Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Complex Needs DysphagiainSt AlbansinSt AlbansPUBLISHED FRI 31 JAN 2025
The successful candidate will play a significant role within an innovative CYP Therapies service, known for its commitment to high-quality care and professional development. Applicants should possess strong communication, clinical reasoning, and organisational skills, with the ability to work both collaboratively and independently. The position offers opportunities for professional growth, including facilitating supervision groups and engaging in in-house training. The Trust values staff support and community, aiming to create a positive and flexible working environment. Both full-time and part-time applications are welcome, and a valid driving license is required for regular business use.
We are looking to recruit to an experienced SLT with specialist (or developing specialist) dysphagia competencies, and who has experience working with school age children and young people (CYP) with complex communication needs associated with a range of medical conditions, including those who require Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC).
o Work within a multidisciplinary team in community and specialist provisions, working with other health, education, and social care professionals, to carry out specialist assessments of CYP with complex communication needs, including AAC and eating and drinking needs.
o Provide eating and drinking management plans to minimise aspiration risk and optimise safe and efficient eating and drinking, including referrals onto other services as required / indicated.
o Complete communication assessments as part of the EHCP process.
o Provide second opinions for children with complex needs and/or eating and drinking needs attending mainstream schools and other specialist provisions.
o Work collaboratively with highly specialist SLT colleagues to develop the service and ensure best practice and delivery of high-quality care systems.
o Provide professional support and supervision to less experienced colleagues and support the development of dysphagia competencies within the teams as indicated/appropriate.
About us
Please see Job Description attached, which details the responsibilities within this post.
You will be joining an innovative and agile CYP Therapies service committed to delivering high quality care and transforming lives. Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust provides Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county. Our service is jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings.
Successful candidates will be enthusiastic and motivated. Advanced communication, clinical reasoning and organisational skills are essential. You must be a team player but be able to work autonomously and have the ability to champion the needs of children and young people through upskilling the wider workforce. As a highly specialist SLT, there will be opportunities for you to facilitate professional supervision groups and provide managerial supervision to less experienced colleagues.
You will be joining a well-established, supportive team of therapists and assistants. CYP Therapies at HCT pride ourselves on the support we provide to staff. Please see below comments from a current member of the team:
I love working in CYPT/HCT - everyone in the team is super dedicated. There is strong management support, but also space for being flexible and creative to meet childrens needs; innovation & good practice is valued and encouraged. I enjoy & appreciate the robust supervision structures, training in supervision & coaching, and the many opportunities for personal development and learning, including for example in-house training days and tutorials. I have worked in many teams across Hertfordshire, all without exception friendly and welcoming. There is an ethos of peer support and encouragement & sharing learning; everyone works hard but there is a sense of belonging and always time for a quick chat and plenty of laughs. I feel valued here and I value my lovely colleagues and the fabulous children & young people we work with.
If you have any questions at all or you would like to come and visit us, please do contact us - we are only too happy to help and would love to tell you more about our Service.
Applications for full time and part time work will be considered. A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2.
In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of £1,192 and a maximum payment of £2,per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).
If you would like to contact us for further information about this post, please contact Katie Tucker, Operational Manager, on .
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