East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 29 September 2025

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Speech and Language Therapist to join our SLT team on the East Kent Neuro Rehab Unit (EKNRU). Our small, friendly team is inclusive and welcoming. We are focused on evidenced based intervention and service improvement, to ensure our patients receive the best possible care.

We encourage applications from students graduating this summer and those who already hold their HCPC registration. If you are passionate about communication therapy and a career in rehabilitation we would love to hear from you.

EKNRU is located at the the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, in the historic and vibrant city of Canterbury. Canterbury is surrounded by woodland and countryside with the stunning Kent Coast in easy reach. There are quick links to London by rail and road.

You will work closely with all members of the multidisciplinary team to deliver patient-centred care to individuals with communication and swallowing difficulties on East Kent Neuro Rehabilitation Unit (EKNRU). You will be supported by our experienced SLT team to complete your RCSLT Newly Qualified Practitioner (NQP) and dysphagia competencies, and to develop your knowledge and skills as an autonomous practitioner.

Main duties of the job

To contribute to the Speech and Language Therapy Service at East Kent Neurological Rehabilitation Unit (EKNRU) Kent and Canterbury Hospital. The post holder will assist the Team Leads for the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) EKNRU service and facilitate in the prioritisation of SLT services.

To provide swallowing and communication assessment, treatment and rehabilitation to a mixed caseload of adults with acute neurological and medical conditions.

To use current evidence based practice to interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical information to form accurate diagnoses and prognoses; developing management and treatment plans with support from senior SLTs.

To help and advise colleagues, other members of the MDT, relatives and carers on the best course of intervention, including discharge planning.

To be responsible for managing a clinical caseload of patients, maintaining accurate records of work.

To work as an autonomous practitioner with access to support and expert advice and from more experienced clinicians as required.

To work flexibly within the Speech and Language Therapy Department (SLT), working across site or within other areas when required to do so.

To work collaboratively with other agencies as part of a multidisciplinary/multiagency team, to ensure effective service provision.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Details

Date posted

15 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

344-2158DCB

Job locations

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for further information, along with all the information required to apply for the vacancy.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description for further information, along with all the information required to apply for the vacancy.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant experience at undergraduate /post graduate level

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a rehabilitation or acute hospital setting

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal and counselling skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
  • Negotiating and problem-solving skills
  • Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
  • Good presentation skills, both verbal and non-verbal
  • Basic IT skills
  • Willingness and ability to be a good team member
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically

Desirable

  • Counselling skills
  • Facilitating communication groups

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to the patient group, (acquired communication and swallowing disorders
  • Knowledge of national policies and procedures, (relevant to inpatient rehabilitation and/or acute setting)
  • Evidence based knowledge of a wide variety of treatment techniques and strategies relevant adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders
  • Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
  • Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to role)
  • Awareness of standards of record keeping

Qualifications

Essential

  • Currently hold or be nearing completion of a diploma/degree in Speech and Language Therapy with appropriate HCPC Registration

Desirable

  • Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
  • Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Upholds and models the Trust values
  • Ability to travel across the Trust
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant experience at undergraduate /post graduate level

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a rehabilitation or acute hospital setting

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal and counselling skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
  • Negotiating and problem-solving skills
  • Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
  • Good presentation skills, both verbal and non-verbal
  • Basic IT skills
  • Willingness and ability to be a good team member
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically

Desirable

  • Counselling skills
  • Facilitating communication groups

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to the patient group, (acquired communication and swallowing disorders
  • Knowledge of national policies and procedures, (relevant to inpatient rehabilitation and/or acute setting)
  • Evidence based knowledge of a wide variety of treatment techniques and strategies relevant adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders
  • Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
  • Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to role)
  • Awareness of standards of record keeping

Qualifications

Essential

  • Currently hold or be nearing completion of a diploma/degree in Speech and Language Therapy with appropriate HCPC Registration

Desirable

  • Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
  • Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Upholds and models the Trust values
  • Ability to travel across the Trust

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

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG


Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG


Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical specialist speech and language therapist

Stephanie Earnshaw or Hazel King

stephanie.earnshaw@nhs.net

01227864153

Details

Date posted

15 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

344-2158DCB

Job locations

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG


Supporting documents

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