Job summary
- Main area
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 30 hours per week
- Job ref
- 382-CS01-26
- Employer
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Blackpool Victoria Hospital
- Town
- Blackpool
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 25/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Highly Specialist Speech Therapist- Nutrition Support Team
NHS AfC: Band 7
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people.
We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.
We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as: part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.
Job overview
Are you an experienced Speech and Language Therapist ready to lead, inspire, and make a real difference?
We are recruiting a Band 7 Highly Specialist SLT to join our Nutrition Support Team (NST) at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a specialist caseload, influence clinical standards across the Trust, and work alongside a motivated and supportive team of adult SLTs.
You will lead SLT input for patients with complex feeding and swallowing needs across acute and community settings, offering expert assessments, second opinions, and contributing to multidisciplinary care planning. This role is pivotal in preventing patient harm, improving nutritional outcomes, and shaping the future of SLT practice within the Trust.
Main duties of the job
As the Clinical Lead for the Nutrition Support Team (NST), you will oversee the delivery of specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services for adults with complex dysphagia and feeding needs across acute and community settings. You will manage your own caseload, provide second opinions, and work jointly with SLT colleagues to ensure high-quality care. The role includes conducting advanced assessments such as videofluoroscopy and/or FEES (trained candidates preferred), facilitating mental capacity assessments, and supporting patients in shared decision-making.
You will offer leadership, mentorship, and training to the wider SLT and multidisciplinary teams, helping to build clinical capability and confidence across the Trust. Working closely with the Clinical & Operational Lead, you will help shape the development of this role and contribute to the strategic growth of SLT services across the organisation. As a key contributor to service development, you will lead audits, implement evidence-based practice, and drive quality improvement initiatives. You will represent SLT in Best Interest Meetings, ward rounds, outpatient clinics, and governance forums, ensuring compliance with NICE guidelines and contributing to clinical governance and risk management.
This is a unique opportunity to influence care pathways, elevate professional standards, and work within a motivated and collaborative team of adult SLTs.
Working for our organisation
At Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we are proud to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to the communities we serve. Our Adult SLT service is known for its collaborative spirit, clinical excellence, and commitment to innovation.
As part of our team, you will benefit from:
- A supportive leadership structure and dedicated Clinical & Operational Lead.
- Opportunities to shape professional standards and influence service delivery across the Trust.
- Access to CPD, clinical supervision, and leadership development.
- A culture that values diversity, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
- A motivated core team of adult SLTs who are passionate about patient-centred care.
We are committed to safeguarding, equality, and creating a workplace where everyone feels respected and empowered.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This Band 7 role is a pivotal clinical leadership position within the Nutrition Support Team (NST) at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. You will lead the delivery of specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services for adults with complex dysphagia and feeding needs across acute and community settings. As the clinical lead for this pathway, you will manage your own caseload, provide second opinions, and work collaboratively with SLT colleagues to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centred care.
You will conduct advanced swallowing assessments, including videofluoroscopy and/or FEES (training preferred), and facilitate mental capacity assessments to support patients in shared decision-making. You will represent SLT at Best Interest Meetings, ward rounds, outpatient clinics, and governance forums, contributing to multidisciplinary care planning and clinical governance.
A key aspect of the role is to provide leadership, mentorship, and training to the wider SLT team and multidisciplinary colleagues, helping to build clinical capability and confidence across the Trust. You will work closely with the Clinical & Operational Lead to shape the development of this role and contribute to the strategic growth of SLT services across the organisation.
You will also lead service development initiatives, including audits, implementation of evidence-based practice, and quality improvement projects. Ensuring compliance with NICE guidelines and contributing to risk management processes will be essential in maintaining high standards of care and patient safety.
This is a unique opportunity to influence care pathways, elevate professional standards, and work within a motivated and collaborative team of adult SLTs committed to delivering excellence in patient care.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Recognised SLT Degree (BSc/MSc or equivalent)
- HCPC Registration
- RCSLT Membership
- Postgraduate training in dysphagia
Desirable criteria
- Completion of a relevant SLT Clinical Educator course
- Completion of a relevant Leadership course
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in complex dysphagia management
- Experience developing and delivering specialist training
- Knowledge/ Experience of therapeutic interventions and diagnostic approaches
- Evidence of experience providing second opinions and clinical advice
Desirable criteria
- Experience working collaboratively within MDTs and acting as a specialist SLT resource
- Evidence of clinical governance, audit cycles, and service development
Advanced competencies
Desirable criteria
- Postgraduate training in videofluoroscopy (VFSS) and/or FEES
- Experience conducting and interpreting VFSS and/or FEES
Other
Essential criteria
- Digital competency: confident in using electronic patient record systems and communication tools
- UK driving licence and access to a car for work purposes
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Katherine Kuchmak
- Job title
- Clinical and Operational Lead SLT
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01253 953873
- Additional information
We welcome informal enquiries and expressions of interest from experienced SLTs who are passionate about dysphagia care, MDT working, clinical leadership, and service development.
For further information or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact:
Katherine Kuchmak
Clinical & Operational Lead – Adult Speech and Language Therapy
[email protected], 01253 953873Whether you're ready to apply or simply exploring your next career move, we’d love to hear from you.
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
BTH
- Telephone
- 03033 301 033
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