About this role
Job summary
We are looking for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to manage and deliver Speech and Language Therapy services within the acute hospital setting, while also providing Health Board wide specialist leadership for frailty and elderly care pathways. The role includes contributing to county wide and wider Health Board service development.
The successful post-holder will work as part of the Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service and will have regular access to senior colleagues. We are a friendly and dynamic team who offer Continuing Professional Development, clinical and managerial supervision, and encourage staff to actively engage with service development and improvement. There is a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary team working throughout the Health Board and the Speech and Language Therapy Department has close support networks with other hospital teams and Community based services.
Applicants must have current HPC and RCSLT registration and be able to show evidence of CPD.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will provide highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention for adults with complex communication and/or dysphagia needs, primarily within acute frailty and elderly care services.
The post holder will:
Deliver clinical and professional leadership across a three-county remit, supporting consistent, high-quality Speech and Language Therapy practice within frailty and elderly care pathways. Lead the operational delivery and ongoing development of Speech and Language Therapy services within the acute setting, working with service leads to manage priorities, pressures and change. Act as a source of expert clinical advice across hospital sites, supporting multidisciplinary teams in managing complex communication and swallowing needs. Lead the development, implementation and review of clinical pathways, protocols and standards, ensuring alignment with evidence-based practice, clinical governance and national guidance. Support clinical governance activities, including audit, service evaluation and risk management. Lead and contribute to training, education and workforce development across the three counties, including staff supervision, student education and delivery of specialist training.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 18.06.2026
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge Essential
Degree in Speech and Language Therapy Completion of training/specialist courses relevant to area of clinical expertise, up to Master's Degree level, or has equivalent level of knowledge/experience with a commitment to complete postgraduate training to a Master's level Accredited post-basic dysphagia training with extensive experience of managing complex cases HCPC registration RCSLT Membership Member of Relevant CEN/SIG/PPG Knowledge and experience of working with patients who have complex communication and/or dysphagia needs to a highly specialist level including a wide range of specialist assessment tools and procedures and therapeutic interventions, as well as key policies, documents, guidelines and legislation relevant to the role. Basic knowledge of instrumental assessment including VFSS and FEES
Desirable
Training and experience in instrumental swallowing assessments, eg, FEES, VF Knowledge of a range of research approaches Understanding of principles of change management
Experience Essential
Extensive post registration clinical experience relevant to the post including proven caseload management, time management skills and management of changeProfiad l-gofrestru clinigol helaeth sy'n berthnasol i'r swydd, gan amlygu sgiliau rheoli llwyth achosion, rheoli amser, a rheoli newid Experience of audit / service evaluation Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences Supporting less experienced staff, including SLT Associate Practitioners, and SLT Student placements, inclusive of assessment, and experience of providing second opinions to SLTs and other professionals
Desirable
Demonstrable leadership experience Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh Supervision/line management of SLTs
Other Essential
Able to work in a variety of sites based upon service need Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner Flexible approach to service needs and in responding to work pressures
Desirable
Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
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 Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address Withybush General Hospital
Fishguard Road
Haverfordwest
SA61 2PZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)