Job Title: Basic Grade Speech & Language Therapist PanelReference No: 08.020 (2025) Department / Directorate: Speech & Language Therapy Department COO DirectorateReports to: Manager of Speech & Language Therapy or DeputyTallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4 voluntary academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in south west Dublin. With a staff of over 4000 people from 63 differentcountries it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800000 people and is a provider of local regional and national specialties. It is also a National Urology Centre the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country Pelvic and Acetabulum National Centre and a designated Trauma Unit.
The Hospital is part of the newly established HSE Dublin & Midlands Region which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties and operates under the governance of an independent Board of Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis. TUH is also supported by the Adelaide Health Foundation the Meath Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation.
TUH recognises the role it plays in our community both as an employer and provider of healthcare and is committed to building a sustainable future for our region both now and into the future with a focus on patient outcomes.
The Hospital is ambitious recognising that healthcare delivery is undergoing seismic change and will be different now and into the future largely due to digital and technological advances along with research continuing to discover and test new treatment options. TUH wants to be a leader in determining that future. It is aHospital without Wallsalways looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Slintecare vision of providing the right care in the right place at the right time whilst empowering our patients and staff.TUH Vision and Values
The vision of the Hospital is People Caring for People to Live Better Livesthrough excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.
OurTUH CAREvalues for patients their families our community and staff are:- Collaborate together and with our academic and care partners
- Achieve our goals positive outcomes and wellbeing
- Respect for patients each other and our environment
- Equity for patients and staff
At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and everymember of the Team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high qualitycare.
A full overview of TUH is available on usPurpose of the role:The Basic Grade Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) will assess diagnose and treat difficulties in communication and swallowing which are presenting in patients referred to the Speech and Language Therapy department at TUH. Overview of role:The SLT will work as part of a large and dynamic SLT team which includes Clinical Specialists Seniors and Basic Grade SLTs as well as Therapy Assistants. The Basic Grade SLT will participate in the Departments rotation programme which provides an opportunity to gain vast experience working in a range of specialties including among others older persons care stroke neurology acute and emergency medicine respiratory oncology gastroenterology general medicine.The SLT will engage in professional supervision within the department and be well supported with regard to development of competence and continued professional development appropriate to the role. The role also offers exciting opportunities to engage in quality and service improvement initiatives with colleagues.Key Duties and ResponsibilitiesProfessional and Clinical - Undertake appropriate assessment diagnosis treatment and discharge planning as required for all patients referred.
- Manage a designated caseload according to departmental prioritisation guidelines.
- Support team colleagues with cross cover to other caseloads as required.
- Demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures.
- Liaise with patients carers and other health professionals to ensure a holistic approach to patient care.
- Ensure that privacy and dignity and safety of the patient is respected at all times.
- Maintain timely and accurate records to comply with legal requirements to support clinical studies and to provide information for data collection.
- Foster and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues and other healthcare personnel.
- Represent the department as part of multidisciplinary teams attend and participate in team meetings clinics journal clubs as relevant and as part of hospital working groups.
- Ensure safe working environment for patients and staff and report immediately any incident either staff or patient.
- Be ICT competent having experience in the use of MS Word Excel and PowerPoint along with other desktop software.
- Manage time effectively to balance clinical and non-clinical duties and responsibilities.
- Assume delegated tasks as requested.
- Deputise for Senior when necessary.
- Work within departmental and national guidelines and professional code of conduct being accountable for own professional action and recognising own professional boundaries.
- Adhere to the Ethics for speech and language therapists from CORU and the IASLT.
- Closely liaise with the Manager regarding clinical and professional duties and undertake any other duties that may be assigned by the Manager or deputy.
Education and Development- Self & Others- Keep informed of current changes in clinical and professional practice by engaging in informal and formal continuing professional development activities.
- Participate in the departments professional supervision programme.
- Play an active role in the departmental in-service training as well as teaching programmes for other professionals.
- Assist in the practice education of speech and language therapy students and in supervision of therapy assistants or other as appropriate to their level of experience and/or training.
- Read and act upon all issued Hospital and departmental policies and procedures and engage in mandatory training programmes within the department and Hospital.
Service Evaluation Development and Audit- Contribute to the development implementation and evaluation of standards and policies for speech and language therapy services.
- Participate in clinical audit activities to monitor clinical standards and support service development and/or research projects as appropriate.
- Contribute to continuing quality improvement initiatives undertaken by the department.
- Assist Senior colleagues and/or the SLT Manager as required in the planning and development of speech and language therapy services.
Qualifications & Experience requiredNote: All requirements as set out below must be clearly demonstrated on the CV.Esstential Criteria- Be registered as a Speech and Language Therapist by the Speech and Language Therapy Board at CORU.
Note: Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC). They must also provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Speech and Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech and Language Therapy Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued.And- Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
- Demonstrate recent satisfactory working experience with adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders within an adult setting.
- Qualification and working competence in adult eating drinking and swallowing disorders.
DESIRABLE criteria- Working experience in an adult acute hospital setting.
- Member of IASLT
Reward & Recognition- Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales grade code 336Y.
- A panel will be formed for future full-time and part-time permanent positions.
- The annual leave entitlement is 27 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.
- Normal working hours are 35 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.
