Speech and Language Therapist (Acute) in Wigan

A Vacancy at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated Band 5 speech and language therapists to join our acute medicine/stroke service based at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan. This permanent full‑time post (37.5 hours) will run Monday to Friday. The role offers the opportunity to work in a varied and fast‑paced environment with patients presenting with a wide range of medical and surgical conditions, focusing on the specialist field of dysphagia. NHS experience is essential (voluntary, placement or employment).

Key responsibilities

• Provide a high standard of speech & language therapy service to patients on the wards at RAEI.
• Act as a source of knowledge on the management of acute medical conditions, advising patients, relatives, therapy staff, medical staff and other health professionals.
• Specialist assessment and treatment of patients, including complex or chronic presentations, determining clinical diagnosis, prescribing appropriate therapy, and maintaining records as an autonomous practitioner.
• Hold responsibility for own caseload and a defined area of the acute Speech & Language Therapy service.
• Supervision includes formal training, peer review and case conferences.
• Assist the Team Leader and Therapy Lead in planning, coordinating, delivering and evaluating the acute wards’ speech & language therapy service.

Key results from the job holder

• Be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of work, including dysphagia and delegated duties on junior staff.
• Plan, prepare and undertake client assessments for a designated caseload in line with professional and national standards.
• Maintain a professional portfolio of Continuing Professional Development.
• Use clinical judgement to prioritise caseload in line with guidelines and protocols.

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload, organising effectively and efficiently according to priorities.
• Formulate and deliver individual treatment programmes based on evidence‑based practice and appropriate clinical assessment.
• Support the team leader in developing policy changes within the acute speech & language therapy team.
• Participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Plan.
• Demonstrate sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management.
• Be responsible for a designated area of work and plan its organisation, ensuring alignment with team priorities.
• Ensure effective selection and use of all assessment and treatment modalities.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up‑to‑date documentation and communicate results to appropriate disciplines.
• Work independently, with guidance from senior staff when necessary, and meet organisational and departmental policies.
• Lead Evidence Based Practice projects, audits and outcome measures to recommend changes.
• Undertake any other duties assigned by the Team Leader, Therapy Lead or Head of Therapy Services.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise rehabilitation and ensure understanding of condition.
• Use verbal and non‑verbal tools to gain informed consent, especially where communication barriers exist.
• Assess capacity, gain valid consent and work within legal framework for patients lacking capacity.
• Communicate complex information and collaborate with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues for a coordinated multidisciplinary service.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Supervise junior staff as delegated by senior staff.
• Evaluate speech and language therapy students, negotiate learning contracts and set objectives.
• Comply with annual IPR and appraisal system.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

• Comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, actively managing risk, reporting incidents, near misses, hazards and ensuring statutory duty of care.

Responsibility for Teaching

• Educate patients, relatives and carers about conditions and their impact to adapt to appropriate lifestyles.
• Plan and deliver in‑service training for own profession and others.
• Participate in planning, evaluation and audit of practices, clinical pathways and protocols.
• Measure and evaluate work and current practice using outcome measures and audit.

This advert closes on Friday 15 May 2026.