Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to join the Stroke Service at The James Cook University Hospital. You will be responsible for providing specialist clinical Speech and Language Therapy services within the stroke pathway, supporting patients through assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for communication and swallowing difficulties. You will manage a specialist caseload across the acute stroke and neurology unit (NASU), stroke rehabilitation, and early supported discharge community settings, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care. You will also support the wider Adult Speech & Language Therapy inpatient acute dysphagia service, providing specialist assessment and intervention across acute and community hospital settings and outpatient clinics. You will work flexibly as part of a 6-day rota to meet service needs, ensuring care delivery is effective, compassionate, and aligned with NHS values and clinical governance standards

Main duties of the job

As a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, you will be responsible for independently managing your clinical workload, completing assessments, interventions, and maintaining accurate records in line with professional standards and Trust policies. You will support patients, relatives, carers, and key stakeholders through effective communication via telephone, email, and face-to-face contact, ensuring information is handled appropriately in accordance with information governance requirements. You will contribute to the development of therapy resources, training materials, and evidence-based practice while supporting service planning and continuous improvement initiatives. You will be responsible for prioritising your workload, completing relevant documentation and data entry, contributing to audits, and using reporting systems to support service evaluation and improvement. You will also undertake appropriate risk assessments, including lone working considerations, and liaise with external agencies where required to support ongoing patient care.

About us

Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.

Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges

Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave

Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want

Details

• Date posted: 17 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £26.56 an hour
• Contract: Bank
• Duration: 3 months
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: M0042-90168
• Job locations: The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

To apply advanced clinical expertise when managing complex communication and swallowing presentations, using specialist knowledge to support clinical decision-making and optimise patient outcomes.

To formulate and review individualised management strategies, including treatment recommendations, risk considerations, and onward care planning based on comprehensive clinical evaluation.

To provide specialist advice on complex cases, supporting colleagues across professional groups with evidence-based recommendations and guidance on communication and swallowing management.

To contribute to clinical leadership by supporting service improvements, mentoring less experienced staff, and promoting effective working practices within the Speech and Language Therapy team.

To support the development and review of clinical pathways, protocols, audits, and evidence-based initiatives to enhance service quality and professional standards.

To facilitate learning and professional development by supervising students and support staff, delivering specialist training, and maintaining expertise through ongoing development activities..