Team Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Neurorehabilitation

NHS; Orpington; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 59,000; Part time

Job description

Job Summary

This Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) post is based within the Neurorehabilitation service at Orpington Hospital. The successful applicant will provide a highly specialist SLT service to adults who have communication and/or swallowing disorders following acquired neurological impairment. Supported by a full-time Band 8a, the Team Lead provides day-to-day leadership to the Neurorehabilitation SLT team on Frank Cooksey Rehabilitation Unit (FCRU) and Ontario Ward.

We would be happy to consider any B6 Speech and Language Therapist well experienced within this specialism who is keen to further specialise and develop into the B7 role.

Main Duties of the Job

Both inpatient services provide multidisciplinary specialist neurorehabilitation for adults with complex acquired brain injury, including head and spinal injury, stroke, and progressive neurological disorders. This post offers great opportunity for development within the specialty supported by close working relationships across the disciplines and within the SLT department as a whole.

About Us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste, and pollution wherever possible.

Date Posted: 17 April 2025

Pay Scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £37,338 to £58,544 a year per annum inclusive HCAS pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Part-time

Reference Number: 213-PRUH-7154601

Job Locations: Orpington Hospital, Sevenoaks Road, Orpington, BR6 9JU

Job Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• To manage an autonomous caseload for the Neurorehabilitation service on Frank Cooksey Rehabilitation Unit and Ontario ward, which will include assessment, differential diagnosis, and specialist SLT management for patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders, following King's College Hospital (KCH) Speech and Language Therapy evidence-based guidelines and abiding by KCH Speech and Language Therapy service standards.
• To provide highly specialist input into policies and protocols regarding the management of patients seen by the Speech and Language Therapy Neurorehabilitation team and wider service.
• To act as a link between all SLTs involved in treating patients in Neurorehabilitation beds and jointly lead the team in order to ensure the patient receives treatment from the most appropriate therapist and that knowledge and resources are shared across the service.
• To work closely and in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team in Neurorehabilitation in assessment, the planning and provision of rehabilitation goals and programmes, negotiating length of stay and discharge arrangements as appropriate.
• To co-ordinate and promote communication developments under the guidance of a senior therapist e.g. mental capacity act issues, developing and delivering training on supporting communication, advising on environmental changes that support those with communication difficulties.
• To act as Rehabilitation Coordinator as appropriate.
• To provide complex and sensitive clinical information to patients and carers in clear, accessible and empathetic format, both in written and verbal form.
• To contribute to instrumental assessments (VF/FEES) and assist in the training and supervision of other SLT staff in these assessments as appropriate.
• To introduce low and high tech communication aids as appropriate and train the patient, their family and friends and the staff on using alternative and augmentative communication aid systems or to refer on to the communication aid therapist at Bowley Close.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• BSc or recognised post-graduate MSc or diploma in speech and language therapy
• Registration with the Health Professions Council
• Postgraduate training in dysphagia management

Desirable

• Member of RCSLT
• Leadership and management training course(s)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience of adult acquired brain injury in a rehabilitation setting, including managing own swallowing and communication caseload and using a range of assessment and therapy techniques
• Experience of specialist assessment and differential diagnosis with a complex caseload
• Experience of risk identification and management including multidisciplinary liaison and decision making.

Desirable

• Good knowledge of communication aids and computer-based communication therapy programmes
• Presentation at CENs/ Membership of CEN committee (A&I)

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Highly motivated and able to demonstrate ability to lead designated clinical area
• Clinical supervision and line management skills
• Ability to work at a senior level in partnership with other professionals and agencies
• Ability to plan and implement appropriate highly specialist treatment packages

Desirable

• Evidence of professionally written and spoken public presentation skills

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: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Orpington Hospital, Sevenoaks Road, Orpington, BR6 9JU

Employer's Website: https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)