Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Stroke/Neuro - Fixed Term

The closing date is 18 November 2026

Job summary
Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Stroke and Neuro

Note: The Trust does not provide a Visa Sponsorship for this role.

This is an exciting fixed-term opportunity to join our Speech and Language Therapy team, following additional funding for a Band 6 Specialist SLT post within our stroke and neuro service.

The post is offered on a full-time basis, although part-time working options would be considered. We would welcome applications from experienced SLTs working across a range of settings, including those currently working in community services or other clinical areas who are looking for an opportunity to broaden their experience within acute stroke and neurorehabilitation.

This will be a predominantly clinical role, providing direct assessment and intervention for patients across the Acute Stroke Unit and Neurorehabilitation Unit, with flexibility to support neuro/stroke patients elsewhere within the hospital as required. The additional clinical capacity provided by the post will also support evaluation of the impact of increased SLT provision, helping to inform future service planning.

You will join a supportive and established SLT service comprising SLTs, SLT assistants, an SLT apprentice and administrative support, and will work as part of the wider multidisciplinary teams supporting patients throughout their stroke and neurorehabilitation pathway.

Main duties of the job
This post is based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. You will be participating in:

• Providing specialist assessment, therapy and management for patients with communication and swallowing difficulties across the stroke and neurorehabilitation pathways.
• Working collaboratively as part of the SLT and wider multidisciplinary teams.
• Providing supervision and support to other members of the team, where appropriate.
• Contributing to training for members of the MDT in relevant areas of stroke and neurological care.

About us
We are one of the largest hospital foundation trusts in the country, and currently touch the lives of half a million patients in the west of Berkshire every year by providing high quality acute medical and surgical services for our local communities.

Our values:

• Compassionate
• Aspirational
• Resourceful
• Excellent

The town of Reading sits on the River Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford, and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work, and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.

The CQC rated the care provided by The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.

Details
Date posted: 11 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 4 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 193-8406173NCG
Job locations: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN, United Kingdom

Job description
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details of the job role.
We would encourage applicants to contact the team for more information.

Person Specification
Education

• Essential: Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent licence to practice
• Essential: Registered member of RCSLT
• Essential: Registered member of HCPC
• Desirable: Competencies in VF and/or FEES
• Desirable: CPD

Essential

• Evidence of Dysphagia competencies in complex dysphagia management, such as RCSLT dysphagia competency framework
• Evidence of successful post-graduate study through CPD portfolio

Previous Experience

• Essential: Significant post graduate experience
• Essential: Experience of MDT working
• Essential: Changing own practice in response to evidence
• Essential: Relevant specialist experience post qualification
• Desirable: Developing and delivery training packages to other disciplines, carers and service users

Skills

• Essential: Well established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist area
• Essential: Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Desirable: Awareness of other relevant policies including Vulnerable adult/other relevant legal frameworks.

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: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Neuro Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Natasha Bruce, natasha.bruce9@nhs.net, 01183225205

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