Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Community)

The closing date is 22 July 2025

Job summary

This role is offered on a permanent basis. The hours are part-time, 30 hours per week.

We are excited to invite a highly motivated Speech and Language Therapist looking for a new challenge to join our speech and language therapy team here in Gloucestershire.

Now is an exciting time to join us as we further develop our FEES, Tracheostomy and Videofluoroscopy services and training pathways.

We have sessions available in our outpatient and community services, offering you the opportunity to work with a range of service users across Gloucestershire.

We are a friendly, dynamic team with a strong focus on quality service delivery. Our Band 6s have regular supervision including peer supervision sessions, and opportunities to develop skills including those in FEES, VFS, and tracheostomy.

The post is suitable for an experienced Band 5 therapist ,an established Band 6 therapist with a passion to develop and use their competencies , a developing band 6 or a return to practice therapist. We welcome applicants who wish to discuss part-time, flexible working patterns.

Main duties of the job

To provide Specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults in Gloucestershire. This may include patients with acquired communication, voice and swallowing disorders and may be across a wide range of settings including, community hospitals, outpatient clinic or patient's own home or care home.

To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate seeking guidance from team leads as required

To supervise Speech and Language Therapy assistants or newly qualified SLTs

To work autonomously within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) policies and professional practice maintaining accurate and comprehensive electronic records

To participate in service improvement projects as indicated

The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before submitting

About us

We have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues working in a diverse range of services over 55 sites and within people's homes. We strive to enable a welcoming workplace culture that builds and celebrates civility, inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust.

Annual staff surveys, regular Pulse surveys and other engagement opportunities provide our people with lots of opportunity to tell us about their experiences of working with us. In the latest staff survey, 61% of colleagues gave us their views. It was great to hear that:

  • 72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work, ranking us 1st for Provider Trusts in the South West region on this question.
  • 76% would recommend the standard of care provided in our services if a friend or relative needed treatment, also ranking us 1st in the South West region.
  • 81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust's priority, compared with an average in comparable NHS Trusts in England of 64%.

This high-level overview shows we are in a healthy position, with higher scores than average for comparable organisations, alongside a great response rate, indicating good staff engagement. However, we also know we have plenty of room for improvement in many areas. To that end, we continue to prioritise and invest in our commitment to genuinely becoming a Great Place to Work with consistent top-quartile performance in the annual staff survey and Pulse surveys.

Details

Date posted

18 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

327-25-588

Job locations

Southgate Moorings

Southgate Street

Gloucester

GL1 2DB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Overview of the role from the job description

  • To provide Specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults in Gloucestershire. This may include patients with acquired communication, voice and swallowing disorders and may be across a wide range of settings including, community hospitals, outpatient clinic or patients own home or care home.
  • To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate seeking guidance from team leads as required
  • To supervise Speech and Language Therapy assistants or newly qualified SLTs
  • To work autonomously within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) policies and professional practice maintaining accurate and comprehensive electronic records
  • To participate in service improvement projects as indicated

Duties, responsibilities and key Relationships

Clinical

  • To provide specialist differential diagnosis, clinical advice, and care plans/therapy to clients with communication / swallowing difficulties; this includes analysis of facts and a comparison of a range of options for appropriate intervention, implementing specialist programmes where appropriate.
  • To provide advice and second opinions to SLT colleagues when necessary to support the clinical management of patients.
  • To assess and analyse type, severity and impact of complex conditions of speech, language, communication and swallowing impairments in a wide range of adult patients, through specific formal and informal assessments.
  • To provide advice and second opinions when necessary to support the clinical management of clients within multi-disciplinary team decision making with patients and their significant others
  • To demonstrate clear communication skills when presenting specialist clinical information in both verbal and written formats when dealing with sensitive situations such as end of life.

Professional

  • To monitor and/or undertake quality improvement projects as service demands in order to inform the SLT service and Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS trust (GHC) and Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Trust (GHNHST) of development needs
  • Contribute to local clinical guidelines
  • To monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness using provided support, evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
  • To maintain up to date and accurate case notes, both paper and electronic records in line with RCSLT Professional Standards, GHC Trust Policy and departmental guidelines.
  • To adhere to and maintain the standards and guidelines as recommended by the RCSLT and the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) codes of conduct and practice.
  • To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a specialist therapist working with a variety of patients and maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration. This includes participating in regular supervision and annual personal development planning.
  • To prescribe augmentative and alternative methods of communication (e.g. communication aids) and provide support, advice and training to clients, carers and professionals with the support of highly specialist AAC therapist both in house and in specialist centres of excellence.
  • To refer patients on to other services and agencies and to liaise with members of voluntary organisations concerned with the client group eg Early Stroke discharge team, Parkinsons Disease support group
  • To negotiate with patients/carers/ significant others around individual case management, ensuring patient involvement in their clinical outcomes.

Leadership / Management

  • To manage communication breakdown/conflict in complex cases generating potential solutions
  • To attend departmental development meetings, presenting and leading as appropriate to sharing skills or recent training
  • To provide clinical and line management supervision to colleagues including band 5 colleagues, assistants and students

Job description

Job responsibilities

Overview of the role from the job description

  • To provide Specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults in Gloucestershire. This may include patients with acquired communication, voice and swallowing disorders and may be across a wide range of settings including, community hospitals, outpatient clinic or patients own home or care home.
  • To manage and prioritise own clinical workload as appropriate seeking guidance from team leads as required
  • To supervise Speech and Language Therapy assistants or newly qualified SLTs
  • To work autonomously within Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) policies and professional practice maintaining accurate and comprehensive electronic records
  • To participate in service improvement projects as indicated

Duties, responsibilities and key Relationships

Clinical

  • To provide specialist differential diagnosis, clinical advice, and care plans/therapy to clients with communication / swallowing difficulties; this includes analysis of facts and a comparison of a range of options for appropriate intervention, implementing specialist programmes where appropriate.
  • To provide advice and second opinions to SLT colleagues when necessary to support the clinical management of patients.
  • To assess and analyse type, severity and impact of complex conditions of speech, language, communication and swallowing impairments in a wide range of adult patients, through specific formal and informal assessments.
  • To provide advice and second opinions when necessary to support the clinical management of clients within multi-disciplinary team decision making with patients and their significant others
  • To demonstrate clear communication skills when presenting specialist clinical information in both verbal and written formats when dealing with sensitive situations such as end of life.

