Are you a qualified Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) eager to specialise in managing swallowing difficulties and developing your leadership skills in an acute inpatient setting? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our dynamic East Sussex Speech & Language Therapy service. This position is available as a Band 6 post or as a Band 6 Development post (starting at 70% of the Band 6 entry point under Annex U).

Why Join Us?

Protected CPD Time: Enjoy dedicated time for Continuing Professional Development with monthly clinical forums, regular supervision, and access to external training and CENs. Opportunities to complete post-qualification competencies such as videofluoroscopy, FEES, and tracheostomy are available.

Innovative Learning: Participate in regional videofluoroscopy clinics, award-winning swallow disorder clinics, and FEES. You will have the chance to gain experience on a busy hyper-acute and acute Stroke Unit at Eastbourne Hospital working with cutting-edge swallow rehabilitation tools such as IOPI, Ampcare, and EMST. A research active team, we are currently taking part in the national PhEAST study which you will have to opportunity to learn about.

Integrated Service: Become part of a county-wide SLT service, offering opportunities to work across both acute and community settings.

Collaborative Team: Be part of an interdisciplinary team dedicated to high-quality patient care and professional growth.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist who has completed their NQP competencies (ideally with post-basic dysphagia training) and is looking for their next step. This role will allow you to:

Work alongside highly specialist SLTs and assistants in community services, including rehabilitation, voice, head & neck cancer, stroke, critical care, and neurological degenerative conditions.

Gain experience in MDT working and rehabilitation across various clinical settings.

Contribute to service improvement and innovative research projects, with time set aside in your job plan for development and collaboration.

Engage in student education through our partnerships with higher education institutions, including pioneering virtual clinics using 360 cameras.

About us

We are proud to provide 'Outstanding' care and be a great place to work

We provide safe, compassionate and high quality care to half a million people living or visiting East Sussex. We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex, the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. Our extensive services are provided by 7000 + members of staff working from acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites and in people's own homes.

In 2020 the Care Quality Commission rated us as 'Good' overall, and 'Outstanding' for being caring and effective. The Conquest Hospital and our Community Services are rated 'Outstanding'. Eastbourne DGH rated 'Good'.

In 2020, the Trust launched its ambitious 'Building for our Future' programme. This once in a lifetime programme aims to repair, redevelop and expand our hospitals, transforming the environment in which we provide care for generations to come.

Why Work with Us?

We offer a comprehensive in-service education program, supported by close links with the University of Brighton and other academic institutions.

Relocation Support: A relocation package is available for successful candidates.

Progressive Environment: We actively promote staff development through postgraduate courses, CENs, and in-house clinical forums.

Join our award-winning team and take the next step in your SLT career in a supportive, innovative, and collaborative environment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group)
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit
• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
• Awareness of the wider context of the NHS within specialist clinical field
• Knowledge of record keeping standards
• Evidence of CPD in previous year
• Knowledge of client centre practice
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Good presentation skills both written and verbal
• Negotiation and problem-solving skills
• The ability to verbalise the clinical reasoning process in the management of routine cases
• Motivated to work flexibly with an inter-professional framework
• Evidence of initiative and ability to use own initiative within boundaries of role
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to implement and respond to change
• Ability to work alone when required
• Good IT skills

Desirable

• Experience of systmone

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience at undergraduate/post graduate level
• To have worked under the supervision of a clinical specialist
• Experience of client centred goals
• Experience of managing own caseload and prioritisation

Desirable

• Experience of working within an acute setting
• Experience of mentoring students/assistants
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
• Experience of training other professionals

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Completion of RCSLT NQP competencies

Desirable

• Completion of specialist short courses in communication disorders/AAC
• Dysphagia trained, meeting the specialist level C RCSLT dysphagia competency framework

Other

Essential

• Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
• Ability to move between locations in a cost effective and timely manner
• Able to be flexible about duties and role

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Eastbourne District General Hospital

Kings Drive

Eastbourne

BN21 2UD

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

374-KNDA007-C