Job summary
- Main area
- Speech & Language Therapies
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 193-7392428NCG
- Employer
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Berkshire Hospital
- Town
- Reading
- Salary
- £31,049 - £37,796 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Speech and Language Therapist - Stroke
NHS AfC: Band 5
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’. This is a great opportunity to join our clinical or non-clinical teams to create a positive and motivating environment within our trust. Come and join our team in this exciting time of change as we pride ourselves, our staff and our services on excellence.
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”
We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions
We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate
We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live
We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice
Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist to join our enthusiastic, inclusive and forward-thinking team at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. We are a team of 16 SLTs, working across a range of services including critical care, neurological services, general medicine and surgery, and ENT and Head & Neck services.
The post is based within the stroke team and is ideal for a newly qualified therapist or someone looking to consolidate core skills in stroke management. The successful candidate will be supported with the RCSLT Newly Qualified Practitioner Competency Framework and the Dysphagia Competency Framework, through regular supervision, joint working and access to in-house training.
The post holder will work as part of a well-established, forward thinking multidisciplinary team delivering high quality, patient centred care across the hyperacute and acute stroke pathway. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop clinical and professional skills within a structured and nurturing environment.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide assessment and therapy for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties following stroke, working across the hyper acute and acute stroke pathway. You will manage a caseload with support, contribute to MDT decision making and participate in ward rounds and goal setting. As a newly qualified practitioner (NQP), you will be supported by experienced SLTs to develop your skills and complete the RCSLT NQP competencies and dysphagia competencies. You will have access to regular supervision, peer support and CPD opportunities. The role will include liaising with families, supporting safe discharge planning and ensuring timely and effective communication with community services.
Working for our organisation
We are one of the largest hospital foundation trusts in the country, and currently touch the lives of half a million patients in the west of Berkshire every year by providing high quality acute medical and surgical services for our local communities.
Our values:
- Compassionate
- Aspirational
- Resourceful
- Excellent
The town of Reading sits on the River Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford, and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work, and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.
The CQC recently rated the care provided by The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as good.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further details, please see the job description and person specification included in the job advertisement.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent licence to practice
- Registered member of HCPC
Desirable criteria
- Registered member of RCSLT
- Completion of RCSLT NQP competencies and RCLST Dysphagia competencies
Experience
Essential criteria
- Undergraduate experience in clinical areas relevant to post
- Experience of working within MDT
Desirable criteria
- Post graduate experience in relevant clinical areas
- Membership of relevant CENs
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to client group
- Understanding of role of other MDT professionals
- Awareness of national policies and procedures relevant to post
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to recognise own clinical experience and boundaries and seek support as required
- Negotiation and problem solving skills
Desirable criteria
- experience working through interpreters to deliver assessment and therapy
- Prioritisation skills
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Natasha Bruce
- Job title
- Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0118 322 5205
- Additional information
Katie Morris
Professional lead for Speech and Language Therapy
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