Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapist - Stroke Services
The closing date is 24 March 2026
Job summary
CLINICAL LEAD SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPIST - STROKE SERVICES
AFC Band 7: 1.0 wte (37.5 hours/week) - Permanent
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, highly motivated and flexible Speech and Language Therapist to lead the stroke service across South Tees NHS Foundation Trust. The service works across the pathway from the acute stroke unit based at The James Cook University Hospital site, the in-patient stroke rehabilitation unit at Redcar Primary Care Hospital, the Early Supported Discharge team for South Tees, and the out-patient therapy (stroke) service at The James Cook University Hospital site, with a 6 day service provided (on a rota basis) to the acute stroke unit.
The postholder will also work closely with MDT Stroke colleagues to develop future pathways across University Hospitals Tees.
The successful candidate will have significant experience of working with acute dysphagia and managing communication disorders secondary to neurological injury. Direct experience of working within the speciality of stroke and or neurology is essential. Evidence of advanced post graduate dysphagia training is also essential.
Regular support will be provided from your operational lead and from specialist colleagues across the wider team.
Main duties of the job
You will be encouraged to take an active role in service improvement (both within our own service and our wider healthcare teams), clinical governance and continuing professional development of self and others in leadership and mentorship. You will support and mentor qualified speech therapists (including newly qualified graduates), support workers and students, and can be involved with attracting future candidates into the profession through participation in careers events and workshops.
You will also be supported by our experienced team of therapists, therapy assistants and clerical support, which is based in our office at The James Cook University Hospital.
Main duties of the role include;
Delivery of highly specialist management of acute dysphagia secondary to either stroke or neurological illness
Delivery of highly specialist management of communication disorder secondary to either stroke or neurological illness
Management and coordination of the services to the acute and rehabilitative stroke pathways
To act as a member of the well-established multi-disciplinary team
To provide clinical leadership for the stroke Speech and Language Therapy team/NASU
You will need to be able to travel independently throughout the locality.
About us
Leadership and Improvement TrainingWe support the Making Every Contact Count approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
o Your Leadership Impacto Leading your Team to Successo Leading Into the Futureo Service Improvement for Beginnerso Developing your Service Improvement Skillso Lean Practitioner
The leadership and improvement programme aims to:
o Explore leadership within the NHSo Promote Trust values and behaviourso Develop your leadership effectiveness and skillso Equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and complete service improvements within the scope of your role.
After you complete these six and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house and externally provided courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.
Details
Date posted
10 March 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
328-CN-7841442
Job locations
The James Cook University Hospital
Middlesbrough
TS4 3BW
Employer details
Employer name
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
The James Cook University Hospital
Middlesbrough
TS4 3BW
Employer's website
https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)










Employer contact details
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