therapist

Band 7

Hospital at Home Team

BAND

Band 7 Advanced Practitioner Level 1 Post

DIRECTORATE

Primary Care and Older People

INITIAL LOCATION

ACH, Main Block

REPORTS TO

Clinical and Service Lead within Hospital at Home Team

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Lead Professional for Speech & Language Therapy

JOB SUMMARY

The Hospital at Home (H@H) service’s primary focus is on maintaining older people at home in the event of a crisis or unexpected deterioration in health. The aim is to reduce length of stay for inpatient admissions, prevent hospital admissions and facilitate early discharge.

The post holder will function fully as a member of the H@H multi-disciplinary team and will be required to participate in all multi-disciplinary meetings, share decision making, advise on specific Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) requirements and complete patient held and shared files for all patients and carers in a person centered manner.

The post holder will be required: -

To develop and deliver a highly specialist SLT service to meet the needs of patient’s referred to the H@H & community SLT services across the Trust.

To assist in the development of interagency and partnership working with community and voluntary sectors to ensure the development of a collaborative approach to the management of the H@H and Community SLT services.

To manage and provide a highly Specialist SLT service to adults with communication and eating, drinking & swallowing (EDS) difficulties in community settings, working as an autonomous practitioner.

To input to service planning, delivery, evaluation and development of SLT Services within H@H.

To communicate and work closely and effectively with clients, carers, and other professionals, demonstrating highly developed interpersonal skills including empathy, negotiation and counselling skills.

To undertake research, development and audit activities in relation to the caseload.

To provide specialist clinical assessment and advice, teaching, guidance, supervision and support to less experienced SLT colleagues, other professionals and unqualified workers.

This service, is provided, across the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in accordance with local and national guidelines.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL

Responsible for the planning and management of own specialist clinical caseload including

Assessment, differential diagnosis and prognosis

Formulation of individual treatment plans

Writing assessment reports

Providing appropriate specialist interventions, with advice to clients, carers and staff

Evaluating treatment outcomes and discharge planning for patients with acquired communication and / or EDS disorders.

To attend and/or assist in videofluoroscopy assessment of dysphagia when appropriate, and to input into FEES for appropriate clients (depending on training).

Provide specialist SLT input to the specialist multidisciplinary team diagnostic assessment, including instrumental assessment, and management of the client group.

Provide specialist clinical assessment, advice, guidance and support for less experienced SLTs across the Trust working with adults with acquired communication / EDS disorders, and associated difficulties in line with relevant policies.

To undertake and contribute to mental capacity assessments, as appropriate under the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 in line with Trust Policies and Procedures and Professional Practice Standards and Guidance

Make onward referrals to other professionals as required.

Work effectively and practice collaboratively within multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams in community settings, in order to meet the needs of the client group.

Contribute to the relevant statutory processes at all stages for the clinical specialty.

Prepare and submit timely clinical reports for routine and/or statutory purposes and be involved in case conferences/relevant meetings etc. as required.

Undertake and contribute to mental capacity assessments ,as appropriate under the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 in line with Trust Policies and Procedures and Professional Practice Standards and Guidance

Maintain clinical case notes and statistics in line with professional and Trust policies.

Organise domiciliary, community and hospital visits as necessary in line with Trust policy.

Initiate and maintain effective liaison with carers, other professionals and agencies relevant to client group.

To maintain specialised equipment, including IT and communication aids, within the specialist area, and to offer advice on replacement as this arises.

Adhere to national and local standards and guidelines relating to professional practice.

To maintain and further develop specialist clinical skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to the client group and related policies and legislation.

To access clinical advice / support from senior clinical specialist for highly complex cases, and participate in regular clinical and case supervision with the Adult Team Assistant Manager.

To maintain a record of CPD activity to meet the requirements of both RCSLT and HCPC.

Where appropriate to profession, act as an independent non-medical/supplementary prescriber, able to take a history, assess, examine, diagnose and prescribe, and develop a management plan including medication and monitor response to medication.

To ensure that staff, patients and carers can access a variety of resources and information regarding EDS & communication difficulties, and are signposted accordingly to appropriate community services and support groups

TEACHING/TRAINING/SUPERVISION

Provide specialist clinical teaching, training and supervision to undergraduate SLTs to examination level.

Plan and provide specialist postgraduate in-service training and teaching for less experienced SLT colleagues within clinical specialty as directed by Team Leader to meet identified development needs.

Devise and supervise the delivery of specific intervention programmes, to be undertaken by trained care staff, assistants or volunteers in hospital and community settings and monitor, review and update as required.

Identify, plan and deliver provide appropriate specialist training to carers and other professionals working with the client group in both hospital and community settings.

