Job summary
- Main area
- Acute Healthcare
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent: 0.8wte
- Hours
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 252-8182026-A
- Employer
- Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- SLT Department
- Town
- Dartford
- Salary
- Dependent on experience
- Closing
- 26/08/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Acute Lead Speech & Language Therapist
Band 7
Job overview
Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – Acute Inpatient Team 0.8wte - Permanent
The Adult SLT team at Darent Valley Hospital have an exciting opportunity for a part‑time [0.8wte] permanent Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join our team at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. We are also happy to consider part‑time working or a job‑share arrangement for the right candidate. This is a key leadership role within a dynamic, forward‑thinking team serving a diverse caseload, including the hospital’s 15‑bedded Intensive Care Unit.
Located close to South-East London with strong transport links, the Trust also offers a 5% high‑cost area supplement. Our team is known for being friendly, proactive and adaptable, with a strong commitment to high‑quality patient care and professional development.
Main duties of the job
You will play an active role in shaping the service through:
Clinical governance, service evaluation and ongoing development
Line management and supervision of SLT colleagues
Leading and contributing to audits, quality improvement projects and training initiatives
Delivering teaching across wards and multidisciplinary teams
Supporting junior SLTs, SLTAs and students
Working for our organisation
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you’ll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.
We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.
If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a detailed description of the Job roles and responsibilities, please see the attached job description
Person specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- • Highly specialist knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group • Knowledge of range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically • Excellent interpersonal skills • Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills • IT Literate
Education and Training
Essential criteria
- • Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent • Health and Care Professions Council – Licence to Practise • Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses • Evidence of CPD relevant to role
Desirable criteria
- • Leadership training or qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- • Significant postgraduate experience in associated specialties • Experience of management of a wide range of complex pathologies • Experience in supervision and clinical education of more junior staff, students and assistants
Desirable criteria
- • Experience of tracheostomy assessment and management • Experience carrying out videofluoroscopy and/or FEES assessment including analysis and report writing • Experience in line management
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
- Libby Garner
- Job title
- Adult SLT Team Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01322 428593
- Additional information
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