About this role
Job summary
Are you an experienced Speech and Language Therapist looking for your next challenge?Do you thrive on autonomy, clinicalcomplexityand multidisciplinary collaboration?Would you love the opportunity to shape and develop specialist SLT provision within mental health inpatient services?
If so, this could be the perfect next step in your career.
We are looking for aproactive, passionate,motivatedand highly specialist SLTto join our Adult and Older Persons Mental Health Inpatient Units in Norwich. You will work as an integral part of a dynamic,skilled and supportive MDT - including psychologists, nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical supportworkersand assistant practitioners.
In this rewarding role, you will support individuals with complex mental and physical health needs, helping them regain independence, build meaningful communication pathways, and make informed decisions about their care. Your work will directly influence recovery, socialinclusionand safe,timelydischarge.
If you thrive in environments where you can use yourexpertise, shape service delivery, and make a genuine difference every day - we would love to hear from you.
Please note the Job Description is pending Job Evaluation.
Main duties of the job
(Full detail available in the Job Description and Recruitment Pack)
In this role, you will:
Providehighlyspecialist assessment, diagnosis and managementof communication and dysphagia needs for adults and older people within mental health inpatient settings
Autonomously manage awide-ranging and complex clinical caseload, working within professional and Trust frameworks
Work closely with the MDT, service users,familiesand partner agencies toimprove outcomes and supporttimelydischarge
Identifyunmet SLT needs, undertake audit/screeningsand help shape improvements in service delivery
Lead on training, teaching and upskilling colleagues across the MDT, wider workforce,carersand partner organisations
Contribute to service development,innovationand quality improvement
Provide supervision and leadership to junior SLT staff and students
Engage with research, evidence-basedpracticeand specialist clinical pathways
This is a highly impactful role where your clinical voice and leadership genuinely matter.
About us
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.
Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.
Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.
Job description Job responsibilities
Person Specification (Summary)
(Full criteria detailed in the Job Description & Person Specification)
Qualifications
Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
Postgraduate dysphagia training & competency
HCPC registration
RCSLT membership
Leadership training or willingness to undertake
Trained in objective dysphagia assessment
Experience
Broad experience as an SLT
Experience within mental health settings
Autonomous clinical decision-making
Teaching/training experience
Evidence of service development or quality improvement
Skills & Knowledge
Skilled in a range of SLT assessments and interventions
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Strong organisational abilities andaccuraterecord keeping
Understanding of relevant legislation, NICEguidanceand clinical best practice
Ability to manage complexity and work collaboratively
Other
Ability to travel between Trust sites
Flexible, compassionate,resilientand team-focused
Able to undertake physical intervention training
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree in Speech and Language Therapy HCPC Registration Registered full practicing member of the RCSLT Trained in objective dysphagia assessment (e.g. cervical auscultation)
Desirable
Post graduate certificates in specialist areas of SLT Evidence of further training within communication (e.g Talking Mats, ADOS)
Experience Essential
Experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist in the field of mental health. Experience of delivering presentations/ teaching/ training
Desirable
Experience of reviewing, developing, and implementing speech and language therapy care pathways.
Skills Essential
Experience and skills in working with a range of SLT assessments, formulations, and interventions Ability to manage conflict and complexity
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge and experience of specialist speech and language assessments, interventions, and outcome measures. Knowledge of other relevant local and national documents/drivers that affects practice.
Other Essential
Ability to travel to all Trust locations if required.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Address Julian Hospital, Norwich
Bowthorpe Road
Norwich
NR2 3TD
Employer's website https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)