Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Adults

About the Organisation

NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you’re new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.

Our modern healthcare facility, The Balfour, brings together inpatient care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We’re also investing in services across our outer isles, ensuring high‑quality care reaches every corner of Orkney.

We are guided by our core values that shape everything we do:
Open and honest, Respect and Kindness from how we care for our patients to how we support each other as colleagues.

With over 70 islands, 20 of them inhabited, Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close‑knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it’s a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney offers a lifestyle that’s both fulfilling and inspiring.

This post is the Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for the adult population in Orkney. The post holder is responsible for leading, developing, and delivering a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapy service. There are established links with Grampian SLT and other services for management of specific conditions and clinical pathways.

The post holder is required to work across a number of different settings including The Balfour, care homes, patient homes, and other community settings. Developing and delivering training is expected in both acute and community settings.

The Speech and Language Therapy Team in Orkney has 5.35 WTE SLT staff for adults and children. The post holder works collaboratively with the Lead Children and Young People’s Speech and Language Therapist, to lead and manage the Speech and Language Therapy department. You will be supported in your role by the Lead AHP for Adults.

• Flexible and hybrid working patterns, including a blend of on‑site and remote working where appropriate
• Part‑time hours or job share arrangements
• Secondment opportunities
• Phased relocation to Orkney where appropriate

The ideal candidate will have highly specialist knowledge of complex dysphagia and communication difficulties across a variety of conditions including stroke, progressive neurological conditions, dementia, voice and learning disabilities.

The successful candidate will have a degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy/Pathology, master’s level post‑registration training and/or qualifications in dysphagia management and a minimum of three years’ experience working at a senior level.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to work autonomously and flexibly are essential for this post, as is the need for the post holder to hold a full driving licence. The post requires frequent travel within mainland Orkney as well as travel to the smaller isles.

Experience of working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication is also desirable.

We would welcome applications from candidates who bring strong core skills and experience, and are motivated to further develop within a highly specialist role.

This post will be based at The Balfour
. The successful candidate will work full time (36 hours per week). This post is permanent; secondment may be considered.

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.

The salary for this post is Band 7, and if residing on Orkney, you’ll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,719 pro rata per annum, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.

NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, wide range of work‑life balance policies, employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.

If you share our vision and are ready to be part of Team…