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Job summary

Main area
Speech & Language Therapy
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
252-7434583
Employer
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Darent Valley Hospital
Town
Dartford
Salary
£32,602 - £39,686 Inc high cost area
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust logo

Developing Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Band 5

Job overview

We are excited to recruit a full-time permanent Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to work with inpatients at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, on the South-East London/North-West Kent border. We would consider appointing a newly qualified or established Developing Specialist SLT with the required profile and enthusiasm. We are situated near South-East London with good transport links, where an additional 5% high cost of living allowance applies. We pride ourselves in being a friendly, proactive and flexible team.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will work with inpatients on the acute wards including respiratory, gastroenterology, general medical, surgical and care of the elderly. There may also be an element of inpatient stroke management depending on service needs.

The post holder will be working alongside our team of 17 staff: Highly Specialist SLT Team Leads, Specialist and developing Specialist SLTs, SLT Assistants and administrators.  There are well established Inpatient, Outpatient and Macmillan teams, and excellent team administrative support.

Working for our organisation

The post holder will work towards becoming independent in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. They will be an integral member of the Adult SLT team and will gain the opportunity to provide training to other healthcare professionals. The successful candidate will be able to access support from lead specialist therapists in areas of voice, dementia, palliative care, stroke/neurology, tracheostomy, and head & neck cancer. There are also on-site weekly videofluoroscopy and FEES clinics, and access to the off-site Voice Clinic.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For newly qualified practitioners, we have a preceptorship and an in-house dysphagia programme, which enable RCSLT and dysphagia competencies to be completed.  The chosen candidate will also receive excellent supervision from the well-established and well-resourced SLT team. There is access to informal and formal training and CPD opportunities, where learning and sharing is strongly encouraged.  We strive for ongoing service development, and regular participation in projects and audits, and cross-discipline working is highly valued. We are passionate about our team and profession, and actively raise the profile of Speech and Language Therapy including on our X account @dgt_sltdvh

Please watch our recruitment video to hear more.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ZCMlSDW0o

We would be very excited to welcome another passionate SLT into our team!

If you are interested in this post and would like any more information, please email [email protected] or telephone 01322 428593 to discuss the post further. You are also very welcome to visit the Department.  We would be very pleased to hear from you.

Person specification

Education and Training

Essential criteria
  • Recognised Speech & Language Therapist degree qualification or equivalent
  • Evidence of CPD
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses including dysphagia

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with adult clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties
  • Experience working in a hospital setting
Desirable criteria
  • Completion of Kings Dysphagia Supervision Schedule or equivalent
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group
  • Knowledge of range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group
  • Awareness of standards of clinical record keeping
  • Working knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and audit and their application to professional practice
Desirable criteria
  • Publication in appropriate journals, etc
  • Proficient use of computer packages such as word, excel, publisher

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoAge positiveInvestors in PeopleCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerArmed Forces Covenant Bronze Award

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.

Application numbers

Please be aware the vacancy may close once we have received sufficient numbers of applications.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rhiannon Hunnisett
Job title
Acute Lead SLT
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01322 428593
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