To participate in the supervision process, attend and participate in staff/team meetings as required and in an annual staff appraisal process (PDCR).

Maintain up-to-date skills and knowledge relevant to their profession and specialist area by engaging in a range of relevant learning and development activities

Educate and supervise AHP colleagues and others in the healthcare team.

Lead and contribute to a range of audit and evaluation strategies, which informs education and learning

RESEARCH/EVALUATION/DEVELOPMENT

Undertake appropriate specialist professional and personal development activities including attendance at relevant courses and conferences, and reading to maintain and further develop specialist clinical competencies.

To identify areas for research within the clinical specialty and undertake relevant research to enhance the quality of specialist clinical services provided in association with Team Leader.

Ensure evidence based practice informs assessment, treatment planning and evaluation within own specialist caseload and within the clinical specialty.

Investigate, evaluate and implement current and innovative assessment and treatment techniques and models of service delivery relevant to the post.

Undertake local and national audit and quality initiatives consistent with Trust policy and Clinical & Social Governance requirements in association with Team Leader.

To contribute to the development and implementation of uni/multidisciplinary clinical guidelines relevant to own caseload.

Identify, plan and prepare specialist therapy resources / programmes appropriate for use by other SLTs, professionals and carers working with the client group.

To assist in reviewing the patient and carer experience.

To engage in PPI (Personal and Public Involvement) and co-production as a means of developing and delivering services.

MANAGEMENT/LEADERSHIP

Contribute to selection, recruitment, induction and day-to-day supervision of junior SLT colleagues or other staff within the clinical specialty.

Identify and systematically inform Team Leader of changes/trends within specialist caseload for service evaluation, monitoring and planning purposes.

Participate in the development, review and implementation of SLT and multidisciplinary policies, procedures and service developments for the clinical specialty area.

To deal with informal complaints related to his/her own caseload/specialty, re-directing to senior SLTs/Lead Professional for SLT as appropriate.

To be aware of, and contribute to, the interpretation (including Health & Safety) of current legislation, risk management issues, Trust policies and departmental/professional guidelines and adhere to those relevant to the post.

To be aware of Trust policies, departmental and professional guidelines and adhere to those relevant to the post.

To be aware of and adhere to current legislation in relation to the post, including Health and Safety regulations.

GENERAL

Attend and participate in all relevant staff meetings.

Participate in the Trust Appraisal process.

Be aware of and adhere to Trust, Team and professional standards, guidelines and current legislation relevant to the post.

Carry out administrative duties required within the post.

Carry out any other duties required to meet the changing needs of the service.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

(Include only for line managers)

The Trust supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others, in their team, to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision-making.

Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way that underpins Trust values.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the SEHSCT’s Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted, through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

Standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the SEHSCT are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the SEHSCT including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded, as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The SEHSCT has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Advanced Practitioner (Level 1) Speech and Language Therapist

Band 7

DEPARTMENT

Speech and Language Therapy

DIRECORATE

Primary Care and Older People

HOURS

Full time 37.5 hours per week, minimum 30 hours considered

Ref No

< 55672405

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

Given that this position is a development post and that candidates may fulfil the criteria at either a and 5 or 6 level the Trust will undertake the interview process allowing candidates to be assessed across both levels of experience. Candidates will be evaluated based on the expected responses to the questions posed. The successful candidate will be the individual with the highest score at interview

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualification

Experience

&

Registration

Degree/Diploma in Speech & Language Therapy recognised by the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

Provide evidence of valid and current registration with the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists and HCPC including professional indemnity insurance and evidence of a valid licence to practise.

Minimum 4 years’ post-qualification clinical experience to include 3 years’ experience with relevant client group or 2 years’ full time experience with the client group i.e. communication and swallowing disorders.

Post graduate advanced clinical training and experience to include; -

Specialist courses relevant to the diagnosis, prognosis and management of the client group, e.g. Postgraduate dysphagia training, dysphagia therapy, trache management, dementia awareness, Talking Mats, Mental Capacity.

Extensive relevant CPD

Experience in developing and delivering training programmes for other professionals.

Experience in staff supervision.

Experience of working collaboratively with other agencies e.g. statutory and/or voluntary.

Experience using AAC systems.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence, which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment.

(This criterion will be waived, in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust, which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.)

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

High level of interpersonal skills

High level of communication skills including presentation, training and IT skills

Effective caseload and clinic management skills

Ability to work collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team member within multidisciplinary / multiagency settings

Ability to supervise staff and undergraduate SLTs

Ability to monitor, allocate and delegate work effectively

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Advanced level knowledge and skills in communication and dysphagia assessment and management.

Comprehensive knowledge of Professional Standards and Guidelines relevant to the client group

Interview / Test

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Advanced dysphagia training

Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click Here

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times