Job summary
Are you a dysphagia competent, highly skilled HCPC Registered Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) ready to take the next step in your career? We are excited to offer a Band 6 Specialist SLT opportunity on the adult inpatient mental health wards at St George's Hospital, Stafford.
Previous formal mental health experience is not essential but seeking clinicians who demonstrate a strong interest in mental health to undertake this unique opportunity to specialise and deepen knowledge, skills, and experience in this area.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide specialist Speech & Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults and older adults with communication and dysphagia needs on adult inpatient mental health wards.
This role is new with our mental health services and offers a significant opportunity for you to contribute to service development and pathway design within this service.
We value compassionate care, innovation, and professional growth and offer excellent opportunities for Continuing Professional Development. You'll become part of an extremely friendly and supportive SLT team with strong Allied Health Professional (AHP) links connecting you to our valued AHP network of colleagues across the Trust and you will be well supported by our leadership teams through regular supervision.
This is a full-time role, but part-time hours can be considered. We are also open to Band 5 to 6 development options should you meet key competencies.
Main duties of the job
Resilience is key, as it is a challenging yet highly rewarding role. As a specialist Band 6 SLT on our inpatient mental health wards, you will be expected to:
- Deliver expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for mental health inpatient adults/older adults with communication and dysphagia needs
- Manage a complex caseload autonomously, often working without direct supervision (but with regular access to B7 & B6 peer SLT support)
- Work collaboratively within a specialist mental health multidisciplinary team to support holistic patient centred care and recovery
- Provide supervision and training to junior staff and contribute to SLT service development where appropriate
- Use evidence-based approaches and specialist tools (e.g. AAC)
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details of this role, please see attached the attached job description and person specification. Please note the job description is currently going through the Agenda for Change process and may be subject to change.
Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:
Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/4buATxw
Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/44KxWXs
MPFT - Adult Mental Health Services South Staffs - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/3K3B7ju
If youre ready to make a meaningful impact in mental health care through specialist SLT practice, wed love to hear from you. We welcome informal visits/enquiries. We are also open to Band 5 to 6 development options if essential criteria are met. If you would like to find out more or chat further about this opportunity, please do contact us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details of this role, please see attached the attached job description and person specification. Please note the job description is currently going through the Agenda for Change process and may be subject to change.
Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:
Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/4buATxw
Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/44KxWXs
MPFT - Adult Mental Health Services South Staffs - YouTubeorcopy and paste into browser to watchhttps://bit.ly/3K3B7ju
If youre ready to make a meaningful impact in mental health care through specialist SLT practice, wed love to hear from you. We welcome informal visits/enquiries. We are also open to Band 5 to 6 development options if essential criteria are met. If you would like to find out more or chat further about this opportunity, please do contact us.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
- Post-graduate dysphagia qualification.
- Unrestricted Health & Care Professions Council Registration.
- CPD Folder evidence of ongoing learning/development.
Desirable
- Member of RCSLT regional Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) appropriate to specialist area of post.
- Trained in objective dysphagia assessment (e.g. cervical auscultation, videofluoroscopy/ FEES).
Experience
Essential
- Experience with autonomous assessment and management of adults with communication difficulties (e.g. LD, dementia, neurodivergence).
- Experience working with patients with complex mental health needs.
- Experience with autonomous assessment and management of a wide range of dysphagia presentations.
- Experience as qualified practitioner in more than one area of the profession in which they practise.
- Working in a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Experience of working in mental health and/or learning disability inpatient services.
- Experience of and ability to carry out clinical audit.
- Experience of supervising SLT assistants.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
- Post-graduate dysphagia qualification.
- Unrestricted Health & Care Professions Council Registration.
- CPD Folder evidence of ongoing learning/development.
Desirable
- Member of RCSLT regional Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) appropriate to specialist area of post.
- Trained in objective dysphagia assessment (e.g. cervical auscultation, videofluoroscopy/ FEES).
Experience
Essential
- Experience with autonomous assessment and management of adults with communication difficulties (e.g. LD, dementia, neurodivergence).
- Experience working with patients with complex mental health needs.
- Experience with autonomous assessment and management of a wide range of dysphagia presentations.
- Experience as qualified practitioner in more than one area of the profession in which they practise.
- Working in a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Experience of working in mental health and/or learning disability inpatient services.
- Experience of and ability to carry out clinical audit.
- Experience of supervising SLT assistants.
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).
