Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – Neurosciences/MND

Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – Neurosciences/MND

Band 7

Main area .Community & Neighbourhood Health Services Grade Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Part-time work would be considered) Job ref 328-CN-8264067-A

Site The James Cook University Hospital Town Middlesbrough Salary £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 27/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

We are looking for a candidate currently working as a Band 7, or an experienced Senior Speech & Language Therapist ready for the next step in their career. You will have clinical experience of working with patients with neurological conditions, including MND. Those seeking to further specialise in the field of neurosciences and who enjoy a mix of both acute and community working would be ideal for this role.

You will have completed post graduate dysphagia training and will have advanced skills in managing neurological dysphagia and related communication disorders.

The Speech & Language Therapy team is looking for a team player, who can demonstrate an ability to work under pressure and be flexible in their approach to patient care. The individual should be confident working in a busy multidisciplinary team and be able to travel independently for community visits.

Knowledge of videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy dysphagia management would be advantageous.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will contribute to the delivery of a high-quality service within the specialist area of neurosciences and MND.

They will independently manage a caseload of adults with acquired communication and / or swallowing disorders, actively participating in multidisciplinary decision making around patient care and developing service delivery initiatives. The post will include inpatient caseloads within neurology and neuro-surgery/neuro HDU, outpatient clinics (including the multidisciplinary MND clinic) and community visits.

The role includes;

Provision of advanced dysphagia management in patients who have a progressive neurological condition eg MND, PD, PSP, FTD. To assess deteriorating swallow safety, manage aspiration risks and guide complex discussions regarding non oral feeding such as PEG.

Working for our organisation

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.

We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Knowledge and skills

• Basic IT skills
• Audit and research experience
• Experience with use of electronic note systems e.g. SystmOne/EPR
• Knowledge of national and professional guidelines and evidence-based practice related to specialist area

Qualifications and training

• To hold a degree or relevant diploma in Speech & Language Therapy
• To be a registered member of the Health Care Professions Council
• To have post-graduate training in dysphagia (can be in house or external)
• Leadership qualifications or training
• Member of RCSLT

Experience

• To have substantial post graduate experience including work with neuro patients in an acute and community setting
• To have experience in the management of dysphagia, ideally including videofluoroscopy (or working towards)
• Experience of working within the NHS
• Evidence of relevant post graduate courses or study at Masters level or equivalent
• To have experience in management and/or supervising other staff members in a team

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.

At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.

We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.

We are here to supportyou throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Supporting disabled people and people with long‑term conditions

We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.

This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.

If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at Stees.Recruitment1@nhs.net or call us on 01642 854610

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship hereWork in the UK - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ).

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method

Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.

Please ensure you read the ‘Guidance Notes for Applicants’ document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

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.

Name Kathryn Dawson Job title Operational Lead Speech & Language Therapist Email address kathryn.dawson1@nhs.net Telephone number 01642 854497

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