Rotational Speech and Language Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 5
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st 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.
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 have a fantastic opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist looking to begin or advance their career, working with adults with swallowing and communication difficulties. This role is a rotational post and provides an excellent grounding in a wide range of clinical areas:
- The acute general medical team – Bristol Royal Infirmary
- The voice/ENT Outpatient team – St Michael’s Hospital
- The Acute Stroke team – Southmead Hospital
Our service also has specialist SLT teams in critical care, oncology, and head and neck cancer. We provide videofluoroscopy and FEES services.
We will support the post holder in completing NQP and dysphagia competencies, as required. You will be joining our large team of over 30 speech and language therapists and assistants working across the City & Weston BFT sites. We are a friendly and inclusive team, focused on delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for our patients. We have a strong culture of support, development and leadership including:
- Support in accessing a wide range of training and CPD opportunities
- A rolling in-service training programme with brilliant teaching from team members and MDT colleagues
- Regular 1:1 line management and group peer supervision
- Commitment to our flexi-time policy to support your work-life balance
- A wealth of wellbeing support and strong team spirit
- To provide speech and language therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment for adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulties
- To work with the support and supervision of more senior colleagues
- To manage own time, caseload and prioritise tasks with support as required
- To participate in peer group supervision and regular 1:1 line management support
- To participate in SLT in-service training
This role would be ideal for a newly qualified therapist or a practising therapist looking to experience a range of clinical areas before committing to a specialist area. It would also suit those keen to transfer into adult work from paediatric or learning disability roles.
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, Qualifications, Experience
- Educated to degree (SLT) or equivalent
- HCPC registered/ RCSLT member
- Evidence of CPD in communication and swallowing problems
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Experience of working with adults with acquired communication/ swallowing disorders
- Knowledge and experience of a wide range of therapeutic models of working with communication disorders and dysphagia in adults
- Experience of working as a member of MDT
- Ability to review and reflect on own skills and knowledge and to lead own CPD in conjunction with supervisors and peers
- Demonstrates highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adult patients
- Ability to recognise own professional boundaries and accept support/ seek advice as appropriate
- Knowledge of clinical governance and audit
- Competent Information Technology Skills including use of MS office tools, Outlook, word, Excel
- Ability to work as part of an MDT
- Knowledge and experience of working with augmentative and assisted communication
- Experience of planning and implementing training to others
- Developing dysphagia skills: Independent working with patients with dysphagia in a range of settings
Personal Qualities
- 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
We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.
Additional Information
- 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 to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
- The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support – developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
- BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
- To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
- If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
- The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
- By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
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 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Emily Highfield Speech & Language Therapist Job title Clinical Lead Adult Speech and Language Therapy Email address (emailprotected) Telephone number 01173421564 Additional information
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions about the post or to arrange a visit.
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