Professional

  • To monitor and/or undertake quality improvement projects as service demands in order to inform the SLT service and Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS trust (GHC) and Gloucestershire Hospital NHS Trust (GHNHST) of development needs
  • Contribute to local clinical guidelines
  • To monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness using provided support, evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
  • To maintain up to date and accurate case notes, both paper and electronic records in line with RCSLT Professional Standards, GHC Trust Policy and departmental guidelines.
  • To adhere to and maintain the standards and guidelines as recommended by the RCSLT and the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) codes of conduct and practice.
  • To attend relevant training and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a specialist therapist working with a variety of patients and maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration. This includes participating in regular supervision and annual personal development planning.
  • To prescribe augmentative and alternative methods of communication (e.g. communication aids) and provide support, advice and training to clients, carers and professionals with the support of highly specialist AAC therapist both in house and in specialist centres of excellence.
  • To refer patients on to other services and agencies and to liaise with members of voluntary organisations concerned with the client group eg Early Stroke discharge team, Parkinsons Disease support group
  • To negotiate with patients/carers/ significant others around individual case management, ensuring patient involvement in their clinical outcomes.

Leadership / Management

  • To manage communication breakdown/conflict in complex cases generating potential solutions
  • To attend departmental development meetings, presenting and leading as appropriate to sharing skills or recent training
  • To provide clinical and line management supervision to colleagues including band 5 colleagues, assistants and students

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Recognised Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists degree level qualification
  • Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
  • Member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)

LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience in managing patients with communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of acquired disorders.
  • Working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and with other professionals.

Professional/managerial/Specialist Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to identify own professional development needs and develop a professional portfolio within the appraisal framework, including specific objectives
  • Skill in independent selection of appropriate strategies for prioritisation and management of a complex caseload
  • Specialist skills in differential diagnosis and targeting of clinical interventions
  • Ability to demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including skilled and professional recognition of communication barriers/facilitation
  • Ability to effectively manage own caseload
  • Negotiation skills for management of conflict across a range of situations
  • To employ appropriate strategies to manage aggressive or other inappropriate behaviour within the workplace
  • Experience of presenting to a wide range of audiences.
  • A baseline knowledge and understanding of the specific counselling required for the specialist area
  • Demonstration of specialist knowledge in clinical specialism underpinned by current evidence based practice
  • Knowledge of a broad range of specialist formal and informal assessment methods and their interpretation

Personal skills abilities and attribute

Essential

  • Approachable and flexible
  • Good communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Be able to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively
  • To recognise personal limitations and to seek support when required.
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to assimilate new concepts and approaches to care
  • Ability to engage positively with service users
  • Ability to work effectively as a team member
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Other requirements

Essential

  • Ability to work flexibly across the Trust and participate in video consultations as required.
  • Able to attend and participate in all mandatory and statutory training events

Desirable

  • Ability to travel around the county as requested, independently and efficiently.
Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Recognised Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists degree level qualification
  • Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
  • Member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)

LENGTH AND / OR NATURE OF EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience in managing patients with communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of acquired disorders.
  • Working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and with other professionals.

Professional/managerial/Specialist Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to identify own professional development needs and develop a professional portfolio within the appraisal framework, including specific objectives
  • Skill in independent selection of appropriate strategies for prioritisation and management of a complex caseload
  • Specialist skills in differential diagnosis and targeting of clinical interventions
  • Ability to demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including skilled and professional recognition of communication barriers/facilitation
  • Ability to effectively manage own caseload
  • Negotiation skills for management of conflict across a range of situations
  • To employ appropriate strategies to manage aggressive or other inappropriate behaviour within the workplace
  • Experience of presenting to a wide range of audiences.
  • A baseline knowledge and understanding of the specific counselling required for the specialist area
  • Demonstration of specialist knowledge in clinical specialism underpinned by current evidence based practice
  • Knowledge of a broad range of specialist formal and informal assessment methods and their interpretation

Personal skills abilities and attribute

Essential

  • Approachable and flexible
  • Good communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Be able to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively
  • To recognise personal limitations and to seek support when required.
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to assimilate new concepts and approaches to care
  • Ability to engage positively with service users
  • Ability to work effectively as a team member
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Other requirements

Essential

  • Ability to work flexibly across the Trust and participate in video consultations as required.
  • Able to attend and participate in all mandatory and statutory training events

Desirable

  • Ability to travel around the county as requested, independently and efficiently.

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

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southgate Moorings

Southgate Street

Gloucester

GL1 2DB


Employer's website

https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/who-we-are/jobs/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southgate Moorings

Southgate Street

Gloucester

GL1 2DB


Employer's website

https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/who-we-are/jobs/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Adult Physical Health Speech & Therpay

Helen Spear

helen.spear@ghc.nhs.uk

03004228105

Details

Date posted

18 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

327-25-588

Job locations

Southgate Moorings

Southgate Street

Gloucester

GL1 2DB


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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