Job overview
This role is suited to either an experienced or newly qualified speech and language therapist who is competent in the assessment and management of adults with communication in a range of specialties within the community setting. If the successful candidate is also competent in the management of dysphagia, there will be strong support for the assessment and management of dysphagia also. The community team is a friendly dynamic team and we offer both one to one and group settings both in clinic and in a person's own home. Ability to travel to home visits and various clinical settings is essential as is the ability to work autonomously with regular clinical support and supervision. If required there will be an opportunity to join our AHP preceptorship programme. You will be a strong team player who is able to provide high quality speech and language therapy assessments and interventions across a wide variety of clinical needs.
Main duties of the job
To provide a high standard of speech and language therapy assessment and management of adults with communication in a variety of community settings; autonomously manage a clinical caseload with support from senior colleagues; support shadowing opportunities for SLT and other students as required; participation in service quality improvement projects; undertake professional duties as a qualified speech and language therapist seeking advice from senior colleagues where appropriate.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached the full job description attached for all of the relevant details for this job role.
Person specification
Personal Qualities
Essential
- ● Experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team
- ● Committed to personal development.
- ● Motivation and drive towards working duties
- Flexible and reliable approach to working duties
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- ● Knowledge of evidence-based practice in relation to swallowing and communication disorders.
- ● Knowledge of neurologically impaired patients, and current approaches to treatment and rehabilitation.
- ● Knowledge of differing approaches to communication therapy.
- ● Knowledge of alternative/ augmentative communication systems.
- ● An ability to develop and deliver work programmes for individuals and groups.
- ● Knowledge of various ways of seeking and accessing clinical information.
- ● Highly developed communication/interpersonal skills
- ● Good administrative skills, including word processing.
Desirable
- ● Excellent time management/prioritisation skills
- ● Developing critical appraisal skills, with insight into own strengths and weaknesses.
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- ● Experience of working in various clinical settings.
- ● Experience of working as part of a team.
- ● Portfolio of CPD evidence relevant to post.
- ● Assessment of communication impairments by various means, including a range of standardised assessments.
- ● Differential diagnosis of patients with multiple aetiologies
- ● Experience of working in a community setting.
Desirable
- ● Experience of supervising staff
- ● Experience of working with elderly/very unwell people
- ● Experience of working with people in acute distress.
- ● Awareness of other investigations of dysphagia, e.g. videofluoroscopy
- ● Experience of bedside assessment of dysphagia
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- ● RCSLT recognised degree or equivalent
- ● Eligible for registered membership of RCSLT
- ● HPC membership
Desirable
- ● Independent Dysphagia Practitioner
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Speech & Language Therapist Temp FTC until 28.02.2027 with West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in Bury St Edmunds, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £39,043 pro rata, per annum. The contract type is Fixed term: 8 months (End date of FTC is 28.02.2027). The application deadline is 20 Jul 2026.
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