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Job summary

Main area
Speech and Language Therapy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (At The Dudley Group, we understand the benefits of offering a range of flexible working options from day one of employment to support both employees and the Trust. Offering flexible working opportunities is one of the ways that the Trust aims to attract and retain a diverse workforce. Further information on the options available can be found via the link in the job advert.)
Hours
Part time - 22.5 hours per week
Job ref
253-0626-8051096
Employer
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Russells Hall Hospital
Town
Dudley
Salary
£49,387 - £56,515 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/07/2026 23:59

Employer heading

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust logo

Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

Lead Speech & Language Therapist – Urgent Care Pathway (Fixed Term – Maternity Cover)
We are seeking an experienced and motivated clinician to work alongside the Speech and Language Therapy Lead and wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) to review, plan, and coordinate SLT provision across the urgent care pathway.
This is a fixed-term opportunity to cover maternity leave, offering an excellent chance to step into a key leadership role within a developing and dynamic service. It provides valuable experience in service development, operational leadership, and pathway redesign, ideal for clinicians looking to broaden their skills and advance their career.
The role is designed to support patient flow across the organisation, and the successful candidate will play a central role in driving service development and change, becoming an integral member of urgent care teams.
 
Introduction to the Therapy Department at The Dudley Group on Vimeo 

Please see the video link below:

Introduction To The Therapy Department At The Dudley Group On Vimeo

Main duties of the job

Job Overview Continued
A core element of the role will be to develop and deliver education and training to the wider MDT, supporting timely and appropriate referrals into Speech and Language Therapy and enhancing the overall quality of care.
You will provide clinical and operational leadership for the acute inpatient SLT service, including elements of staff management, service development, and day-to-day coordination of SLT provision. As a senior member of the clinical team, you will also maintain a visible and active clinical presence.
The role will focus on improving early assessment and intervention for patients with communication and swallowing needs, particularly within urgent care areas. You will also support continuity of care by following patients admitted via urgent care through to other acute wards, working collaboratively with ward teams as part of the wider caseload
 
To work as a Highly Specialist SLT in dysphagia and communication across all Emergency clinical areas and Acute Adult inpatient wards, supporting the Acute Team of Speech and Language Therapists. To develop strong links with key members of the multidisciplinary team, providing training as required.
 

Working for our organisation

At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of “excellent health care, improved health for all”.  We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.

As part of the NHS People Promise, your wellbeing is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance supported by our flexible working options and by making reasonable adjustments where possible.  We believe no-one should have to sacrifice family, friends, or their personal interests for work.  We are a modern employer able to attract and retain high quality staff through our commitment to the NHS People Promise.

As an employer, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. We want to ensure that our workforce is representative of the population we serve. More information - inclusive practice people promise.

Dudley Group offer many opportunities for our staff to develop and grow within their roles through our Learning & OD Team. These include topics such as communication, wellbeing, team development, cultural competency, and values. 

Please click below to view our EDI page: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion - The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (dgft.nhs.uk)

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.

Person specification

Qualifications and Education

Essential criteria
  • Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
  • Registered with HCPC
  • Evidence of attendance at recent post graduate specialist courses relevant to the clinical field
  • Post graduate dysphagia training internal or external course
  • Qualification in Advanced Dysphagia Management
  • Member of RCSLT
Desirable criteria
  • MSc in relevant clinical area or equivalent post-graduate courses
  • Practice Educators qualification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of managing highly complex patients in critical care
  • Experience of supervising and appraising staff
  • Competent in Dysphagia assessment
  • Extensive relevant clinical experience at post graduate level
  • Experience of teaching and supervising undergraduate students
  • Experience of facilitating service development
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of audit and research
  • Experience of FEES in tracheostomy

Communication Skills

Essential criteria
  • Good presentation skills written and verbal
  • Commitment and motivation to deliver a quality service
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm for role
  • Willingness to work flexibly
  • Ability to work as part of a team
Desirable criteria
  • Representing department or Trust at local/national level

Knowledge and Training

Essential criteria
  • Good knowledge of IT software packages eg word, excel
  • Extensive post graduate experience and specialist knowledge of SLT assessments and treatment in area of specialism
  • Robust knowledge of current best practice and clinical guidelines of SLT in area of specialism
  • Good knowledge of health and safety and risk management
  • Relevant post-graduate clinical work and CPD at senior level
  • Commitment to personal and team development
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
  • Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment, and management of patients with tracheostomies, including ventilated patients
Desirable criteria
  • Leadership training

Planning Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities
  • Able to organise and delegate workload

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to reflect upon and critically appraise staff and own performance
Desirable criteria
  • Publication in appropriate journals

Management Skills

Essential criteria
  • Able to motivate staff and others
  • To flexibly work across locations or across 7 days as needed
  • Able to work under pressure

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Care Leaver CovenantNHS Pastoral CareArmed Forces Covenant Bronze AwardENEI 2024 Gold

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Louise Brookes
Job title
Therapy Lead Orthotics & Adult SLT Manager.
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01384 456111
Additional information

For further details please contact:

Louise Brookes 

Therapy Lead
Orthotics & Adult SLT Manager.

(01384) 456111 Ext 4566

[email protected]

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