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Job summary

Main area
Speech and language therapy
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
387-D&T3570-NG
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Town
Bristol
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 per annum (dependent on experience)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/11/2026 23:59
Interview date
17/11/2026

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Respiratory & Critical Care

Band 6

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.


 

Job overview

We are pleased to offer a fantastic opportunity within the Adult Speech & Language Therapy Department at University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust on a permanent, full time basis.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to join our Respiratory and Critical Care pathways. This role involves delivering specialist communication and dysphagia services to in patients across high-care Respiratory and Cardiology wards, the General Intensive Care Unit, and the Regional Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. 

You will work with skilled Band 6 colleagues, Clinical Speciality Team Leads, and a dedicated SLT Assistant, while closely collaborating with the wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT). Your responsibilities will include managing tracheostomised and ventilator-dependent patients and contributing to regular MDT teaching sessions.

Main duties of the job

We are a dynamic team providing an excellent service to our patients and staff. You will be working within a team who enjoy a supportive and friendly working environment, where we encourage participation and learning from one another at all times and focus our efforts towards a patient centred service. You will work as part of the wider SLT Adult service which has Specialist SLTs within Stroke, Older People and Progressive Neurological disorders, Head & Neck, Oncology and Voice. The department has regular in–service training, peer and line management supervision and weekly Videofluoroscopy and in-patient FEES services.

You can find out more about S&L and the Adult Therapy team here:Therapies - UHBW Careers

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.  

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.  

 Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Education and qualifications/Experience

Essential criteria
  • Educated to degree or equivalent
  • HCPC registered/ RCSLT member
  • Recent experience of working with adults withing respiratory and/or critical care
  • Experience of working as core member of MDT
  • Recent experience of working in Adult acute inpatient settings
  • Experience of planning & implementing training to others & / or giving presentations
Desirable criteria
  • Experiencing supervising junior staff & students

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Recent evidence of CPD in communication and swallowing problems in respiratory and critical care settings
  • Specialised knowledge & experience of a wide range of therapeutic models of working with communication disorders & dysphagia within Respiratory and Critical pathways
  • Demonstrates highly developed auditory & perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis & treatment of adult patients
  • Knowledge of clinical governance & audit
  • Competent Information Technology Skills, including use of MS office tools, Outlook, Word, Excel
Desirable criteria
  • Current knowledge & experience of managing tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients
  • Experience using & interpreting videofluoroscopy / FEES & implementing findings into practice
  • Advanced dysphagia skills: Independent working with patients with complex dysphagia in a range of acute settings/ with multiple aetiologies including management of patients with Tracheostomies

Personal qualities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with a wide range of people
  • Ability to manage own time appropriately and to prioritise tasks
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
  • Ability to review & reflect on own skills & knowledge, and to lead own CPD in conjunction with supervisors & peers
  • Ability to recognise own professional boundaries & accept support/ seek advice as appropriate
  • Ability to work independently
  • Ability to challenge & influence members of MDT

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

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 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Emily Highfield Speech & Language Therapist
Job title
Clinical Lead Adult Speech and Language Therapy
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01173421564
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