Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Following the successful Stroke Investment Business Case exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join our specialist Stroke Team based within the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) and Acute Stroke Unit (ASU) at Southmead Hospital.

This role offers the opportunity to develop and enhance specialist skills in the assessment and management of adults with communication and swallowing disorders following stroke. You will work as part of a highly experienced multidisciplinary team, providing evidence-based assessment and management within a fast-paced acute environment. The role includes opportunities to develop expertise in instrumental swallowing assessment, alongside service development, quality improvement, staff supervision and MDT teaching opportunities.

We are looking for a therapist who:

• Has experience of assessing and managing adults with communication and swallowing difficulties, including achievement of level C competence in dysphagia.
• Demonstrates strong clinical reasoning, excellent communication skills and a commitment to person-centred care.
• Enjoys working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and is keen to further develop specialist stroke competencies

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive and innovative team with a strong focus on clinical excellence, professional development and service improvement.

Main duties of the job

This role is based in the stroke team but there may be future opportunities to move to other caseloads.

The role is to:

• Provide specialist speech and language therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment for adults with communication and swallowing disorders resulting from stroke and, as required, other neurological conditions, neurosurgery, medical conditions and long-term health needs
• Work as a member of the specialist SLT team delivering assessment, advice, rehabilitation and management for adults with acquired communication and swallowing difficulties
• Liaise closely with multidisciplinary teams, primary care providers and partner agencies to ensure coordinated patient care.
• Develop and maintain specialist knowledge and skills in dysphagia and communication disorders, including instrumental dysphagia assessment critical care, tracheostomy and ventilator-dependent patient management where applicable.

About us

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.

Details

Date posted

01 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

339-CCS5802-LGG

Job locations

Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• Independently manage and prioritise a specialist caseload.
• Assess, diagnose and manage complex communication and swallowing disorders.
• Communicate complex, sensitive and potentially distressing information to patients, carers and professionals.
• Adapt communication methods to overcome barriers associated with aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive impairment, hearing impairment and altered consciousness.
• Provide verbal and written reports to multidisciplinary teams and external agencies.
• Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Negotiate care plans and therapy goals with patients, carers and members of the MDT.
• Make decisions regarding referral, discharge and onward specialist investigations
• Manage complex clinical situations with support from senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Participate in audit, service evaluation and QI projects.

Job responsibilities

• Independently manage and prioritise a specialist caseload.
• Assess, diagnose and manage complex communication and swallowing disorders.
• Communicate complex, sensitive and potentially distressing information to patients, carers and professionals.
• Adapt communication methods to overcome barriers associated with aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive impairment, hearing impairment and altered consciousness.
• Provide verbal and written reports to multidisciplinary teams and external agencies.
• Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Negotiate care plans and therapy goals with patients, carers and members of the MDT.
• Make decisions regarding referral, discharge and onward specialist investigations
• Manage complex clinical situations with support from senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Participate in audit, service evaluation and QI projects.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registration / Licence to Practise
• Achievement of level C competence in dysphagia

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

• Specialist knowledge of adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders
• Specialist knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders in stroke, neurology, neurosurgery and elderly care
• Ability to undertake independent caseload management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Experience

Essential

• Postgraduate experience managing adults with communication and swallowing disorders
• Experience working within MDT settings

Desirable

• Experience working in acute inpatient settings

Personal qualities

Essential

• Ability to work independently and use initiative appropriately
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload effectively
• Reflective practitioner who seeks feedback and learning opportunities

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registration / Licence to Practise
• Achievement of level C competence in dysphagia

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

• Specialist knowledge of adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders
• Specialist knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders in stroke, neurology, neurosurgery and elderly care
• Ability to undertake independent caseload management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Experience

Essential

• Postgraduate experience managing adults with communication and swallowing disorders
• Experience working within MDT settings

Desirable

• Experience working in acute inpatient settings

Personal qualities

Essential

• Ability to work independently and use initiative appropriately
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload effectively
• Reflective practitioner who seeks feedback and learning opportunities

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 .

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.

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 .

Employer details

Employer name

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

Job responsibilities

• Independently manage and prioritise a specialist caseload.
• Assess, diagnose and manage complex communication and swallowing disorders.
• Communicate complex, sensitive and potentially distressing information to patients, carers and professionals.
• Adapt communication methods to overcome barriers associated with aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive impairment, hearing impairment and altered consciousness.
• Provide verbal and written reports to multidisciplinary teams and external agencies.
• Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Negotiate care plans and therapy goals with patients, carers and members of the MDT.
• Make decisions regarding referral, discharge and onward specialist investigations
• Manage complex clinical situations with support from senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Participate in audit, service evaluation and QI projects.

Education and qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registration / Licence to Practise
• Achievement of level C competence in dysphagia

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

• Specialist knowledge of adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders
• Specialist knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders in stroke, neurology, neurosurgery and elderly care
• Ability to undertake independent caseload management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Experience

Essential

• Postgraduate experience managing adults with communication and swallowing disorders
• Experience working within MDT settings

Desirable

• Experience working in acute inpatient settings

Personal qualities

Essential

• Ability to work independently and use initiative appropriately
• Ability to prioritise and manage workload effectively
• Reflective practitioner who seeks feedback and learning opportunities