Senior Speech & Language Therapist in Neurology

Senior Speech & Language Therapist in Neurology (04.003 (2026

Job Title: Senior Speech & Language Therapist in Neurology
Reference No: 04.003 (2026)
Department / Directorate: Speech & Language Therapy Department, COO Directorate
Reports to: Manager of Speech & Language Therapy or Deputy

Purpose of the Role

The Neurology Speech & Language Therapy service provides high quality assessment, diagnosis and intervention for patients with a range of progressive and acute neurological conditions. The Senior Speech & Language Therapist will lead the provision of care for communication and swallowing difficulties, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, support service development, and supervise junior staff.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Registered Speech and Language Therapist with CORU
• Minimum of 3 years post qualification full time clinical experience (2.5 years eligible for panel formation)
• Proven experience caring for adults with progressive and acute neurological conditions
• Full and independent competence in managing adult eating, drinking and swallowing disorders
• Post graduate competence in adult videofluoroscopy and/or FEES interpretation and reporting
• Recent evidence of continuing professional development relevant to neurology
• Service development or quality improvement experience
• Experience supervising Speech and Language Therapists, students and/or therapy assistants
• Clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to fulfill the role duties
• High professional suitability and ability for proper discharge of duties

Desirable:

• Experience in an acute hospital setting

Reward & Recognition

• Remuneration according to the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 3379
• Full time permanent position (panel may be formed for future posts)
• Annual leave: 29 working days per year (pro rated), with leave year from 1 April to 31 March
• Weekly hours: 35, with flexibility within 8 am-8 pm across 7 days to meet service requirements

Key Duties and Responsibilities - Clinical and Professional

• Provide timely assessment, diagnosis and management for patients with communication and swallowing disorders
• Maintain high standards of quality clinical practice for self and junior staff
• Demonstrate clinical effectiveness using evidence based practice and outcome measures
• Act as a key member of the MDT, advocating for Speech & Language Therapy and engaging with primary care and GP colleagues
• Supervise colleagues, prioritise and allocate work, promote staff morale and teamwork
• Manage clinical risk within the service and any designated team
• Maintain professional relationships with colleagues, managers and other healthcare personnel
• Maintain accurate records to comply with local and professional standards and legal requirements
• Advise on operational issues, service delivery and resources, contributing to business cases as appropriate
• Participate in working groups, committees and represent the service at meetings
• Apply hospital protocols, policies, procedures and guidelines
• Assist in recruitment, induction, probation, supervision and performance management of new staff
• Possess ICT competence in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and related software
• Adhere to the ethics and professional code of conduct for Speech & Language Therapists
• Deputise for the Manager when required
• Maintain clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to carry out the role
• Work closely with the Manager regarding duties and any additional tasks assigned

Key Duties and Responsibilities - Education and Development

• Engage in continuing professional development activities
• Participate in the department's supervision and performance achievement programme
• Attend internal training and mandatory programmes
• Teach and train other healthcare professionals through in service training
• Supervise, teach and support junior staff, colleagues, students and assistants
• Implement induction and clinical supervision for newly qualified therapists
• Assist the Speech & Language Therapy Manager with staff development and appraisals
• Contribute to the training of speech and language therapy students and qualified therapists
• Organise and facilitate local, national and international training programmes and courses for Speech & Language Therapists and other professionals

Key Duties and Responsibilities - Innovation, Quality & Service Improvement

• Organise and provide the Speech & Language Therapy service in the designated area
• Collaborate with the Manager, Clinical Specialist SLT and multidisciplinary colleagues
• Collect, collate and analyse workload statistics; review with Manager and Clinical Specialist SLT
• Undertake service and quality improvement and clinical audit activities
• Participate in relevant research where post allows
• Report on and disseminate audit, quality improvement and research outcomes
• Adapt practices and roles based on new learning and developments
• Familiarise with quality improvement and research resources within the hospital
• Facilitate undergraduate research projects where post allows

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage (as per standard HSE schemes)
• Supporting work life balance through flexible shift patterns
• Professional indemnity covering statutory and regulatory requirements
• Opportunities for career progression within the HSE and TUH system

Employment Conditions

• Full time permanent position on the Irish Public Service pay scale, grade 3379
• Probation period up to 9 months, subject to successful completion
• Standard contractual notice periods apply to termination or resignation

Key Legal and Compliance Requirements

• Compliance with Garda vetting procedures as required for all HSE employees
• Adherence to the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018 regarding patient confidentiality and data management
• Compliance with Health and Safety at Work Act 2005 and hospital infection control policies
• Bearer of the mandatory Children First Act responsibilities for staff in patient care roles