University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist - Acute Stroke & Rehabilitation

The closing date is 01 October 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new graduate or current band 5 wishing to gain experience in an adult acute stroke and rehabilitation setting, to join the Speech and Language Therapy service at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

This is a fixed term position and will support in-patients with communication and swallowing disorders within acute stroke and rehabilitation beds at St Richards Hospital, Chichester, including Donald Wilson Neurological Rehabilitation Centre.

There may also be opportunities for you to work as part of our cross site acute service at Worthing Hospital. Opportunities to complete in service dysphagia competencies will also be available.

As a newly qualified Speech and Language Therapist you will follow a preceptorship programme, in line with RCSLT NQP competencies. We offer informal support via a mentor and you will receive more structured supervision to aid your completion of your NQP competencies. CPD opportunities will be available from within the service.

Main duties of the job

To provide Speech and Language Therapy intervention for adult inpatients. Completing clinical assessment, differential diagnosis and management of inpatients with communication and/or swallowing difficulties.

About us

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Details

Date posted

18 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7474100-SEP25

Job locations

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communication

  • The client group for this post have barriers to understanding/communicating which require excellent communication skills.
  • The post holder will be required to communicate complex condition-related and general professional information with: Clients, patients and carers, MDT health professionals, social services, voluntary services and the public.
  • This will frequently involving utilising motivational skills, supporting patients under stressful or emotionally charged situations who have challenging communication difficulties.
  • Use of empathy in working with distressed patients/carers and relatives.
  • To communicate complex information regarding assessment findings and management of communication and swallowing difficulties to clients/patients, carers and other professionals, ensuring holistic management of the client/patient.

Service Delivery and Improvement

  • To advise and work with senior Speech and Language Therapists, line managers and supervisors to inform service development and planning of issues relevant to the Speech and Language Therapy Service, such as waiting times, service delivery and service pressures.
  • To develop and maintain knowledge of national and local clinical guidelines, legislation and professional policies relevant to the caseload speciality.
  • To contribute to the development and implementation of local clinical guidelines and care protocols for patients with acquired communication/ swallowing difficulties

-- Please see the Job Description & Person Specs for further info --

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communication

  • The client group for this post have barriers to understanding/communicating which require excellent communication skills.
  • The post holder will be required to communicate complex condition-related and general professional information with: Clients, patients and carers, MDT health professionals, social services, voluntary services and the public.
  • This will frequently involving utilising motivational skills, supporting patients under stressful or emotionally charged situations who have challenging communication difficulties.
  • Use of empathy in working with distressed patients/carers and relatives.
  • To communicate complex information regarding assessment findings and management of communication and swallowing difficulties to clients/patients, carers and other professionals, ensuring holistic management of the client/patient.

Service Delivery and Improvement

  • To advise and work with senior Speech and Language Therapists, line managers and supervisors to inform service development and planning of issues relevant to the Speech and Language Therapy Service, such as waiting times, service delivery and service pressures.
  • To develop and maintain knowledge of national and local clinical guidelines, legislation and professional policies relevant to the caseload speciality.
  • To contribute to the development and implementation of local clinical guidelines and care protocols for patients with acquired communication/ swallowing difficulties

-- Please see the Job Description & Person Specs for further info --

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • recognised degree or diploma in speech and language therapy
  • registered member of HCPC
  • Member of RCSLT

Experience

Essential

  • demonstrated undergraduate or postgraduate experience of working with adults

Knowledge

Essential

  • demonstrated knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis and management of communication and swallowing impairments

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • recognised degree or diploma in speech and language therapy
  • registered member of HCPC
  • Member of RCSLT

Experience

Essential

  • demonstrated undergraduate or postgraduate experience of working with adults

Knowledge

Essential

  • demonstrated knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis and management of communication and swallowing impairments

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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).

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 (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Speech and Language Therapist

Ryan De-Vall

ryan.de-vall@nhs.net

01243831477

Details

Date posted

18 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7474100-SEP25

Job locations

St Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Supporting documents

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