Specialist Speech and Language Therapist – Adult Acute: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly and supportive Adult Acute Speech and Language Therapy team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

You will provide specialist assessment and management for adults with acquired swallowing and communication disorders across a varied and clinically complex caseload. Working within a major teaching hospital and regional specialist centre, you will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary colleagues and receive support from experienced senior clinicians.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate SLT with relevant post-registration experience in adult dysphagia and acquired communication disorders. You should be able to manage a caseload with appropriate autonomy and demonstrate sound clinical reasoning, effective teamwork and a commitment to evidence-based practice.

This is a permanent post of 30 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

You will provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy input to a defined adult acute caseload, independently assessing, diagnosing and managing patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders.

They will prioritise and manage their workload, formulate evidence-based management plans and contribute to coordinated multidisciplinary care. The role includes providing specialist advice to patients, families, carers and professionals and supporting continuity of care on transfer or discharge.

You will contribute to videofluoroscopy and other instrumental swallowing assessments in accordance with their level of competence. Previous experience or competency in videofluoroscopy would be desirable; however, training and supervised competency development will be provided where required. They will also contribute to tracheostomy management and participate in student supervision, teaching, audit, clinical governance and service development.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent.
• HCPC Registration.
• RCSLT member.
• Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent.
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses in communication and swallowing disorders in neurology.

Desirable

• Member of relevant RCSLT CEN(s).

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience at undergraduate/post graduate level (pre-qualification).
• Post graduate experience in the areas of dysphagia and communication, including proven independent assessment, treatment and management of a neurological caseload.
• Undertaking videofluoroscopic examinations.
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals.
• Experience of supervising students.
• Involvement in multidisciplinary working.

Desirable

• Experience in managing patients with tracheostomies.

Knowledge

Essential

• Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia.
• Demonstrate knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group.
• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance / audit and use of outcome measures.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group.
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills.
• Good auditory and perceptual discriminator skills for analysis of voice and speech, including phonetic transcription.
• Ability to analyse and interpret videofluoroscopic examinations.
• Good presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member.
• Negotiation and problem solving skills.
• Good analytical and reflection skills.
• Prioritisation and organisational skills.
• Demonstrates ability to lead on service projects.
• Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials.

Desirable

• Counselling Skills.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of kind, safe and excellent. This behaviour is outlined on the final page of this person specification.

Closing Date: 27 August 2026