Speech and Language Therapist

We are an award winning organisation providing care at two main hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—and a number of community-based services across London, such as sexual health and HIV clinics.

With 6,700 members of staff, we are proud to care for a diverse population of one million people. We are committed to ensuring that our workforce is just as diverse with a strong mix of skills and abilities.

Our staff are at the very heart of our organisation and we recognise the valuable contribution that each and every person working at the Trust makes. One of our Trust priorities is to be an employer of choice—a place where people want to start their career and to grow with us through continued education, professional development and support .

Main area Speech and Language Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (maternity leave cover) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 289-CS-06

Site Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Town London Salary £58,133 - £65,261 per annum incl. HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 01/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

Are you seeking a new career opportunity?

We are pleased to advertise this fixed-term contract. Covering maternity leave in the adult Speech & Language Therapy service, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The post is based on our acute stroke unit and includes involvement in Videofluoroscopy clinic and management of rehabilitation patients with a tracheostomy.

Due to the fixed-term nature of the role, we are seeking an autonomous practitioner, who is capable of providing highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy services. With the expectation they will be required to provide assistance to the acute caseload, should caseload demand require it.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to manage a complex caseload independently, providing second opinions and advice for junior staff when required. They will need to be an autonomous practitioner with regard to videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy management.

They will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and will be expected to contribute to collaborative working with patients, carers, and colleagues, the voluntary sector and Social Services in regards to the planning and delivery of care.

The post holder will participate in team meetings, working parties and contribute to departmental / team audits. They will be required to deliver training within the hospital setting to other professionals, patients and carers. They will contribute to training and support of junior staff members.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.

We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.

If you haven’t heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide highly specialist SLT input to the acute stroke unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

T o analyse complex medical information, identify differential diagnosis and implement appropriate SLT assessment and treatment / management for patients with a range of swallowing and communication disorders, including care of patients with a tracheostomy.

To ensure patients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care, as appropriate

To participate in multidisciplinary tracheostomy management, as appropriate

To participate in, and/ or lead videofluoroscopy clinic, as appropriate. This includes reviewing referrals for suitability, timely completion of reports and ensuring that clinical practice adheres to standards set by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy.

Person specification

• Putting patients first & Responsive to patients and staff
• Open and honest & Unfailingly kind
• Determined to Develop

Education and qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist
• Current HCPC registration
• Current RCSLT registration
• Extensive postgraduate experience relevant to the post
• Member of clinical interest group and / or network, relevant to the post

Experience

• Experience providing complex specialist dysphagia assessment and management
• Level 3 Videofluoroscopy competencies / relevant overseas training or framework
• RCSLT Tracheostomy competencies / overseas competency training or framework
• Experience working within a Multidisciplinary Team
• Experience with service development and audit
• Experience providing teaching and training for members of the MDT, patients, families etc.
• Experience using evidence based practice and outcome measures
• Experience providing complex specialist communication assessment and management

Skills and knowledge

• Highly specialist knowledge of SLT assessment and management for complex swallowing disorders within an adult population
• Highly specialist knowledge of SLT assessment and management for complex communication disorders within an adult population
• Understanding of NHS policies relevant to SLT and the value of clinical governance
• Ability to take responsibility for own clinical work from referral through to discharge
• Ability to work on autonomously and as part of a team
• Ability to identify and assess risk accordingly
• Ability to communicate effectively in a highly emotive clinical setting.
• Ability to demonstrate an evidence based approach to clinical practice
• Ability to communicate effectively with adults of all ages and abilities
• Ability to cope with stressful working situations, including challenging behaviour
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent written and oral, reporting and presentation skills

Personal Qualities

• Awareness of and maintenance of, personal and professional boundaries
• Ability to maintain concentration for prolonged periods of time

Important

• There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date, this will be due to a high volume of applications. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please check your emails regularly (and your junk folder) as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
• In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
• During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
• Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.
• We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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