Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist - Acute and Critical Care

Job Summary
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY
We are delighted to share a rare and exciting opportunity to join our friendly, well-established team as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist working on the acute wards and critical care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The postholder will share responsibility for leading a team of band 5 and 6 SLTs and a band 4 assistant, and will have access to CPD, supervision, peer support and internal and external training opportunities to develop and enhance their leadership skills. The successful candidate will carry a caseload of patients across acute wards, including critical care patients with and without tracheostomies, and those receiving invasive and non-invasive ventilation. Leadership of videofluoroscopy clinics for in- and outpatients, and delivery of the inpatient FEES service, provide ample opportunity to consolidate specialist skills in instrumental assessment of dysphagia. We welcome contact from interested candidates who would like to discuss this post. PLEASE NOTE: We may not be able to offer sponsorship for this post

Main duties of the job
To provide a highly specialist SLT service to patients on the acute wards including critical care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital
To provide cross-cover and support to critical care as required.
To work with other members of the multidisciplinary team to develop services and standards of patient care.
To provide training and support to SLT colleagues or to colleagues from other professions.
To assist the Head of Speech and Language Therapy with service evaluation.
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

About Us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
Improving the experience of staff with disability
Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
Making equalities mainstream

Details
Date posted 03 November 2025
Pay scheme Agenda for change
Band Band 7
Salary £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum plus HCAS
Contract Permanent
Working pattern Full-time
Reference number 197-UT6927A-B
Job locations Queen Elizabeth Hospital Stadium Road London SE18 4QH

Job Description
Job responsibilities Key Result Areas & Performance:
To use highly specialist skills to assess, differentially diagnose and manage complex patients with acquired swallowing and communication disorders on the acute wards and critical care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
To support in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of patients with tracheostomy who have swallowing and communication impairments, and to provide specialist input to these patients where weaning from the tracheostomy is problematic.
To work independently to fulfil the core responsibilities identified below.
To ensure effective joint working with the Multi-Disciplinary Teams in the management and discharge planning of these patients.
To provide training and/or support to other professionals concerning swallowing or communication problems.
To contribute to the development of clinical guidelines which are based upon sound evidence.
To undertake audit and outcome projects with the supervision of the Head of SLT.
To comment on and adhere to service and team plans and policies.

Job Description
Please see attached job description for further details.
Job responsibilities Key Result Areas & Performance:
To use highly specialist skills to assess, differentially diagnose and manage complex patients with acquired swallowing and communication disorders on the acute wards and critical care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
To support in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of patients with tracheostomy who have swallowing and communication impairments, and to provide specialist input to these patients where weaning from the tracheostomy is problematic.
To work independently to fulfil the core responsibilities identified below.
To ensure effective joint working with the Multi-Disciplinary Teams in the management and discharge planning of these patients.
To provide training and/or support to other professionals concerning swallowing or communication problems.
To contribute to the development of clinical guidelines which are based upon sound evidence.
To undertake audit and outcome projects with the supervision of the Head of SLT.
To comment on and adhere to service and team plans and policies.
Please See Attached Job Description For Further Details.

Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Training
Recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy
Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses at a Masters degree equivalent (or an MSc if available in clinical specialism)
Health & Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
Fully registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Desirable Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Network

Experience
Essential Significant specialist experience of working with adults with acquired neurological disorders, particularly Stroke, post registration
Experience of performing and interpreting Videofluoroscopies (GGC Level 3)
Experience of supervising junior SLTs, assistants and students
Experience of rehabilitation and acute work with adults in therapeutic settings
Desirable Experience of performing and interpreting FEES

Knowledge and Skills
Essential Knowledge of the evidence base for effective treatment for adults with communication and swallowing disorders
In-depth knowledge of tracheostomy assessment and management
Well established knowledge of a broad range of relevant assessment tools
Well established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions
In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
Basic IT Skills
In-depth knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
Understanding of the roles of other professionals
Knowledge of standards of record keeping

Personal Qualities and Skills
Essential Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
Highly developed negotiation and problem-solving skills
Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
Excellent organisational skills
Ability to be a good team member & assume leadership responsibilities

Person Specification
Essential Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
Highly developed negotiation and problem-solving skills
Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
Excellent organisational skills
Ability to be a good team member & assume leadership responsibilities

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 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address Queen Elizabeth Hospital Stadium Road London SE18 4QH
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details
Employer name Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address Queen Elizabeth Hospital Stadium Road London SE18 4QH
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)