Senior Speech and Language Therapist

Main area Neurorehabilitation Speech and Language Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week Job ref 213-Division-A-8185478

Employer King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Orpington Hospital Town orpington Salary £45,953 - £54,254 per annum, including HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 21/09/2026 23:59

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£2.1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley.

We encourage all our staff to have a healthy work/life balance. In doing so, you can apply for flexible working from the beginning of your employment. We offer a range of options which are designed to suit different circumstances and priorities in line with service requirements.

We are seeking an an enthusiastic and motivated Band 6 Senior Speech and Language Therapist with relevant experience to join our Neurorehabilitation Service based at Orpington Hospital as part of the South Sites of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The post holder will provide Speech and Language Therapy services across this specialist clinical area for 22.5 Hours per week. The post holder will be supported to develop a wide knowledge base and range of skills within adult neuro rehabilitation population. Line management will be provided by the Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapists within the neuro rehabilitation team.

Main duties of the job

With proven clinical skills in the management of patients with rehabilitation needs, you must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to teach and develop more junior staff and students. Working in a department which offers a wide range of experience, you will be encouraged and supported to develop your clinical, teaching, and managerial skills as well as contribute towards service development. You will be part of a well-structured CPD program and responsible for wider service level projects with access to relevant MDT in-service training programs.

The Neurorehabilitation Speech and Language Therapy team works closely with SLTs on all King’s sites. Led by the Head of Speech & Language Therapy and Band 8A/B Clinical Leads, the service offers an established supervision system, including action learning groups, plus a range of opportunities for learning and participation in both self and service development.

Working for our organisation

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

1. To manage an autonomous caseload on the neuro rehabilitation wards, which will include assessment, contribution to differential diagnosis, and specialist SLT management for patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders, following King's College Hospital (KCH) Speech and Language Therapy evidence based guidelines and abiding by KCH Speech and Language Therapy service standards.

2. To identify barriers to effective communication within the environment and suggest and implement solutions where feasible.

3. To introduce low and high tech communication aids as appropriate and train the patient, their family and friends and the staff on using alternative and augmentative communication aid systems or to refer on to the communication aid therapist at Bowley Close.

4. To co-ordinate and promote communication developments under the guidance of a senior therapist e.g. mental capacity act issues, developing and delivering training on supporting communication, advising on environmental changes that support those with communication difficulties.

5. To maintain and develop the use of AAC techniques and equipment across the team.

6. To discuss, advise and plan appropriate patient goals with clients, carers and the multidisciplinary teams.

7. To act as a key worker/Rehabilitation Coordinator where appropriate.

8. To provide complex and sensitive clinical information to patients and carers in clear, accessible and empathetic format, both in written and verbal form

9. To work as part of the multidisciplinary team negotiating appropriate therapy packages, length of stay and discharge arrangements

10. To attend ward rounds and MDT meetings as appropriate

11. To liaise on a regular basis with relevant hospital and community therapy teams.

12. To liaise with other agencies to ensure appropriate follow up and care arrangements for patients

13. To develop and deliver training regarding communication and swallowing to carers, relatives and staff.

Administrative Responsibilities

1.To maintain full, accurate and contemporaneous records within EPIC

2.To provide timely and accurate reports including transfer and discharge reports.

3.To prepare for and participate in an annual job appraisal which includes a 6 monthly review with the SLT acute clinical lead.

4.To attend King’s College Hospital Speech and Language Therapy team meetings.

5.To provide full, accurate and timely statistical data.

Leadership

1.To provide clinical support and advise to junior therapists within the team.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• BSc or recognised post graduate MSc or diploma in speech and language therapy
• Registration with the Health Professions Council
• Postgraduate training in communication disorders and aphasia therapy
• Member of RCSLT
• Supervision course

Knowledge and experience

• Established experience with adult acquired and neurological disorders in a rehabilitation setting including managing your own caseload and using a range of assessment and therapy techniques
• Up to date knowledge of the mental capacity act
• Experience of working successfully as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Previous involvement with audit/research
• Previous experience of instrumental assessment (VF/FEES)
• Previous experience of working in a rehab setting
• Experience of student supervision and training
• Experience of supervising junior staff

Skills and competencies

• Excellent written and spoken communication skills and ability to communicate sensitive and complex information
• Collaborative and consultative skills within multidisciplinary working
• Band 5 competency in relation to assessment, treatment & management of acquired communication and swallowing problems;
• Good presentation and teaching skills and ability to devise appropriate training and information packages
• Demonstrate ability to manage and prioritise a caseload autonomously, and liaise across teams and services as required
• Demonstrate ability to carry out relevant projects
• Good IT skills and experience of using computer based communication programmes
• Demonstrates motivation and flexibility
• A flexible approach to working patterns which may include participating in providing a 7 day week service
• Excellent auditory and perceptual skills

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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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.