Job overview

We are delighted to be advertising this exciting and rewarding band 5 rotational Speech and Language Therapist role. Our band 5 programme currently offers rotations in stroke, neuro and general acute. 

This post is ideal for a patient-centred, friendly and enthusiastic SLT who is keen to work in a stimulating environment alongside skilled colleagues from a range of professions. 

The department of dietetics and speech and language therapy employs approximately 130 staff, with clinical experts working across the range of specialties, providing acute services in both adults and paediatrics. As a tertiary hospital, we have senior SLTs in a wide range of specialist areas.

 There is access to regular CPD sessions, and opportunities to engage in service development and research.

The onsite Wellbeing Hub is an excellent resource for staff complete with a café, various meeting spaces, a free gym and changing facilities.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

 We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

 Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

 We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

If you are the successful candidate, you will:

•    Work as part of the Acute and Stroke SLT team, in one of our band 5 rotational areas.
•    Provide regular communication assessment and therapy to patients with complex needs.
•    Provide regular swallow assessment and therapy if competent/ be supported to complete your dysphagia competencies 
•    Continually represent the SLT service within the acute service. 
•    Be innovative in your approach to patient care and service delivery, whilst being part of MDT service initiatives.
•    Offer training, supervision and support to less experienced SLTs and other staff.
•    Be available to cover bank holidays and provide weekend working alongside more senior staff 

If you are:

•    Experienced in working with patients with communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of a range of a range of acute diagnoses,
•    Experienced in representing SLT in an MDT setting, and effectively advocating for patients’ needs,
•    Experienced in working in an acute hospital, and
•    Experienced in planning, delivering and evaluating clinical audits, service evaluations and/or research,
  we would love to hear from you.

Please note the interviews will contain a practical element and therefore be in-person.

For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for.