Application processApplications can be submitted on-line at by completing the application form and attaching your CV. Candidates should be aware that when applying for a post through the On-Line Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason not receive this automated acknowledgement you should notify the Human Resources Department before the closing date otherwise your application will not be considered.All candidates should note that in order to maintain a timely process the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.Informal Enquiries to:
Fiona Hill Speech and Language Therapist Manager- in-Charge III
Department of Speech and Language Therapy Tallaght University Hospital
Telephone (01)/2776 or email
Closing Date: Before close of business on: Thursday September 4th
Provisional interview date: Week of September 15th
TUH Core Competencies:Core Area | Competency | Level |
Managing the service | Quality & Safety of Service | 2 |
Managing the service | Delivery of Results | 2 |
Managing Change | Problem Solving & Decision Making | 2 |
Managing Change | Communications & Influencing | 2 |
Managing Yourself | Team player | 2 |
Managing Yourself | Planning and Organising | 2 |
Managing People | People Management | 1 |
Managing People | Leadership | 1 |
Please go to for details of the core competenciesSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATIONAge Restrictions In Relation To ApplicationsAge restriction shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant(within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004).A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first dayof the month in which the latest date for receiving completed applications for the office occurs.HealthA candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.Garda VettingGarda vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of Tallaght University Hospital. Given the specialised nature of the services provided your appointment will be subject to satisfactory Garda vetting and re-vetting in circumstances where the Hospital deems it appropriate. The Hospital will then process the necessary documentation to endeavour to obtain the satisfactory Garda clearance for you. You are obliged to disclose previous and any criminal convictions acquitted during the course of your employment. Should the Hospital obtain information from the Garda vetting unit to indicate that your Garda clearance report is not satisfactory and / or if you have supplied the Hospital with false or misleading information in relation to your Garda clearance status the Hospital reserves the right to withdraw or terminate the contract in accordance with Tallaght University Hospital Garda vetting policy.Point on Salary ScaleNew appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service local authorities health service and other public service bodies and statutory agencies.ProbationThe probationary period may be extended at the Hospitals discretion but will not in any case exceed 9 months. Confirmation of your appointment as a permanent member of staff is subject to the successful completion of the probation period. Termination of this agreement within the probationary period shall be at the discretion of the Hospital in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973 - 2001.Termination of EmploymentThe employment may be terminated at any time by one months notice on either side except where circumstances are dictated by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973/91. The Managements right under this paragraph shall not be exercised save in circumstances where the Management is of the opinion that the holder of the office has failed to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post or has misconducted himself/herself in relation to the post or is otherwise unfit to hold the appointment.Sick Leave- There is provision for sick pay at the Hospitals discretion subject to the regulations and details found in the Staff Handbook/ Personnel Policy Manual as per the Hospitals sick leave policy.
- In the event of absence from work you are required to contact your Manager/Supervisor within one hour of starting time on the first day of absence while a Medical Certificate is required for any illness lasting in excess of two days. Failure to comply with the sick leave policy may result in a loss of pay for the period of absence and may also incur disciplinary action.
Information Technology & data- Make the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
- Collect interpret and present data and information on the Departments activities staffing and expenditure as required.
Pension Arrangements and Retirement ageThere are three superannuation schemes currently in operation for staff in Tallaght University Hospital:(a) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) (b) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant)(c) Single Public Service Pension SchemePlease read carefully the summary of the criteria for the three superannuation schemes below. This will assist you in identifying which scheme membership is applicable to your employment circumstances.(a) If you have been continually employed in the public service prior to the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 60 and a Maximum Retirement Age of 65.(b) If you have been continually employed in the public service post the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 65. There is no Maximum Retirement Age.(c) If you have commenced employment in the public service as a new entrant or you are a former public servant returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks you will be included in the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from the 1st January 2013 with a minimum retirement age of 66 (rising to 67 and 68 in line with state pension changes). The maximum retirement age under this scheme will be age 70.Health & Safety - All employees must comply with the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
- Comply with relevant Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in Hospital Polices Protocols and Procedures relevant to your area.
- Take reasonable care to protect your own safety health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
Hygiene / Infection prevention and control - All employees have responsibility for Hygiene awareness. Hygiene is defined as The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection.
- All employees also have a responsibility under their terms of employment to prevent transmission of infection and to follow the hospital infection control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.
- All employees must be aware that they work in an area where there is potential for transmission of infection.
- All employees have a responsibility to follow hand hygiene guidelines as this is the single most important intervention to prevent the transmission of infection.
Quality safety and risk management- Support the delivery of the Quality Safety and Risk Management Programme including the appropriate identification and management of risks and incidents throughout the hospital.
Data Management- Ensure compliance with the obligations required by the Data Protection Act 2018.
ConfidentialityYou will be aware of the confidential nature of Hospital work and in particular the right of patients to confidentiality. To this end you will not discuss workings of the Hospital or its patients or disclose any information of a confidential nature except as required to do so in the course of your work. No records documents or property of the Hospital may be removed from the premises of the Hospital without prior authorisation. You must return to the Hospital upon request and in any event upon the termination of your employment all documents or other property of the Hospital which are in your possession or under your control.Mandated and Designated Persons under Children First Act 2015Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015 specifies the classes of persons defined as Mandated Persons for the purposes of the Act. This includes a range of disciplines that are employed by the hospital including all medical practitioners registered nurses physiotherapists psychologists social workers and others. This includes staff working in adult services. All mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015. Mandated persons under the legislation are required to report any knowledge belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault ill-treatment neglect or sexual abuse and covers single and multiple instances. Mandated persons are also required to assist Tusla if requested in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report. Designated Officer are required to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect from any person who is of the opinion that (a) a child has been or is being assaulted ill-treated neglected or sexually abused or (b) a childs health development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected. Full detailed list of mandated and designated staff together with details of their roles and responsibilities can be found on It is the responsibility of all staff employed by TUH to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the legislation and to complete mandatory Children First Training.