Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical Support
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 408-25-702
- Employer
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St Catherine's Health Centre
- Town
- Birkenhead
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 14/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Senior Speech and Language Therapist
Band 6
To discover why you should consider applying for a role at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, please watch our video and hear directly from our staff about what it’s truly like to work at WUTH and its surrounding areas: https://youtu.be/Z5oMaNXprn8
Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a Speech & Language Therapist (Band 6) to join our Community Paediatrics Team, based at St Catherine's Health Centre. We are looking for a dedicated Speech & Language Therapist who is passionate about using their skills to contribute to the assessment and therapeutic care of children in Community Paediatrics on the ND pathway.
The post-holder will have experience in working with children of all ages who are experiencing difficulties in any aspect of communication and/or associated swallowing problems.
A recognised qualification in Speech & Language Therapy and HCPC registration are required, along with membership of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.
Main duties of the job
• Utilise communication and motivation skills to engage in therapeutic process.
• To organise and carry out specialist Speech & Language Therapy in various settings.
• To ensure timely and comprehensive documentation.
• To maintain clinical professional development
• Utilise dysphagia skills to assess patients working closely with the MDT.
• Manage complex dysphagia caseload with support.
• Work closely with the multi-disciplinary team for the management of patients with communication and swallowing difficulties.
Working for our organisation
All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as “competent and caring staff” by our patients.
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.
We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral’s only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.
We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.
The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- As a skilled clinician, assess, plan and deliver individualised programme of intervention evaluating the effectiveness for patients presenting with diverse and complex problems. Giving advice to patients and their carers when required.
- Prioritise and plan own caseload according to needs of the patient and resources available. Gain advice and support from a Senior Speech and Language Therapist
when required, clinical work is not routinely monitored by others. - Working with the Team Leader proactively contribute to the discussions on service.
and policy development and implement in the workplace as directed. - Be responsible for the effective manual and computer recording of patient interventions accurately and appropriately, following Service/ Trust Policy.
- Be responsible for the collection/input of clinical information and statistics for patients.
- Be responsible for producing timely, accurate and informative clinical reports for other agencies as required.
- Identify the current and potential future needs of the patient and be responsible for initiating appropriate referrals to a variety of internal and external agencies.
- Undertake evidence based audit projects making recommendations and where appropriate implement agreed, specific changes to practice within the team.
- Responsible for own competency to practice through CPD maintaining a professional portfolio, including reflective practice and participating in the supervision and appraisal process.
- Deputise for senior staff in their absence, taking responsibility for operational management of the team, allocating and organising the work of junior and support staff to meet service priorities on a daily basis and to be responsible for the clinical work of the Team leader in their absence when appropriate.
Please see attached Job Description for further information about the Senior Speech and Language Therapist position available at WUTH.
Person specification
Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training
Essential criteria
- Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- Current HCPC registration
- Registered member of the College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Recognised study at post graduate level
- Appropriate level of Speech and Language therapy experience, in a range of relevant specialities
- Managing own caseload with minimum direction/ support
- Experience of a variety of assessment techniques suitable for adults
- Has experience of working with complex cases alongside or with supervision from a highly specialist therapist
Desirable criteria
- Experience in evidence based practice or audit.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Completion of dysphagia competencies
- IT literate
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Knowledge of current trends in the management of communication and / or swallowing
- Knowledge of Total Communication
Desirable criteria
- Good level of understanding of patient needs and customer care
- Knowledge of key NHS initiatives and goals
- Knowledge and experience of clinical governance/audit
- Knowledge of relevant national policies and procedures
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Able to work in difficult, distracting environments, with challenging clients and where intense levels of concentration are required
Desirable criteria
- Ability to work as an integral member of an MDT
Other Requirements
Desirable criteria
- Membership of an appropriate clinical excellence network
Personal Attributes
Desirable criteria
- Professional appearance and attitude
- Can convey ideas and information in a confident and easily understood manner, both written and verbal
Other Requirements
Desirable criteria
- Ability to be flexible and meet the needs of the service.
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
- Rachel Beazer
- Job title
- Speech and Language Therapy Team Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01516785111
- Additional information
Kate Gallagher, Team Leader Children's Speech & Language Therapy, Wirral Community Health and Care NHS FT; [email protected]
Fiona Sinnott, Specialist Services Manager, Wirral Community Health and Care NHS FT, [email protected]
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