Acute Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced and specialist SALT with relevant qualifications and expertise in acquired disorders of communication and swallowing to lead a team of adult speech and language therapists at St Helier hospital.

S/he will need to assess and advise on individual communication and swallowing problems, and will advise SLTs, other professionals and carers on communication and swallowing disorders in the hospital setting. S/he will provide specialist training and advice for SLTs and other professionals. Supervising students and mentoring junior staff is a key requirement of the role.

A suitable candidate has significant experience in videofluoroscopy and ideally in FEES.

The postholder will be a highly experienced and specialist SALT with relevant qualifications and expertise in acquired disorders of communication and swallowing. S/he will have his/her own adult caseload at St Helier Hospital and act as the team lead.

S/he will need to assess and advise on individual communication and swallowing problems, and will advise SLTs, other professionals and carers on communication and swallowing disorders in the hospital setting. S/he will provide specialist training and advice for SLTs and other professionals. Supervising students and mentoring junior staff is a key requirement of the role.

As Highly Specialist SLT for acquired communication and swallowing disorders s/he will be providing second opinions on complex cases in the hospital setting. S/he will regularly undertake research and development activities in his/her area of expertise. They will act as a departmental resource for information on assessment tools and materials for working collaboratively with the MDT and other professionals. S/he will regularly be involved in SLT service development. S/he will work within a broad remit using RCSLT/HPC and ESTH and departmental policies for guidance.

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.