Speech & Language Therapist, Senior Teiripeoir Urlabhra & Teanga, Sinsearach (Inscne) (Cód Grád 3379)

Speech & Language Therapist Senior

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title Grade Code

Speech & Language Therapist Senior Teiripeoir Urlabhra & Teanga Sinsearach (Inscne) (Cód Grád: 3379)

Campaign Reference

SCH/014/2026

Closing Date

Monday 23rd February 2026 17:00hrs

Proposed Interview Date (s)

Proposed interview date: 04/03/2026

Taking up Appointment

A start date of 23/03/2026 is planned and will be confirmed at job offer stage.

Location of Post

St Columcilles Hospital Bray Road Loughlinstown Co Dublin

Ospidéal Cholm Cille Bóthar Bhré Baile Uí Lachnáin Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath

There is currently one temporary 0.7WTE position available in St. Columcilles Hospital Loughlinstown. Flexible working opportunity.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Speech & Language Therapist; Senior in St. Columcilles Hospital Loughlinstown from which current and future permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled.

Informal Enquiries

Name: Deirdre Fitzgerald

Tel:

Email:

Details of Service

St. Columcilles is an acute and rehabilitation hospital located on the border of south-east Dublin and Wicklow. It is a model 2 hospital within Dublin and South East Regional Health Authority and works closely with St. Vincents University Hospital and St. Michaels Hospital.

SCH has 117 inpatient beds and provides a range of services to a diverse population covering South County Dublin and County Wicklow. St. Columcilles Hospital is aligned to the Sláintecare vision and is committed to providing a quality patient focused service in a way that meets all patient needs in an equitable efficient and safe manner. We acknowledge the contribution of each member of staff and aim to encourage and support them in their ongoing professional development.

Services include a 7/7 Local Injury Unit 7/7 Medical Assessment Unit 113 medical inpatient beds incorporating Stroke & Ortho Rehab Units Endoscopy a 5/7 Day Surgery Unit an Outpatient Department Radiology and various diagnostic services for local GPs. St. Columcilles Hospital acts as a hub and spoke model for integrated care. Located in St. Columcilles Hospital is the National Centre for all obesity management and the National Gender Service (NGS).

The Speech and Language Therapy Department in St. Columcilles Hospital provides for the management of patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders across Acute ward based care the Frailty Intervention Team in the Medical Assessment Unit Rehabilitation services (Stroke and Reablement) Day Hospital and Out-Patient Clinics including Dementia Care for which it is a recognised clinical leader.

It also serves the Voice and Communication needs of clients of the NGS

Reporting Relationship

The senior SLTs professional reporting relationship will be to the SLT Manager.

Purpose of the Post

The person appointed to this post will work in acute hospital care and rehabilitation providing a service to adults with acquired communication and swallowing disorders.

She/he will provide senior grade clinical decision making support and leadership to staff grades working in acute ward- based care.

She/ he will form part of the multi-disciplinary team delivering high quality ward based and Outpatient care

She/he will assist / run Videofluoroscopy and FEES Clinics.

She will lead and participate in clinical education and training of undergraduate and graduate SLTs

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

The Speech and Language Therapist Senior will:

Professional / Clinical

Be responsible for assessment diagnosis planning implementation and evaluation of treatment / intervention programmes for service users according to professional standards.

Be able to make senior clinical decisions following assessment of complex cases.

Communicate results of assessments and recommendations to the service user and the MDT/ relevant others as appropriate.

Document all assessments diagnoses treatment / intervention plans clinical notes relevant contacts and summaries in accordance with the HSE policies SLT Department and professional standards.

Collaborate with service user family carers and the MDT in goal setting and treatment / intervention planning and evaluation as appropriate.

Provide clinical leadership in the day-to-day running of the service by supporting and supervising staff prioritising and allocating work and promoting positive staff morale.

Be responsible for maintenance of standards of practice of self and designated staff.

Foster close working relationships with colleagues and other relevant professionals in maximising the service users potential.

Actively engage in team-based performance management.

Provide support and information in relation to communication and / or feeding eating drinking and swallowing disorders etc. to service users and relevant others

Attend clinics and participate in relevant meetings and case conferences as required.

In conjunction with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager contribute to the development and implementation of procedures policies and guidelines while adhering to existing standards and protocols.

Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality ethics and legislation

Seek advice and assistance from the Speech and Language Therapist Manager and / or Clinical Lead with any assigned cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his / her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.

Operate within the scope of Speech & Language Therapy practice as set out by the Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists.

Participate in and develop activities which support health promotion.

Carry out other duties as assigned by the Speech & Language Therapist Manager.

Education and Training

• Participate in mandatory and recommended training programmes in accordance with the SLT departmental or organisational guidelines.
• Participate in CPD and receive Clinical Supervision specific to the role.
• Maintain and develop SLT professional expertise and knowledge by actively engaging in continuing professional development e.g. reflective practice by attending and presenting at in-service events training courses conferences professional courses or other courses relevant to practice participating in research etc.
• Manage participate and play a key role in the practice education of student therapists and promote and engage in the teaching / training / support of others as appropriate.
• Avail of and participate in own supervision with Speech & Language Therapist Manager.
• Engage in planning and performance reviews as required with the Speech and Language Therapist Manager.

