Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Speech and Language Therapist - Stroke

The closing date is 06 November 2025

Job summary

We have recently been awarded significant investment to develop Dorset Stroke & Neuro Services to meet the National Stroke Service model. This includes developments across the pathway in West & North Dorset including hyper acute care (based at Dorset County Hospital), specialist rehabilitation beds (based in Sherborne) & Integrated Community Stroke Services (ICSS). This is a really exciting time as we significantly expand our existing services & embed innovative ways of working to improve clinical outcomes for patients following stroke or neurological illness or injury.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our dynamic Stroke Team at Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust. The post is full time, working 37.5 hours per week and will involve specialist dysphagia and communication intervention for patients post stroke.

We would welcome applications from anyone already at a B6 level or will consider B5's with relevant stroke experience looking for a B5 developing 6 role.

Main duties of the job

The post involves providing specialist Speech and Language assessment and rehabilitation for patients on the Acute Stroke Unit at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester and the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne ensuring that rehabilitation continues across the stroke pathway.If you have experience or a keen interest of working within a stroke service and are looking for a new challenge - this may be the job for you! This post will offer the opportunity to develop specialist skills in the assessment and management of swallowing and communication difficulties for patients post stroke and will allow you to work within both an acute and rehabilitation setting.

You will be joining an established Stroke Therapy Team of Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Speech & Language Therapists and Therapy Support Workers supported by a Clinical Lead Therapist. You will be encouraged to take an active role in current projects, including service development and evaluation, internal and external training, audit and research review.

You will be working in a rewarding and challenging clinical environment and will be responsible for the supervision of at least one team member. The therapies department at Dorset County Hospital is committed to ensuring staff feel supported with their wellbeing and career progression through supervision, appraisal, in-house and external training and leadership development.

About us

The Therapies Service at Dorset County Hospital is an integrated Therapies Service working together to ensure that Therapies provision is the best that it can be, balancing quality and resourcing to provide and improve patient centred services.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a modern District General Hospital offering an excellent working environment. Much of West Dorset is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the Jurassic coastline is protected by World Heritage status. There arenumerous beaches within easy reach, and Portland Harbour (host of 2012 Olympic Sailing) promotes a wide range of water sport activities. The area is largely rural, with good rail and road links. The closest airport is situated in Bournemouth. We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in groups which are under-represented in our organisation.

UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.

Details

Date posted

23 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

405-25-AHP478SLT

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Road

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us atRecruitment@dchft.nhs.ukif you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us atRecruitment@dchft.nhs.ukif you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

  • Have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Specialist Dysphagia qualification
  • Clinical educators certificate
  • A member of RCSLT
  • HCPC registration
  • Membership of relevant CEN

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Knowledge of evidence-based practice pertaining to the specialist area of Speech & Language Therapy
  • To have an understanding of rehabilitation with dysphagia and communication
  • Able to work as part of a specialised MDT and communicate effectively within it.
  • Able to deliver complex and sensitive concepts in easily understood language to patients, carers and staff.
  • Understand the role of SLT in assessing mental capacity.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

  • Excellent time management skills with ability to organise, prioritise and delegate
  • Ability to self-direct learning, be critical and evaluate own learning needs, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
  • Full driving licence and access to own car
Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

  • Have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Specialist Dysphagia qualification
  • Clinical educators certificate
  • A member of RCSLT
  • HCPC registration
  • Membership of relevant CEN

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Knowledge of evidence-based practice pertaining to the specialist area of Speech & Language Therapy
  • To have an understanding of rehabilitation with dysphagia and communication
  • Able to work as part of a specialised MDT and communicate effectively within it.
  • Able to deliver complex and sensitive concepts in easily understood language to patients, carers and staff.
  • Understand the role of SLT in assessing mental capacity.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

  • Excellent time management skills with ability to organise, prioritise and delegate
  • Ability to self-direct learning, be critical and evaluate own learning needs, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio
  • Full driving licence and access to own car

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

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Road

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Road

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Speech and Language Therapy

Georgina Bruce

georgina.bruce@dchft.nhs.uk

01305253319

Details

Date posted

23 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

405-25-AHP478SLT

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Road

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)