Job summary
- Main area
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Compressed hours
- Job ref
- 382-CS41-26
- Employer
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ansdell Medical Centre / Centre for Independent Living
- Town
- Lytham St Annes / Blackpool
- Salary
- £32,073 - £39,043 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 15/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Speech and Language Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 5
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people.
We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.
We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as: part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.
Job overview
Are you ready to take the next step in your career as a Speech and Language Therapist? Do you have a passion for supporting patients on their rehabilitation journey in a vibrant community setting? If you’re a Band 5 ready to specialise and develop your expertise, or a newly qualified therapist - this could be the perfect opportunity for you!
Become a valued member of the Integrated Community Stroke and Neuro Rehab Service (ICSNRS), where you’ll collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of dedicated professionals, including case managers, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation assistants, a dietitian, and an Advanced Clinical Practitioner. Together, we deliver high-quality, patient-centred rehabilitation for individuals recovering from stroke, neurological conditions, or brain injury across Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre.
What makes this role special?
- Diverse clinical experience
- Collaborative environment
- Professional growth
- Passionare and supportive team environment
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work across the Stroke and Neuro pathways working with patients in their own homes and some community clinics.
Main duties of the job
The variety of Stroke and Neuro patients that we come across daily will allow you to extend your clinical knowledge and clinical knowledge and skills in this field of practice.
Working within the service requires you to demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills and forward thinking. The ability to work within a fast-paced and pressured environment is essential, along with having excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate must have a passion for learning, while demonstrating high levels of drive to improve their own skills and knowledge. You must also be patient-centred in your approach to your clinical practice.
Previous experience of stroke and neurology would be welcomed whether that be in a qualified setting or as a student, but this is not essential and a training package will be provided to the successful candidate.
Working for our organisation
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the Fylde Coast. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.
As one of the United Kingdom’s largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents – it’s not just a good place to work; it’s a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To provide specialist assessment, treatment and rehabilitation to patients who have acquired communication and/or swallowing disorders utilising current evidence-based practice to interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical information to form accurate diagnoses and develop comprehensive management and treatment plans.
- To contribute to the assessment of a patients’ mental capacity and to assist patients to maximise their independence in decision-making and communicating their wishes.
- To participate in MDT, Best Interest and Family Meetings. Providing information, evidence and advice regarding communication and swallowing disorders.
- To ensure patients and carers are involved in developing relevant goals and treatment programmes wherever possible.
- To adapt practice to meet individual patients’ circumstances including cultural and linguistic differences.
- To help and advise colleagues, other members of the MDT, relatives and carers on the best course of intervention, including discharge planning
- To liaise with other departmental staff and provide advice / second opinions when required by colleagues within and outside the department.
- To follow departmental policies and procedures regarding admission to and discharge from the service, including the prioritisation of referrals.
- To be responsible for managing own clinical caseload, delegating tasks to junior SLT clinicians and therapy assistants, and maintaining accurate records of work.
- To work flexibly within the service, working in patients’ homes, across different sites or within other areas when required to do so
- To work collaboratively with other agencies as part of a multidisciplinary/multiagency team, to ensure effective service provision.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of latest professional and national guidelines regarding best practice including but not limited to NICE Stroke Guidelines and RCSLT guidance.
- Maintain up to date knowledge regarding infection prevention and control and promotion of this across the team and wider community.
- To provide support and supervision to junior members for the team and leading on student placements.
We pride ourselves on the quality of care we deliver through patient-centred goal-setting and collaborative working within the MDT. We work closely with our Speech and Language Therapy colleagues in the acute and community settings. We have robust clinical supervision, an individualised job plan (which includes protected service development / audit time and regular clinical supervision) and line management processes to further encourage the development of colleagues' specialist skills and interests. This is alongside a structured in-service training programme with associated protected CPD time. This role would also include working alongside other SLT’s to collaborate on evidence-based practice, service development and for peer support.
The post holder will provide assessment and intervention to address communication and swallowing difficulties, using their expertise to maximise patient communication and management of dysphagia. The SLT team can provide appropriate support to achieve RCSLT EDS competencies at a ‘proficient’ level.
Person specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria
- Honours Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered member of HCPC & RCSLT
- Evidence of applicable CPD activity
- EDS competencies
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of relevant specialist post graduate courses in dysphagia.
- Evidence of successful post graduate training in videofluoroscopy/FEES.
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of current best practice and experience in the diagnosis, treatment and management of a wide range of swallowing and communication difficulties relevant to this caseload.
- Knowledge of RCSLT Professional and Clinical Guidelines/Policies both locally and nationally relevant to this post.
- Knowledge of principles surrounding consent, Mental Capacity Act (2005) & safeguarding
Desirable criteria
- Experience of MDT working in specific clinical area.
- Experience of working with speech and language therapy assistants.
- Experience in the clinical education of speech and language therapy students.
- Knowledge of the principles surrounding audits, clinical research and quality issues
SKILLS AND ABILITY
Essential criteria
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to work well in a team and autonomously
- Confidently able to use initiative and able to take appropriate responsibilities.
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
- Competent IT skills
- UK Driving License & access to a car for work purposes
Desirable criteria
- Willingness to supervise SLT students
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
- Naomi Hodgkinson
- Job title
- Service Manager ICSNRS
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01253 953 279
- Additional information
Alternative contact:
Lucy Williamson
Clinical Lead SLT, ICSNRS
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
BTH
- Telephone
- 03033 301 033
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