Acute Lead Speech & Language Therapist

Job summary
The Adult SLT team at Darent Valley Hospital have an exciting opportunity for a part-time [0.8wte] permanent Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join our team at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. We are also happy to consider part-time working or a job-share arrangement for the right candidate. This is a key leadership role within a dynamic, forward-thinking team serving a diverse caseload, including the hospital's 15-bedded Intensive Care Unit.

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and motivated clinician with highly specialist expertise in acute care. You will work alongside established Band 7 Acute Lead colleagues, providing clinical leadership and supporting therapists and therapy assistants in managing a varied and fast-paced caseload.

Experience in critical care and tracheostomy management would be a significant advantage. We also welcome applicants who are keen to develop these skills, as the team is committed to providing structured support to help build confidence in these areas.

The service benefits from weekly videofluoroscopy and FEES clinics, and prior competency in these assessments is highly desirable - we would support the development of these competencies further.

You will work closely with the Band 8 Inpatient Lead SLT, collaborate with the Stroke SLT team, and be supported by a well-established Outpatient service and excellent administrative staff.

Main duties of the job
Leadership & Professional Development
Strong leadership skills are essential. You will play an active role in shaping the service through:

• Clinical governance, service evaluation and ongoing development
• Line management and supervision of SLT colleagues
• Leading and contributing to audits, quality improvement projects and training initiatives
• Delivering teaching across wards and multidisciplinary teams
• Supporting junior SLTs, SLTAs and students

What We Offer
We are committed to creating a positive and supportive working environment where staff feel valued and encouraged to grow. You will have access to:

• Regular clinical and managerial supervision
• Peer support within a highly collaborative team
• A wide range of CPD opportunities, both formal and informal
• Opportunities to contribute to service innovation and cross-disciplinary working
• A team passionate about raising the profile of Speech and Language Therapy across the Trust

Please watch our recruitment video to hear more. Apply through our website.

We would be delighted to welcome another enthusiastic and committed SLT to our team.

If you would like further information or wish to discuss the role, please contact View email address on meeveem.com or call View phone number on meeveem.com. Visits to the department are warmly encouraged.

About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Details
Date posted: 28 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £51,657 to £58,785 a year per annum pro rata inclusive of allowances
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number: 252-8182026-B
Job locations: Darent Valley Hospital, Darenth Wood Road, Dartford, DA2 8DA, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Clinical responsibilities:

• Provide specialist differential diagnosis, clinical advice and care plans/therapy to clients with communication and/or swallowing implementing specialist programmes as a highly specialist member of the SLT Team
• Liaise with the SLT inpatient lead and the SLT acute lead at DVH regarding the acute caseload of patients and day to day associated team management
• Manage and prioritise own highly specialist caseload independently
• Contribute to specialist clinical teams by discussing own and others input around clients needs ensuring a well co-ordinated care plan
• Make appropriate clinical decisions following highly specialist assessment, including recognising potential breakdown
• Make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from highly specialist assessment
• Reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of the clients communication and identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness
• Determine the clinical need for videofluoroscopy or FEES assessment for clients and assist in the assessment and analysis to devise an appropriate management plan
• Responsible for devising and delivering a specialist package of care which is appropriate to the client group and the individual client circumstances.
• Work closely with clients, carers and families, agreeing decision making relevant to the client management including situations involving end of life issues
• Ensure that clients and carers are involved in the planning and implementation of their specialist care plans

Please see attached job description for further details

Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group
• Knowledge of range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills
• IT Literate

Education and Training
Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practise
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses
• Evidence of CPD relevant to role

Desirable

• Leadership training or qualification

Experience
Essential

• Significant postgraduate experience in associated specialties
• Experience of management of a wide range of complex pathologies
• Experience in supervision and clinical education of more junior staff, students and assistants

Desirable

• Experience of tracheostomy assessment and management
• Experience carrying out videofluoroscopy and/or FEES assessment including analysis and report writing
• Experience in line management

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).

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.