Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist ALD/Dysphagia: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

Are you an experienced Speech & Language Therapist, with a passion for supporting adults with learning disabilities with communication and dysphagia? We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join our Adult Learning Disabilities Service, within Hywel Dda University Health Board, based in beautiful Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

You will provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and management of complex communication and swallowing needs, across the Hywel Dda region. Working within our multidisciplinary Community Learning Disabilities Team and wider SLT team, you will help deliver high-quality, person-centred care. You will contribute to service development and work closely with supportive colleagues.

At Hywel Dda UHB, our values–putting people at the heart of everything we do, striving for excellent services, and working together to be the best we can be–guide our work. In this role, you will embody these values by supporting individuals with complex communication and/or dysphagia needs, ensuring their voices are heard, their choices respected and their goals central to every decision.

Applications are welcomed from candidates who do not currently hold the required competencies, where suitable, appointment may be made under Annex 21 with support to achieve these whilst in post.

Main duties of the job

You will provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for adults with learning disabilities and dysphagia, using evidence-based approaches to support safe, effective care. Working collaboratively with individuals, families, and colleagues, you will develop person-centred care plans and offer clear specialist advice.

You will contribute to the development and review of clinical pathways, guidelines, and service standards within the Adult Learning Disabilities service. You will support clinical audit, inform service planning, and help promote best practice across the Health Board.

You will provide supervision to SLT colleagues and students, and deliver specialist training to staff, carers, and partner professionals to support skill development and confidence across the team.

You will manage your own caseload independently, prioritising to meet service needs across Pembrokeshire. You will maintain accurate documentation, contribute to routine data collection and ensure the safe use of clinical equipment in line with professional and organisational standards.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
• Evidence of successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Masters Degree or equivalent level, and relevant to area of clinical expertise
• Dysphagia competencies mapped to Enhanced level of the Royal College for Speech and Language Therapy Speech and Language Therapist eating, drinking and swallowing competency framework, 2025
• HCPC registration
• RCSLT Membership
• Member of Relevant CEN/SIG/PPG
• Knowledge and experience of working with patients who have a learning disability including a wide range of specialist assessment tools and procedures and therapeutic interventions,
• Extensive experience of managing complex cases relevant to the area of expertise.
• Understanding of key policies, documents, guidelines and legislation relevant to the role.

Desirable

• Basic Counselling
• Knowledge of a range of research approaches
• Understanding of principles of change management

Experience

Essential

• Extensive post registration clinical experience relevant to the post including proven caseload management, time management skills and management of change
• Experience of audit / service evaluation
• Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
• Supporting less experienced staff, including SLT Associate Practitioners, and SLT Student placements, inclusive of assessment, and experience of providing second opinions to SLTs and other professionals
• Demonstrable leadership experience

Desirable

• Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh
• Supervision/line management of SLTs

Other

Essential

• Able to work in a variety of sites based upon service need
• Have a full drivers’ licence and access to a car, to travel across the county in order to undertake home visits in a timely manner, whilst transporting necessary equipment.
• Flexible approach to service needs and in responding to work pressures

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Closing Date: 5 October 2026