Job Summary
Join our dynamic and dedicated acute inpatient team as a Speech and Language Therapy Team Lead, where you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality care at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and driving service excellence for patient with complex communication and swallowing needs.
The Adult Speech & Language Therapy Team within Airedale NHS Foundation Trust works with adults who have a range of acquired and long term conditions in both acute and community settings.
It is essential that you are able to work as part of a team with excellent communication, organisation and planning skills.
Main duties of the job
Clinical
- Ensure the team provides a timely and efficient clinical service to patients with reference to service priorities and responding to the changing needs of the team and the service.
- Ensure that all patients receive a high standard of clinical care from the team and that all team members meet the standards expected
- Use investigative and analytical skills to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the patient. Formulate individual management and treatment plans, using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills
- Monitor and evaluate the outcome of specialist interventions in partnership with the service user if possible, with the carer if necessary and in consultation with colleagues.
- Collaborate with the MDT to develop and improve patient pathways.
Leadership and Management
- Organise and manage staff for inpatient SALT as agreed with the service managers. This will include informal management of absence and discipline and facilitation of regular team meetings.
- Have an overview of the team’s capacity and demand: Ensure protocols are followed, there is adequate cover across working hours and that all team members have an appropriate balance of clinical and professional activities.
- Recognise and respond to changing team priorities and unforeseen situations that take precedence over planned work.
- Contribute to the planning and development of the Adult Speech and Language Therapy team in partnership with the operational managers and other Team Leaders.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent pre-registration award in Speech and Language Therapy with a certificate to practice recognised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- State registration with the Health Care Professions Council
- Post graduate Dysphagia qualification with min 12 months experience of managing complex dysphagia
- Recent post graduate courses relevant to acute inpatient Speech and Language Therapy
- Completion of course in Professional Practice education
Desirable
- MSc or PhD in a relevant subject
- Post-graduate Diploma in Advanced Practice
- Certificate in Managing Health Services or equivalent
- Successful completion of a Professionally validated specialist course
- Involvement in relevant Professional Clinical Excellence Network
Experience
Essential
- Significant post graduate experience including recent experience in the NHS
- Highly specialist knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, treatment and general management of a wide range of swallowing and communication difficulties associated with acquired neurological disorders.
- High level of knowledge and experience delivering a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and evidence-based practice.
- Recent experience of team leadership and management.
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience of multidisciplinary guideline development, implementation and audit
- Experience of clinical supervision both as supervisee and supervisor
- Experience of supervising other staff members and conducting annual reviews
Desirable
- Recent experience of leadership /management role
- Experience of taking part in or leading on Projects/ service improvements
- Experience of taking part in or leading an audit or research project
- Experience in dealing with Human Resource issues such as recruitment and retention, performance management, sickness and annual leave
Knowledge
Essential
- Highly specialist level of knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to support expert clinical practice in the community setting
- Knowledge of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working with key stakeholders in inpatients
- Knowledge of clinical standards and ability to implement and audit these in the team
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, audit and research
- Knowledge of the principles of student-centred learning and reflective practice
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate knowledge of complex ad ethical decision making in dysphagia 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.
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).
Closing Date: 26 June 2025