Health & Safety

Comply with the policies procedures and safe professional practice of the Irish Healthcare System by adhering to relevant legislation regulations and standards.

Document appropriately and report any near misses hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of relevant / designated individual(s) in line with best practice.

Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others.

Be aware of risk management issues identify risks and take appropriate action.

Promote a culture that values diversity and respect.

Administrative

• Organise and deliver the SLT service to the assigned acute care area/ Rehabilitation or OPD clinic.
• Promote quality by reviewing and evaluating the Speech & Language Therapy service identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services.
• Assist the Speech and Language Therapist Manager in service development including policy development and implementation.
• Ensure the maintenance of accurate records in line with best clinical governance the organisations requirements the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection (GDPR).
• Provide reports and other information / statistics as required.
• Engage in service audit and demonstrate the achievement of the service objectives.
• Represent the department / profession / team at meetings and conferences as appropriate.
• Deputise for the Speech and Language Therapist Manager as required.
• Participate in the control and ordering of clinical equipment.
• Engage in technological developments as they apply to the service user and service administration.
• Keep up to date with change and developments within the Irish Health Service.

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

1. Statutory Registration Professional Qualifications Experience etc

(a) Candidates for appointment must:

(i) Be registered or be eligible for registration as a Speech & Language Therapist by

the Speech & Language Therapists Registration Board at CORU.

( Have 3 years full time (or an aggregate of 3 years full time) post qualification

clinical experience.

And

(iii) 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.

And

(iv) Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Speech & Language Therapist

Register maintained by the Speech & Language Therapists Registration Board at

CORU before a contract of employment can be issued.

2. Annual registration

(i) On appointment practitioners must maintain annual registration on the Speech &

Language Therapists Register maintained by the Speech & Language Therapists

Registration Board at CORU.

And

(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of

the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Health

Candidates 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 such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4.Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements

• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of working with patients with acquired communication and swallowing disorders in acute care / rehabilitation.
• Be familiar with Videofluoroscopy and FEES and be open to upskilling in this area.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of working with Frailty and Older Person care
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Assisted Decision Making Capacity Act

Other requirements specific to the post

• Must have recognised dysphagia qualification as outlined in Standards of Practice for Speech & Language Therapists on the Management of Feeding Eating Drinking and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT) 2015.

Skills competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must:

Demonstrate sufficient command of the English language to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

Demonstrate sufficient clinical knowledge and evidence based practice to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the senior role.

Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to evidence based practice.

Demonstrate the ability to plan and deliver care in an effective and resourceful manner.

Demonstrate an ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment.

Demonstrate the ability to effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions.

Demonstrate a commitment to assuring high standards and strive for a user centred service.

Demonstrate effective team skills.

Display effective communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate with colleagues families carers etc.

Display awareness and appreciation of the service user and the ability to empathise with and treat service users / others with dignity and respect

Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change.

Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively.

Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.

Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development.

Campaign Specific Selection Process

Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in bands depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment. These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice. The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the Job Specification may be reviewed.

This Job Specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Speech & Language Therapist Senior

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

The current vacancy available is temporary and 0.7 WTE (part time).

The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at expression of interest stage.

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post as of August 2025 : 63192; 65275; 66681;

; 70933; 72478; 74018;75254 Pro-rata

New 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.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.

HSE Circular 003-2009 Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016 applies. Under the terms of this circular all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at Contracting stage.

Superannuation

This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Probation

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

Protection of Children

Guidance and

Legislation

The welfare and protection of children is the responsibility of all HSE staff. You must be aware of and understand your specific responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015 the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 in accordance with Section 2 Children First National Guidance and other relevant child safeguarding legislation and policies.

All Mandated Persons under the Children First Act 2015 within the HSE are appointed as Designated Officers under the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998.

Mandated Persons such as line managers doctors nurses physiotherapists occupational therapists speech and language therapists social workers social care workers and emergency technicians have additional responsibilities.

You should check if you are a Mandated Person and be familiar with the related roles and legal responsibilities.

Diversity Equality and

Inclusion

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Employees of the HSE bring a range of skills talents diverse thinking and experience to the organisation. The HSE believes passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to its success we aim to develop the workforce of the HSE so that it reflects the diversity of HSE service users and to strengthen it through accommodating and valuing different perspectives. Ultimately this will result in improved service user and employee experience.

The HSE is committed to creating a positive working environment whereby all employees inclusive of age civil status disability ethnicity and race family status gender membership of the Traveller community religion and sexual orientation are respected valued and can reach their full potential. The HSE aims to achieve this through development of an organisational culture where injustice bias and discrimination are not tolerated.

Infection Control

Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example Standards for Healthcare National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

Health & Safety

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

Developing a SSSS for the department/service1 as applicable based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned organised performed maintained and revised as appropriate and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures2.

Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through respectively local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note: Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.

1 A template SSSS and guidelines are available on the National Health and Safety Function here: See link on health and safety web-pages to latest Incident Management Policy

Required Experience:

Senior IC