Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Esht; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A trusted healthcare organization in Eastbourne is hiring a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to manage swallowing difficulties in an acute care setting. This Band 6 permanent role includes opportunities for professional development, research participation, and collaboration across services. Candidates require a recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree, relevant experience, and must be registered with the appropriate professional bodies. This position provides a supportive work environment with comprehensive staff benefits.

Benefits

Staff development opportunities

NHS pension scheme

Access to onsite nurseries

Free psychological support

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) with recognised degree.
• Registered member of the relevant professional body.
• Dysphagia trained with specialist competencies.

Responsibilities

• Manage swallowing difficulties in an acute setting.
• Contribute to service improvement projects.
• Engage in multidisciplinary team working.

Skills

Collaborative team working

Client-centred goals

Dysphagia trained

Mentoring students

Education

Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree

Health Professionals Council – Licence to practice

Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Main area Therapist Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 374-KN265-A

Site Conquest Hospital Town Conquest Salary £38,682 - £46,580 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 27/01/2026 23:59

We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust is one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700m and is the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.

Job overview

Are you a qualified Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) ready to specialise in managing swallowing difficulties and develop leadership skills in an acute inpatient setting? This Band 6 position offers protected time for Continuing Professional Development, monthly clinical forums, supervision and external training. You will access video fluoroscopic clinics, FEES, tracheostomy, and work on a busy hyper‑acute and acute Stroke Unit at Eastbourne Hospital using specialised tools such as IOPI, Ampcare and EMST. You will also participate in research projects, including the national PhEAST study, and collaborate across a county‑wide SLT service linking acute and community settings.

Why Join Us?

• Protected time for continuing professional development with monthly clinical forums, supervision and access to external training and CENs.
• Experience in regional videofluoroscopy clinics, award‑winning swallow disorder clinics and FEES.
• Opportunities to complete post‑qualification competencies.
• Research active team delivering national studies.

Main duties of the job

• Work alongside highly specialist SLTs and assistants in community services, including rehabilitation, voice, head & neck cancer, stroke, critical care, and neurological degenerative conditions.
• Gain experience in multidisciplinary team working and rehabilitation across various clinical settings.
• Contribute to service improvement and innovative research projects, with time set aside in your job plan for development and collaboration.
• Engage in student education through partnerships with higher education institutions and pioneer virtual clinics using 360° cameras.

Working for our organisation

A wide range of staff benefits are available, including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto‑enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries, staff restaurants and accommodation. All staff have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. On‑site parking is available for £50 a year.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.
• Health Professionals Council – Licence to practice.
• Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.
• Completion of RCSLT NQP competencies.
• Completion of specialist short courses in communication disorders/AAC.
• Dysphagia trained, meeting the specialist level C RCSLT dysphagia competency framework.

Experience

• Relevant experience at undergraduate/postgraduate level.
• Worked under the supervision of a clinical specialist.
• Experience of client‑centred goals.
• Experience of managing own caseload and prioritisation.
• Experience of working within an acute setting.
• Experience of mentoring students / assistants.
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working.
• Experience of training other professionals.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Name Laura Jones
Job title Head of Service - Speech and Language Therapy
Email address [e-mail]
Telephone number 03001314500