Job summary
We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our acute team delivering high-quality care at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Aintree site.
This is a fixed-term Band 6 position at 0.8 WTE, offered for up to 12 months to cover maternity leave. The successful applicant will primarily work within the Major Trauma pathway, with flexibility to support acute ward settings as required.
This is an exciting opportunity for an established Band 6 therapist to further develop their specialist skills within a major trauma centre, supported by a forward-thinking and innovative team. Applicants should have substantial experience in adult acute care and managing complex dysphagia and communication caseloads. Strong communication skills, adaptability, and a solid understanding of multidisciplinary team working are essential. You will be part of a supportive and highly skilled team, with regular access to instrumental assessments including videofluoroscopy and FEES. We offer a clear supervision structure, access to expert practitioners in advanced dysphagia, acute medicine, stroke, and critical care, and opportunities to contribute to service development. Continuing professional development is actively encouraged, with regular CPD events, peer supervision, and support for further training.
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for speech and language therapy assessment, clinical diagnoses and implementation of agreed treatment plans and evaluate care delivery needs for routine and complex patients across each of the clinical rotations.
You will have access to peer support, regular supervision, and training opportunities including instrumental assessments. You will take part in and lead service development, audit, and research. The post holder will be actively involved in the support and development of others including B5 clinicians, and students. You will also have the opportunity to provide training sessions within the wider MDT.
You will be working as part of a friendly, dynamic and supportive Speech and Language Therapy team who are committed to delivering high quality, patient centred care. You must be open to change and proactive in service improvement and transformation.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women's Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospitalis the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit theircareers page.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Undertake assessment of patients, using specialist clinical reasoning and assessment techniques to differentially diagnose then formulate and implement treatment plans with advice and support from seniors as required.
- Continually evaluate the efficacy of the treatment programme to ensure that it is meeting the needs of the patient
- Monitor the effectiveness of the interventions you are providing using outcome measures.
- Work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team attending meetings/case conferences where possible, actively encouraging information sharing to enhance the quality of care to patients and staff.
- Ensure effective communication with patients, carers and other Health Care Professionals regarding all aspects of the patients care. This will be achieved through direct liaison or written information using specialist knowledge, tailored to individual needs and taking account of impaired comprehension and expression.
- Help other Health Care Professionals communicate with patients who have impaired language skills using alternative communication systems where appropriate.
- Advise assist and support, less experienced therapists and assistants in the management of their caseload.
- Work closely with Community staff to facilitate a seamless rehabilitation service across the city.
- Carry out videofluoroscopy with senior S.L.T. developing skills to analyse and report findings.
- Undertake research as requested by team leader.
- Collect patient data and other statistics as required by Head of Department.
- Advise the Head of Department of any change in caseload profile which has an impact on the service provided to facilitate planning.
- Monitor equipment and material for condition and suitability. Submit orders via head of department.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Undertake assessment of patients, using specialist clinical reasoning and assessment techniques to differentially diagnose then formulate and implement treatment plans with advice and support from seniors as required.
- Continually evaluate the efficacy of the treatment programme to ensure that it is meeting the needs of the patient
- Monitor the effectiveness of the interventions you are providing using outcome measures.
- Work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team attending meetings/case conferences where possible, actively encouraging information sharing to enhance the quality of care to patients and staff.
- Ensure effective communication with patients, carers and other Health Care Professionals regarding all aspects of the patients care. This will be achieved through direct liaison or written information using specialist knowledge, tailored to individual needs and taking account of impaired comprehension and expression.
- Help other Health Care Professionals communicate with patients who have impaired language skills using alternative communication systems where appropriate.
- Advise assist and support, less experienced therapists and assistants in the management of their caseload.
- Work closely with Community staff to facilitate a seamless rehabilitation service across the city.
- Carry out videofluoroscopy with senior S.L.T. developing skills to analyse and report findings.
- Undertake research as requested by team leader.
- Collect patient data and other statistics as required by Head of Department.
- Advise the Head of Department of any change in caseload profile which has an impact on the service provided to facilitate planning.
- Monitor equipment and material for condition and suitability. Submit orders via head of department.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound dysphagia skills - able to work independently
Desirable
- Understanding of current issues affecting NHS
- Evidence of attendance on external courses to develop knowledge and skills in specialised clinical areas
Skills
Essential
- Good knowledge and skills in therapeutic and functional approaches to communication disorders
- Evidence of developing clinical reasoning and problem solving skills
- Can evaluate the effectiveness of clinical intervention
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to organise own caseload effectively
- Excellent interpersonal skills - observation, listening and empathy skills
- Basic IT skills
- Excellent written and verbal skills
Other
Essential
- Able to work collaboratively within a team
- Flexible/able to cope with change
- Committed to personal development
- Awareness of own limitations
Desirable
- Demonstrates empathy with patients
- Experience of facilitating communication between language impaired patients, staff and carers
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc relevant discipline
- Post Graduate professional qualification
- Registration with HCPC
- Member of RCSLT
Desirable
- Attends regular SIG meetings in areas of clinical interest
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience working with Adult Acquired disorders
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
Desirable
- Experience of running Adult groups
- Able to work with Assistants
- Videofluoroscopy assessments with senior
- Working with voluntary agencies
- Teaching/training others
- Involvement in audit or clinical research
- Involvement in Clinical Supervision process
- Experience of taking SLT observation students
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound dysphagia skills - able to work independently
Desirable
- Understanding of current issues affecting NHS
- Evidence of attendance on external courses to develop knowledge and skills in specialised clinical areas
Skills
Essential
- Good knowledge and skills in therapeutic and functional approaches to communication disorders
- Evidence of developing clinical reasoning and problem solving skills
- Can evaluate the effectiveness of clinical intervention
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to organise own caseload effectively
- Excellent interpersonal skills - observation, listening and empathy skills
- Basic IT skills
- Excellent written and verbal skills
Other
Essential
- Able to work collaboratively within a team
- Flexible/able to cope with change
- Committed to personal development
- Awareness of own limitations
Desirable
- Demonstrates empathy with patients
- Experience of facilitating communication between language impaired patients, staff and carers
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc relevant discipline
- Post Graduate professional qualification
- Registration with HCPC
- Member of RCSLT
Desirable
- Attends regular SIG meetings in areas of clinical interest
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience working with Adult Acquired disorders
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
Desirable
- Experience of running Adult groups
- Able to work with Assistants
- Videofluoroscopy assessments with senior
- Working with voluntary agencies
- Teaching/training others
- Involvement in audit or clinical research
- Involvement in Clinical Supervision process
- Experience of taking SLT observation students
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.
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.
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).
