Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist / Clinical Lead for Augmentative Alterna

Nhsscotland; Dumfries; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Dumfries is looking for a dedicated Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist as Clinical Lead for AAC. The role involves leading clinical pathways across the area while supporting a talented team. Applicants should have expertise in AAC and communication therapies. Ongoing training and professional development are part of the role. The position requires flexibility to work in various community locations, making independent driving essential. Competitive support and working conditions are offered.

Benefits

Ongoing training and support

Annual Development Review

Flexible working locations

Qualifications

• Expertise in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and Total Communication.
• Experience in a clinical role, preferably Band 6 or 7.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the AAC & TC clinical pathway across the region.
• Support a team of therapists and SLT Assistant Practitioners.
• Collaborate with families and partner agencies for optimal outcomes.

Skills

Speech and Language Therapy

Clinical Leadership

Communication Skills

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Are you looking to be part of a friendly, dynamic Speech and Language Therapy team for children and young people? Would you like to belong to a team committed to developing innovative ways of working and encouraging personal and professional development? If so, we have a post for you.

This post is for a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist in the role of Clinical Lead for Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and Total Communication. We are looking for an experienced clinician with an expert level skill set in this dynamic clinical area. However, we also welcome applications from existing experienced Band 6 clinicians who are looking for a new challenge.

You will lead our AAC & TC clinical pathway across the region, supporting a highly motivated and skilled team of therapists, SLT Assistant Practitioners and SLT Support Workers. You will be working collaboratively with families and partner agencies to achieve the best outcomes for our CYPs ensuring implementation of UNCRC and Scottish AAC Legislation plus . Prevention and early intervention is a high priority with a focus on skill sharing and tailoring support according to the needs of individuals and their families. The service is fully aligned to Ready to Act (2016) with offers at universal, targeted and individualised care (specialist) and each Pathway team committed to delivering support at each level.

Ongoing support and training is available through your individualised job plan. Operational, Professional and Clinical supervision are key aspects of the service and you will have an Annual Development Review and Preceptorship. This post is based in the Willows Children’s and Families Centre alongside AHP, Health Visiting, School Nursing and CAMHS colleagues. However, you will be asked to work in a variety of locations across the community including Early Years and School settings and family homes, and therefore must be able to drive independently.

Dumfries and Galloway is situated in the beautiful South West of Scotland with spectacular countryside, wide ranging leisure facilities, excellent schools and affordable housing. There are easy travel links to all the major cities in Scotland, North England and Northern Ireland.

If you would like to talk about this post please contact Eilidh Ross, Team Lead at [e-mail] or on MS Teams at [e-mail]

If this is not the right post for you but you are interested in working as part of our team as a registered therapist, we would be happy to hear from you.

If you require a Work Visa, please check to see if you and the vacancy you are applying for are eligible by visiting the Home Office website: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

INFORMATION FOR ALL CANDIDATES

To find out more about working with NHS Dumfries and Galloway and for an insight into our friendly, beautiful corner of Scotland please visit our Work With Us web pages https://www.nhsdg.co.uk/workwithus/

APPLICATION PROCESS - https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/

Please note that our correspondence method is by e-mail, therefore please ensure you enter your email address accurately. Please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and also your Jobtrain account for updates.

Please contact Jobtrain Candidate Support Hub - https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home for advice and support with any system issues.

• Accessing Jobtrain - Users may experience issues if accessing Jobtrain via mobile phone, we recommend using a computer, laptop or tablet.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.
• CVs - DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
• Assessment Form - Within the application you are required to answer three questions giving you the opportunity to fully evidence why you are the ideal person for the job. Please ensure these statements are written by yourself and are unique to you. This section times out after 30 minutes. A tip is to build your reply on a Word document and copy and paste into Jobtrain. If you exceed the maximum amount of characters it will cut your text at this point, please check your information once copied and pasted.
• Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments.
• Posts close at midnight on the indicated date however please be aware that a vacancy may close early due to volume of applications, therefore you should not delay in submitting your application.
• If you are a member of staff please ensure you update your Jobtrain profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
• Staff and patients across Dumfries and Galloway enjoy free, unlimited parking at all our hospital sites.
  
  

DISCLOSURE SCOTLAND – Some of our posts may require you to undergo a criminal records check. Changes as of the 1 April 2025 to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership now sees more roles requiring PVG that may not have needed this check in the past. If you are successful in this role you will be notified which level of check is required by the recruitment team. If you would like to read more information please visit: Disclosure levels - mygov.scot

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Dumfries and Galloway welcomes applicants from all sections of the community.

PUBLIC PROTECTION

Public protection practice encompasses the recognition and management of risk in order to prevent or reduce harm to children, (including unborn babies), young people and adults. All public protection legislation, and NHS Dumfries and Galloway (NHSDG) policies and guidance are founded on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights, and the principles of these Conventions underpin all NHSDG core business.

Additional Information For International Candidates

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

NHS Dumfries and Galloway has a legal obligation to ensure that it does not employ any worker who has not been granted the relevant permission to work in the UK. This permission is without exception granted by the UK Border Agency. We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category.

WORK VISA

If you require a Work Visa, please check to see if you and the vacancy you are applying for are eligible by visiting the Home Office website: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or if you require a work visa that the post would be eligible to be sponsoredBEFORE submitting your application form. We are unable to provide sponsorship for bank contracts.

UNITED KINGDOM REGISTRATION

NHS Dumfries & Galloway are unable to support OSCE Training for international nurses for vacancies.

Vacancies requiring professional registration require full United Kingdom registration with the appropriate council (eg NMC, HCPC, GMC, GDC etc).