Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£49,387 - £56,515
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Colchester, CO5 5HG
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	3 Aug 2026
Closing date:	17 Aug 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

In addition to the above: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical Duties: 1. Undertake highly specialised assessments and interventions using expert clinical reasoning for adults and adolescents with severe and enduring mental illness, co-morbidities and complex communication needs. 2. Assess and manage speech, language and communication difficulties that affect engagement in psychiatric assessment, MDT therapeutic interventions, treatment planning, capacity and risk assessments. 3. Provide specialist assessment and management of eating, drinking and Dysphasia associated with mental illness, Dementia, frailty, neurological conditions and medication side effects. 4. Support MDTs to make reasonable adjustments for patients with communication difficulties. 5. Provide specialist clinical input into complex risk and capacity assessment and care planning where communication difficulties influence presentation, behaviour or treatment engagement. 6. Lead on communication support strategies that enhance recovery, reduce distress and improve therapeutic engagement. 7. To manage a complex caseload, communicate agreed treatment/care plans to multi-disciplinary team colleagues and partnership agencies at formal and informal meetings and provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy advice, 8. To apply a variety of specialist treatment modalities to meet the needs of patients, utilising clinical reasoning processes to determine the most appropriate intervention and manage efficacy through outcome measures as appropriate. 9. To delegate and monitor aspects of patient care to assistants, junior staff, students, carers and statutory or non-statutory bodies. 10. To regularly review clients progress in order to evaluate and interpret the effectiveness of treatment plans, and amend treatment or discharge clients accordingly. 11. To undertake research and audit to develop and initiate interventions that are evidence based and reflect a sound integration of theoretical knowledge in order to meet patient need. 12. To keep up to date clinical records in line with professional standards and local record keeping policies. 13. To provide written and verbal reports as required at any stage in the treatment process in line with Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Governance Standards. None Clinical: 1. Provide professional leadership, promote evidence-based practice and clinical supervision for Speech and Language Therapists, assistants, apprentices and students. 2. Assume line management responsibility for Speech and Language Therapy staff consistent with Trust HR and Performance processes. Including such duties as induction, preceptorship, capability, and mandatory training compliance. 3. Provide consultation and specialist advice to multidisciplinary colleagues regarding communication needs, dysphagia management and reasonable adjustments. 4. Lead clinical discussions relating to complex cases and contribute to multidisciplinary decision-making processes. 5. In collaboration, steer the development, implementation and evaluation of Speech and Language Therapy within mental health inpatient care, including the identification of service gaps and opportunities to improve access, outcomes and patient experience. 6. Maintain professional standards in accordance with HCPC and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists guidance. 7. Review and update clinical pathways, protocols and standards of practice aligned with national guidance and local priorities. 8. Actively engage in audits, service evaluations, and quality improvement projects, use outcome measure data to inform service improvements and demonstrate impact. 9. Lead training programmes for multidisciplinary staff on communication needs, dysphagia, reasonable adjustments and communication-inclusive practice. 10. Contribute to recruitment, induction and retention of Speech and Language Therapy staff, including student placements and support workforce development. 11. Contribute to investigations, complaints responses and learning reviews where communication or swallowing needs are relevant. 12. Ensure appropriate policies, procedures and documentation standards are implemented and maintained. 13. Attend Allied Health Professional and any role or profession specific meetings and deliver training where indicated. 14. Attend appropriate training and maintain a continuing professional development portfolio. 15. To undertake annual appraisal and contribute constructively to the supervision process. ADDITIONAL DUTIES In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below key activities in line with your job role; - Complete mandatory training in line with Trust policy and procedures - To participate in the staff appraisal process and to undertake for any staff you manage - To keep yourself updated on all matters relating to Trust policy - To provide management supervision where appropriate - You will be expected to work collaboratively with key partner organisations, service users, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team in delivering services; providing a 7-day a week, 24-hours a day service for 365 days a year working shifts, where appropriate and operationally required.

Apply for this job