About this role
Job summary
Adult Community / Stroke & NeurorehabilitationBand 6 | 2 x Full-time posts
Are you an enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist looking to develop your specialist skills within Adult SLT?
We have an exciting opportunity for two Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapists to join our friendly and supportive Adult SLT Service.
Post 1: Adult Community SLTWorking within our Community SLT Team, supporting adults with a range of acquired communication and swallowing difficulties across Hertfordshire.
Post 2: Stroke & NeurorehabilitationWorking across two specialist inpatient services: 3 days per week within the Stroke Unit at Lister Hospital and 2 days per week at Danesbury Neurological Rehabilitation Centre.
Our Adult SLT service works across Community, Acute, Stroke and Neurorehabilitation, with staff well connected across the wider service.
We welcome applications from experienced Band 6 SLTs and motivated Band 5 therapists ready to take the next step in their career within a supportive environment that encourages specialist skill development.
Please indicate in your supporting information whether you prefer the Community post, Stroke/Neurorehabilitation post, or would be happy to be considered for either.
*Proposed Interview date : 24th November 2026
Main duties of the job
As a Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, you will independently manage a specialist caseload of adults with acquired communication and/or swallowing difficulties.
You will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention, developing person-centred, evidence-based management plans in partnership with patients, families, carers and the multidisciplinary team.
You will provide advice and education to others, maintain high-quality clinical documentation, support safe transitions between services and participate in supervision and continuing professional development. You will also contribute to service development, audit and quality improvement and support students and SLT Assistants.
Community post: You will work autonomously within an established Community SLT team, supporting adults with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties, with support from experienced senior clinicians.
Stroke/Neurorehabilitation post: You will work 3 days per week within the Stroke Unit at Lister Hospital and 2 days at Danesbury Neurological Rehabilitation Centre, developing specialist skills in the assessment and management of adults with complex neurological communication and swallowing needs.
About us
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff. We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities.
Our staff are proud to be Caring, Pioneering and Inclusive in their work to help achieve the Trust vision . We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds.
We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date.
You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you.
The use of AI is monitored and if you have used it then you are required to declare this, as well as what type of AI tools you have used and for what purpose. We reserve the right to further test your individual knowledge and skills in relation to the requirements for the post through robust and thorough interview and assessment. You can apply to Access to Work to get money for communication support at a job interview - please use this link for more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-communication-support-at-a-job-interview-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-access-to-workYou need to apply before the interview takes place.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The SLT service offers the following
*Regular whole service and local team meetings*Multidisciplinary team working*Regular clinical supervision and annual appraisal*Access to clinical leads for advice/support ENT/Head and Neck Cancer, Fluency, Dysphagia, Progressive Neurological disorders, Stroke, Dementia.*In-service training, CPD support and opportunities for development*Encouragement to participate in service development projects*Excellent AAC provision and links to regional Hubs*Use of SystmOne as electronic patient record and mobile working*27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro rata where applicable)*One of the UK's best pension schemes* Special Leave for family and personal reasons*NHS Car Lease Scheme*Eye Care Vouchers*Employee Assistance Programme*NHS Discounts*Hertfordshire has good transport links to London and the surrounding areas
We value our staff and see clinical supervision as a priority both through senior supervision and peer support models. Annual appraisal and personal objective setting is a Trust priority.
The post-holders will work closely with the Speech and Language Therapy team and the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team to provide assessment, diagnosis and management of adults with acquired communication and swallowing needs and demonstrating effective clinical practice through continued learning, reflective practice and supervision. The post-holders will also be involved in providing support for more junior members of the team including newly qualified SLTs and SLTAs.
Full details in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.
Word versions of documents are available if needed to allow for any adaptations to be made i.e. font , colour, background, convert to read aloud.
HCT will prioritise recruitment of workers living in England under the new immigration rules for care workers effective from 9 April 2025. Employers must first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within England who needs new sponsorship. This ensures that those who came to the UK to pursue a career in adult social care can do so.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree
- Health Professions Council licence to practise
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Achievement of Dysphagia competencies
- Evidence of successful completion of specialist post graduate short courses relevant to the adult caseload
- Membership/attendance Special Interest Groups relevant to the post
Skills
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
- Highly developed hearing, concentration and perceptual skills
- Ability to transcribe/analyse speech phonetically
- Ability to negotiate with and influence people
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
- Well-established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to an adult client group including: Dysphagia/Dysphasia/Dysarthria/ Dyspraxia/Dysphonia/Dysfluency/Dysgra phia/ Dyslexia/Dementia
- Well-established knowledge of a range of relevant therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group (as above)
- Knowledge of professional standards including record keeping
- 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
- A good understanding of the roles of other professionals in acute, rehabilitation and community settings
- Well-established knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to adults
Desirable
- Attainment of Videofluoroscopy competencies
Personal Qualities
Essential
- 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
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work clinically, professionally and within the organisation
Other Requirements
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)
- Willingness to uphold the Trust's values
- Eligible to live and work in the UK
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
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Address
QE2 Hospital or Lister Hospital
Welwyn or Stevenage
AL7 1AU
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.hct.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)