Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Speech & Language Therapist

The closing date is 20 November 2026
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Job summary
Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Main duties of the job
NHS Band 6 Salary: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum
Hours Per Week: Full Time, 37.5 hrs
Contract Type: Permanent
Location Base: Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join our dynamic Speech and Language Therapy team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 SLT to work across Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, providing specialist assessment and management of adults with communication and swallowing disorders. The successful candidate will work as part of a supportive team, delivering high-quality patient-centred care across a range of specialities.

About us
The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

Smoke Free Policy:
All of our hospitals operate a strict no smoking policy. Smoking cigarettes or tobacco products is not allowed on any of the grounds or in any of the buildings run by us. This applies to patients, staff, carers and visitors to Trust premises.

Our goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone we care for and, by making sure that our NHS services are smoke-free, we benefit the health of people who use our services as well as the health of the people who work for us.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: REF2763Q
Job locations: Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Hampshire, PO6 3LY, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
The role will involve assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of adults presenting with dysphagia and communication difficulties resulting from a variety of medical conditions. You will work closely with medical, nursing and allied health professional colleagues to support patient recovery, optimise nutrition and hydration, and promote effective communication.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and management of adults with dysphagia and communication difficulties.
• Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and contribute to clinical decision-making.
• Support safe oral intake recommendations and communication strategies.
• Deliver training and advice to patients, families, carers and healthcare staff.
• Contribute to service development, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support and supervise junior staff and students as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in line with Trust and professional standards.

About You
We are seeking a clinician who:

• Holds a recognised Speech and Language Therapy qualification.
• Is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Registered member of the RCSLT.
• Accredited dysphagia post-graduate qualification or equivalent to level C (RCSLT dysphagia competencies).
• Has experience managing adult patients with complex dysphagia and/or communication difficulties.
• Demonstrates excellent clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Has experience of providing supervision.
• Has strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
• Demonstrates our trust values: Working Together For Patients with Compassion as One Team Always Improving.

What We Offer

• A supportive and experienced Speech and Language Therapy team.
• Regular supervision and opportunities for professional and clinical development.
• Access to a wide range of learning and training opportunities.
• Opportunities to work across diverse clinical areas within a large acute teaching Trust.
• Flexible working arrangements where service needs allow.

Informal Enquiries
Informal discussions are welcomed and encouraged. We would be pleased to discuss the role and opportunities available within the team.
For full job details and person specification please refer to enclosed Job description.

Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
• Sensitivity to a broad range of clients
• Supportive excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Proven skills in prioritising and being flexible and adaptable to meet competing priorities
• Efficient and dependable working practices
• Good organisational skills
• Self motivated, assertive, diplomatic and tactful
• Literate and numerate in English
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Recognises when change is needed
• Relevant post-graduate training in areas relevant to caseload
• IT skills
• Motivating

Qualifications
Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification.
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
• Postgraduate dysphagia training and competencies equivalent to RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Framework Level C.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to adult practice.

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: Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Address: Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Hampshire, PO6 3LY, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply via the company portal

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Rachel, rachel.cunningham11@nhs.net

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. All of our hospitals operate a strict no smoking policy.