Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job summary

This is a Band 6, Speech and Language Therapy clinical role within the Merton Community Team (37.5 hours per week).

The post holder will provide a specialist clinical speech and language therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment service as part of the Merton Community Neuro Rehab / Community SLT Team on a virtual and / or domiciliary basis across Merton.

The service includes clients with a wide range of acquired communication and swallowing difficulties, such as stroke and head injury, and those who have a degenerative condition and need support to manage disability and quality of life. The service also provides input for clients who have cognitive-communication and vocational rehabilitation needs.

The post holder will be an integral member of the multidisciplinary neuro rehab team, in addition to the wider speech and language therapy team across CLCH, acting as a resource to other medical, nursing, therapy and social services staff and voluntary agencies and as an interface link for Speech and Language Therapy with acute providers.

The post holder will undertake teaching and research in relevant specialist areas for a wide range of other professionals, as appropriate.

The post holder will support self and service development through active participation in continuing professional development and by participating in any audit or research being undertaken by the service.

Main duties of the job

• Provide a specialist speech and language therapy clinical role within the neuro team.
• Co-develop and provide appropriate specialist speech and language therapy assessments and interventions.
• Facilitate group work and peer mentoring for people affected by a neurological condition, alongside the MDT.
• Carry out specialist physical examination of the orofacial process including the mechanism of eating, drinking and swallowing.
• Monitor all aspects of the interaction of significant others with clients.
• Make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment, using evidence-based practice and outcome measurement to provide the most effective treatment to clients and their families within clearly defined care plans.
• Use clinical judgement and specialist skills to evaluate deterioration in clients' health status and report same as appropriate to other health services (in particular, regarding dysphagia).
• To adapt practice to meet individual client's and families' circumstances, including due regard for specific clinical conditions affecting their speech and language and / or cognitive, cultural, religious and linguistic differences.
• Please see full Job Description for additional duties.

Find out more information about working and living in South West London here - https://clch.nhs.uk/job/working-clch/clch-southwestlondon#!/select_sector

About us

We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.

What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life's most important moments.

Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.

We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high-quality care.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Applicants are expected to present clear and relevant evidence of the competencies and responsibilities detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification, together with a demonstrated commitment to the Trusts values of Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment.

**Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full roles and responsibilities.**

Job description
Job responsibilities

Applicants are expected to present clear and relevant evidence of the competencies and responsibilities detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification, together with a demonstrated commitment to the Trusts values of Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment.

**Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full roles and responsibilities.**

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Speech-Language Therapy
• Health & Care Professions Council Registration

Desirable

• Membership of the Royal College of Speech-Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Membership of Special Interest Group e.g. SALT neurological practice
• Educated to Masters level in specialist SALT field relevant to the role or equivalent combination of post graduate education, courses and experience in neuro SALT
• Experience in neuro rehab and community working

Experience

Essential

• Appraisals using KSF
• Clinical Teaching
• Use of reflective practice and supervising others
• Experience of service development
• Experience of provision of work for patients presenting with dysphagia and communication impairments
• Experience of working in a range of community and / or acute NHS settings

Desirable

• Undertaken clinical audit
• Research experience
• Experience of working in the NHS
• Experience of working with adults with a variety of long-term conditions and neurological conditions

Skills

Essential

• Specialist knowledge and understanding of complex neurological conditions including clients with multiple pathologies
• Specialist skills in the assessment and treatment of adults with communication and swallowing difficulties in the context of complex long-term conditions
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice and outcome measures associated with neurological conditions and older people
• Knowledge and experience of working with a wider multi-disciplinary team
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical guidelines across a variety of long-term conditions e.g. stroke, Parkinson's
• Advanced clinical note writing and report writing skills, in both verbal and written format

Desirable

• EMIS clinical system experience

Person Specification
Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Speech-Language Therapy
• Health & Care Professions Council Registration

Desirable

• Membership of the Royal College of Speech-Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Membership of Special Interest Group e.g. SALT neurological practice
• Educated to Masters level in specialist SALT field relevant to the role or equivalent combination of post graduate education, courses and experience in neuro SALT
• Experience in neuro rehab and community working

Experience

Essential

• Appraisals using KSF
• Clinical Teaching
• Use of reflective practice and supervising others
• Experience of service development
• Experience of provision of work for patients presenting with dysphagia and communication impairments
• Experience of working in a range of community and / or acute NHS settings

Desirable

• Undertaken clinical audit
• Research experience
• Experience of working in the NHS
• Experience of working with adults with a variety of long-term conditions and neurological conditions

Skills

Essential

• Specialist knowledge and understanding of complex neurological conditions including clients with multiple pathologies
• Specialist skills in the assessment and treatment of adults with communication and swallowing difficulties in the context of complex long-term conditions
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice and outcome measures associated with neurological conditions and older people
• Knowledge and experience of working with a wider multi-disciplinary team
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical guidelines across a variety of long-term conditions e.g. stroke, Parkinson's
• Advanced clinical note writing and report writing skills, in both verbal and written format

Desirable

• EMIS clinical system experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

Central London Community Health Trust
Address

Merton Civic Centre

London Road

Morden

SM4 5DX

United Kingdom

Employer's website