County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist( within Community Stroke)

The closing date is 16 September 2025

Job summary

BANK position - hours vary/ flexible to cover countywide.

An exciting opportunity within the Community Stroke service has arisen for a motivated, creative Bank Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who has a strong interest in stroke rehabilitation. The base for this role is at Chester-le-Street Community Hospital working as part of multi-disciplinary stroke team across the county. This bank role will need to be flexible within the area they cover and will need access to a car. Available hours will vary depending upon the capcaity and demand within the service.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a well-organised therapist who has completed their post-basic dysphagia training and has experience of working with both communication and swallowing impaired acute and community caseloads. The successful candidate will hold a degree in Speech and Language Therapy, be registered with the Health Professionals Council and be committed to continuing professional development as well as holding an accredited post-basic dysphagia qualification or equivalent.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Details

Date posted

09 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

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

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

C9439-25-0192

Job locations

Chester Le Street Community Hospital

Front Street

Chester Le Street

County Durham

DH3 3AT


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Community stroke team offers a supportive team of experienced colleagues allowing ready-access to support second opinions and ongoing peer support to deliver evidence-based practise assessment and therapy to patients across all settings.

You will help supervise speech and language therapy students, as well as contribute to the delivery of teaching programmes to a wide range of community professionals enhancing patient care.

We can offer you a challenging and rewarding post that includes:

Well- resourced department with up to date technology

Good access to communication aids/ ipads and apps

Mobile-working laptop and mobile phone

Professional Lead in Speech and Language Therapy and Clinical Leads in all specialist areas

Good IT access

If successful you will be required to undertake a CRB check. A copy of the Code of Practice is available on request.

Please note this position requires a Disclosure Barring Service check (DBS) formerly

To apply please go to www.jobs.nhs.uk Quoting the job reference number

IN LINE WITH NHS EMPLOYMENT CHECK STANDARDS, YOU MUST BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WRITTEN REFERENCES COVERING A MINIMUM OF 3 YEARS PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT AND/OR TRAINING.

The Trust has core values of Quality, Care, Respect, Leadership and Achievement which it expects all employees to demonstrate. Full details of these are available on the Trust website:

http://www.cddft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/our-core-values.aspx

We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community and actively promote equal opportunities.

Unfortunately we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within 6 weeks should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Community stroke team offers a supportive team of experienced colleagues allowing ready-access to support second opinions and ongoing peer support to deliver evidence-based practise assessment and therapy to patients across all settings.

You will help supervise speech and language therapy students, as well as contribute to the delivery of teaching programmes to a wide range of community professionals enhancing patient care.

We can offer you a challenging and rewarding post that includes:

Well- resourced department with up to date technology

Good access to communication aids/ ipads and apps

Mobile-working laptop and mobile phone

Professional Lead in Speech and Language Therapy and Clinical Leads in all specialist areas

Good IT access

If successful you will be required to undertake a CRB check. A copy of the Code of Practice is available on request.

Please note this position requires a Disclosure Barring Service check (DBS) formerly

To apply please go to www.jobs.nhs.uk Quoting the job reference number

IN LINE WITH NHS EMPLOYMENT CHECK STANDARDS, YOU MUST BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WRITTEN REFERENCES COVERING A MINIMUM OF 3 YEARS PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT AND/OR TRAINING.

The Trust has core values of Quality, Care, Respect, Leadership and Achievement which it expects all employees to demonstrate. Full details of these are available on the Trust website:

http://www.cddft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/our-core-values.aspx

We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community and actively promote equal opportunities.

Unfortunately we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within 6 weeks should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Person Specification

Statutory Registration

Essential

  • Health Professionals Council Licence to Practice

Qualifications

Essential

  • Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent as recognised by RCSLT.
  • Evidence of successful completion of non-specialist short courses including post-basic dysphagia or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist.
  • Relevant experience post registration.

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of national and local Health/education/Social Care Policies and practices.
  • Understanding of a range of work procedures and practices which requires expertise within a specialism or discipline, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.
  • Knowledge and understanding of a range of procedures and practices relating to the identification, definition diagnosis and remediation of disorders of human communication, some of which are non-routine.
  • Ability to make judgements involving a range of facts or situations which require the analysis or comparison of a range of options.
  • Planning and organisational skills applicable to handling a small number of complex activities that may require the formulation and adjustment of plans.
  • High level interpersonal and communication skills persuasion, negotiation, training, empathy and re-assurance.
  • Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Ability to travel independently county wide and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis. Ability to meet physical demands of the post
  • Commitment, motivation and ability to work flexibly within a multidisciplinary service
Person Specification

Statutory Registration

Essential

  • Health Professionals Council Licence to Practice

Qualifications

Essential

  • Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent as recognised by RCSLT.
  • Evidence of successful completion of non-specialist short courses including post-basic dysphagia or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist.
  • Relevant experience post registration.

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of national and local Health/education/Social Care Policies and practices.
  • Understanding of a range of work procedures and practices which requires expertise within a specialism or discipline, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.
  • Knowledge and understanding of a range of procedures and practices relating to the identification, definition diagnosis and remediation of disorders of human communication, some of which are non-routine.
  • Ability to make judgements involving a range of facts or situations which require the analysis or comparison of a range of options.
  • Planning and organisational skills applicable to handling a small number of complex activities that may require the formulation and adjustment of plans.
  • High level interpersonal and communication skills persuasion, negotiation, training, empathy and re-assurance.
  • Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information

Special Requirements

Essential

  • Ability to travel independently county wide and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis. Ability to meet physical demands of the post
  • Commitment, motivation and ability to work flexibly within a multidisciplinary service

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.

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.

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chester Le Street Community Hospital

Front Street

Chester Le Street

County Durham

DH3 3AT


Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chester Le Street Community Hospital

Front Street

Chester Le Street

County Durham

DH3 3AT


Employer's website

https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead

Hillary Bruce

Hillary.bruce@nhs.net

07353158124

Details

Date posted

09 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

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

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

C9439-25-0192

Job locations

Chester Le Street Community Hospital

Front Street

Chester Le Street

County Durham

DH3 3AT


Supporting documents

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