Specialist Speech and Language Therapist @ Central London Community Health Trust

Job summary

CLCH Hertfordshire Adult Community Services - CLCH NHS Trust provides a range of Community Services, and the Hertfordshire Division is recruiting!

We are seeking a Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our dedicated and supportive team on a fixed term basis until October 2027.

You will work with adults in their own homes and outpatient clinics across West Hertfordshire, supporting people with a range of medical conditions and acquired communication and swallowing disorders, including voice difficulties. Working across a varied caseload will give you the opportunity to further develop your knowledge and expertise in acquired speech, language and swallowing disorders.

Dysphagia competencies and experience of managing dysphagia are essential to this role.

As this is a community-based role, with travel between patient homes, there is a requirement to hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Main duties of the job

You will manage adults with acquired communication and swallowing needs across clinics, care homes and patients' homes in West Hertfordshire. You will book patients from the waiting list, plan follow-up appointments and reviews, attend Speech and Language Therapy team meetings and work closely with the multidisciplinary team and other professionals, including writing clinical reports.

You will independently complete specialist assessments, use your clinical knowledge to make appropriate decisions and differential diagnoses, and develop evidence-based care plans covering treatment, advice, review, discharge and communication with patients, carers and colleagues. You will adapt care plans as patients' needs and goals change and determine when individual or group therapy is most appropriate.

You will also assess the need for communication equipment, including high- and low-tech aids, coordinate trials or purchase where appropriate, support patients and carers to use equipment, and support Band 5 Speech and Language Therapists.

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.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• An appropriate qualification to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Health and Care Professions Council licence to practise.
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Dysphagia-trained to an advanced level.
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses and/or relevant experience up to Master's degree equivalent.
• Membership/attendance at relevant Special Interest Groups

Experience

Essential

• Experience relevant to an adult caseload.
• Management of dysphagia in acute, rehabilitation, community, OP settings.
• Able to demonstrate the application of in depth, new and ongoing learning and experience to clinical practice.
• Experience in the provision of training for others.
• Well-established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to an adult client group including: Dysphagia/Dysphasia/Dysarthria/ Dyspraxia/Dysphonia/Dysfluency/Dysgraphia/ Dyslexia/Dementia.
• Well-established knowledge of a range of relevant therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group (as above).
• Well-established knowledge of the management of people with progressive neurological conditions.
• Knowledge of the range and applications of communication aids.
• Knowledge of the application and protocol for use of videofluoroscopy.
• Knowledge of professional standards including record keeping.
• A good understanding of the roles of other professionals in acute, rehabilitation and community settings.
• A well-established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to adults.
• A good understanding of the application of research and audit systems.
• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the application and protocol for use of videofluoroscopy.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Good presentation skills in both verbal and written form.
• Good organisational skills including prioritisation.
• Ability to independently integrate complex information to manage individual clients.
• Ability to negotiate with and influence people.
• Highly developed hearing, concentration and perceptual skills.
• Ability to transcribe/analyse speech phonetically.
• Demonstrates an ability to be an effective team member.
• High level of interpersonal communication skills including observation, listening, empathy and sensitivity.
• Ability to manage the emotional consequences of working with patients with distressing conditions.
• Ability to reflect on, analyse and develop own performance.
• Ability to self-monitor and seek support/advice as appropriate. oFlexible and adaptable approach to work clinically, professionally and within the organisation.

Key Attributes

Essential

• A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

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 NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Central London Community Health Trust

Address

BRE Building 16, BRE Science Park

Building Research Establishment

Watford

WD25 9XX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://clch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)