East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Clinical and Operational Lead for Speech and Language Therapy

The closing date is 04 November 2025

Job summary

This is an incredible opportunity to come and lead an established and innovative Speech and Language Therapy service where the highest standard of clinical quality is at the heart of what we offer our patients.

This service operates a FEES and VFE service and has dedicated critical care, head and neck, voice, inpatients, stroke, neurorehab, community and dedicated care home services. We work in partnership with SLT colleagues from across L&SC and have a shared development plan. This collaboration includes running a yearly SLT conference.

We are able to run a band 5 rotation giving our newly qualified graduates a wealth of experience across multiple SLT services.

It is an opportunity to work within a well established Division and with a Head of Service who is also a Speech and Language Therapist to build on and expand the SLT service at ELHT.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is responsible for the clinical quality and operational delivery of the Speech and Language Therapy service at ELHT to ensure high quality, effective and efficient care for patients.

The post holder is responsible for the workforce planning and delivery across all pathways within SLT.

The post holder is responsible for providing overarching clinical leadership for SLT including providing practical guidance, support and senior review

The post holder is responsible for providing wider clinical leadership to relevant Divisional, cross Divisional and Directorate service improvement and change programmes, collaborating with relevant clinical and operational leaders.

About us

The Trust is committed to creating a well-managed, flexible working environment that supports staff and promotes their welfare and development. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We operate Zero Tolerance to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure our recruitment and selection process is accessible to all. Flexible Working applications will be considered. The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy.Should you require a reasonable adjustment to our recruitment process please contact a member of Recruitment Services on 01254 732075 at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.

Please Note: new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.

At East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, ,personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 7,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

Details

Date posted

21 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

435-D065-25-A

Job locations

Burnley General Hospital

Casterton Avenue

Burnley

BB102PQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Operationally manage SLT providing operational leadership to ensure delivery of strategic intentions.

Provide clinical leadership and mentorship in the assessment and treatment of all patients across the clinical service, providing specialist advice on the management of complex cases.

Lead in the development, implementation and monitoring of evidenced- based protocols and clinical pathways which clearly demonstrate robust outcomes for patients.

Be a recognised source of clinical expertise/advice and guidance.

Take a lead role in the review and implementation of the relevant clinical guidelines including NICE, quality standards and professional standards.

Influence and promote innovative models of practice, building on existing service models and utilising improvement methodology where appropriate

Develop key areas of clinical practice, working closely with the Clinical Team Leaders.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Operationally manage SLT providing operational leadership to ensure delivery of strategic intentions.

Provide clinical leadership and mentorship in the assessment and treatment of all patients across the clinical service, providing specialist advice on the management of complex cases.

Lead in the development, implementation and monitoring of evidenced- based protocols and clinical pathways which clearly demonstrate robust outcomes for patients.

Be a recognised source of clinical expertise/advice and guidance.

Take a lead role in the review and implementation of the relevant clinical guidelines including NICE, quality standards and professional standards.

Influence and promote innovative models of practice, building on existing service models and utilising improvement methodology where appropriate

Develop key areas of clinical practice, working closely with the Clinical Team Leaders.

Person Specification

SLT qualification

Essential

  • SLT qualification
  • HCPC registered
  • RCSLT registered
  • Experience of collaborative working
  • Experience in change management
  • Involvement in recruitment
  • Involvement in HR management
Person Specification

SLT qualification

Essential

  • SLT qualification
  • HCPC registered
  • RCSLT registered
  • Experience of collaborative working
  • Experience in change management
  • Involvement in recruitment
  • Involvement in HR management

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 Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Burnley General Hospital

Casterton Avenue

Burnley

BB102PQ


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Burnley General Hospital

Casterton Avenue

Burnley

BB102PQ


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Service for SLT, stroke and neuro rehab

Helen Vernon

helen.vernon@elht.nhs.uk

07944188374

Details

Date posted

21 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

435-D065-25-A

Job locations

Burnley General Hospital

Casterton Avenue

Burnley

BB102PQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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