Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the Stroke Team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn.

This new post provides an excellent opportunity for an experienced therapist wanting to specialise within stroke and consolidate their knowledge and skills in managing more complex patients with acquired swallowing and communication impairments within the acute stroke MDT.

Post will provide specialist SLT assessment and management for patients with acquired communication and/or swallowing impairments, predominantly on the hyper-acute and acute stroke wards here at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Main duties of the job

• To utilise specialist skills in the assessment, diagnosis and management of acquired communication and swallowing disorders within stroke speciality.
• To work predominantly on our acute stroke unit but also providing support to the acute medical wards as required.
• To work closely within the community and acute stroke multidisciplinary teams including external agencies such as the Stroke Association

About us
There's never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH. We're working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital due to open in 2031/32 and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we've ever undertaken.

Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.

At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs.

We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as 'Good', and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.

We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome. We love working here and think you will too.

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification
Qualifications/training and professional development
Essential

• Attainment of recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy as recognised by RCLST and HCPC
• Current Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
• Evidence of successful completion of at least foundation level dysphagia competencies
• Evidence of ongoing CPD to meet regulatory body professional standards

Desirable

• Membership of RCLST
• Membership of any relevant special interest groups (CENs)

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of working with dysphagia at post graduate level
• Significant experience of working with acquired communication difficulties
• Evidence of effective working in a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience in delivering education and training packages
• Experience of using Videofluoroscopy and/or FEES to inform patient management

Skills, abilities and knowledge
Essential

• High level of competency in the assessment and management of adults with a range of acquired communication and swallowing disorders
• Ability to prioritise and manage a large caseload effectively
• Able to work independently and recognise when to seek support for clinical issues
• Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to other professionals in both formal and informal environments in an appropriate and accessible manner

Desirable

• To have knowledge of national policies, guidelines and standards relevant to client group

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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).

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: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT
Address: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust, Gayton Road, King's Lynn, PE30 4ET, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.qehkl.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
Jane Veall
jane.veall@qehkl.nhs.uk
01553613471

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.