Job Title: Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in Neurology
Reference No: 06.033 (2026)
Department / Directorate: Speech & Language Therapy Department, COO Directorate
Reports to: Speech & Language Therapy Manager-in-Charge III or Deputy
Tallaght 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 4,000 people from 63 different countries, it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800,000 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 a
“Hospital without Walls” always looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Sláintecare 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 Lives” through 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.
Our
TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:
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Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
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Achieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
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Respect – for patients, each other and our environment
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Equity – for patients and staff
At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member 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 https://www.tuh.ie/about-us/
Purpose of the role:
The Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) will possess and develop highly specialist knowledge in the area of neurology. They will provide expert assessment, diagnosis and management of adults with communication and swallowing disorders under the care of the inpatient and outpatient Neurology service in TUH. Collaboration with SLT colleagues, and multidisciplinary colleagues of the neurology team, will support the coordination, development and delivery of the service to meet the needs of the service user group and the objectives of the Hospital.
The role leads evidence-based practice, supports multidisciplinary decision-making, promotes patient safety, facilitates rehabilitation, and contributes to service development, education, innovation, quality improvement, research and clinical governance.
Overview of role:
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical/Professional Responsibilities-
Provide a specialist clinical Speech & Language Therapy service to patients of TUH under the care of the Neurology speciality.
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Develop and implement highly specialised programmes of care and management to appropriately meet the SLT needs and priorities of patients and carers of the designated service.
- Demonstrate leadership and direction to ensure efficient management of the designated service and to enable this service to respond positively to any changes affecting TUH.
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Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary colleagues as appropriate in the delivery of patient care and service development.
- Evaluate services to demonstrate appropriateness and effectiveness; and report on these periodically.
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Participate in service planning and service development relevant to this area and specialist grade.
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Lead the development of innovations in and adhere to best practice in quality standards and clinical effectiveness in Speech & Language Therapy.
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Promote changes in work practices, procedures, techniques or technology having regard to the development of best practice and advancing practice in Speech & Language Therapy
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Maintain timely and accurate records in line with best clinical governance, organisational and legal requirements.
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Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the hospital’s service plan and departments’ targets and develop action plans to address identified KPI targets.
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Develop service protocols and standards of care; disseminate and implement these.
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Manage clinical risk within own services and that of any designated team at all times.
- Promote team and collaborative working by participating in teams, communicating, providing leadership, and keeping the rights and needs of the patient central to such participation.
- Liaise with community and external services, statutory and voluntary agencies as appropriate, and further develop and consolidate collaborative working practices to ensure an integrated pattern of service delivery.
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Organise the allocation of work among any staff within the designated clinical area to ensure a high standard of service to patients and good staff morale.
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Act as a clinical resource to Speech & Language Therapists and other health care professionals at a local and national level.
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Lead, supervise and mentor assigned Speech & Language Therapists.
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Foster and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues, front line Managers, and other healthcare personnel
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Operate within the scope of Speech & Language Therapy practice as per CORU requirements and in accordance with local guidelines.
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Work within departmental and national guidelines, ethics and professional code of conduct, being accountable for own professional action and recognising own professional boundaries.
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Be responsible for the daily management, supervision and co-ordination of any designated team.
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Participate in the recruitment of new staff, the induction and probation processes, supervision and performance management.
- Deputise for the SLT Manager in their absence, as requested, undertaking specified duties.
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Be ICT competent having experience in the use of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint along with other desktop software
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Have the clinical, managerial and administrative capacity to properly carry out the functions of the role
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Closely liaise with the SLT Manager regarding clinical and professional duties and undertake any other duties that may be assigned by the manager.
Education and Development- Self and Others-
Identify own personal and professional development needs to maintain and extend specialist knowledge and skills appropriate to the role in collaboration with the SLT Manager.
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Actively participate in and promote continuing education and development activities consistent with the position.
- Participate in the departments professional supervision programme and performance achievement process.
- Play an active role in departmental training and teaching and for other healthcare professionals.
- Participate in relevant internal training and mandatory training programmes
- Provide clinical leadership, direction, relevant development opportunities, professional supervision and mentoring to SLT colleagues and students.
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Act as role model for SLT staff and staff of other professions, in the areas of clinical competence, attitude and enthusiasm of SLT, being readily available for staff as a resource for any situation arising within the designated clinical areas.
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Act as a clinical advisor and expert to colleagues, students, other health professionals, professional body, groups and organisations at a local and national level.
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Network with other clinical specialists, the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists, education providers and other professional bodies to exchange and enhance professional knowledge base, developing the advisory role.
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Develop, facilitate, and evaluate existing and new TUH SLT department education and training programmes for SLTs and other professionals as relevant.
Innovation, Quality & Service Improvement, Audit and Research-
Be proactive in planning and developing services effectively for patients to meet current and future needs of TUH, in consultation and agreement with the SLT Manager.
- Promote quality by reviewing and evaluating the service regularly and identifying ways to enhance standards of quality and efficiency and address service gaps.
- Develop, implement and evaluate service/business plans, quality improvements, audits etc. appropriate to specialist area, and report on outcomes to improve service delivery/patient care
- Collect, collate and analyse workload data and KPIs required for departmental and service purposes and review with the SLT Manager.
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To explore all avenues to provide additional resources, to be creative and implement new ideas in practice.
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Ensure that practice is research-based and encourage the use of research in further development of clinical practice; incorporating national and international evidence based SLT practice.
- Be involved in innovation and research within the SLT department and multidisciplinary practice where feasible and aligned with service demands and workload priorities; to disseminate information and outcomes through presentations and publications as appropriate.
Qualifications & Experience required
Note: All requirements as set out below must be clearly demonstrated on the CV.
Must have:-
A candidate must be registered as a Speech and Language Therapist with CORU, the professional body for regulating Health & Social Care Professionals in Ireland
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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.
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- Demonstrate minimum of five years recent full time (or equivalent) satisfactory post qualification experience
- to include a minimum of three years full time (or equivalent) satisfactory experience in progressive and acute adult neurology
- to include working in an adult acute or rehabilitation hospital setting
And-
Demonstrate a proven record of clinical excellence in the specialism.
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- Post-graduate certification and full competence in the management of adult eating, drinking and swallowing disorders.
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Full post graduate competence and proven experience in adult videofluoroscopy and/or as a FEES endoscopist.
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- Demonstrate recent evidence of formal continuing professional development relevant to adult neurology in the form of post-graduate qualifications or relevant courses.
And
- Demonstrate achievement in innovation and practice development, quality improvement initiatives, clinical audit, teaching and/or research in the area of neurology.
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- Experience in the supervision of speech and language therapists.
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- Have the clinical, managerial and administrate capacity to fulfil the functions of the role.
Desirable-
A postgraduate qualification to master’s degree level in the speciality area and/or applicable to SLT in the speciality area.
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Demonstrates significant achievement and clinical excellence in standard setting, practice development, clinical audit and research relevant to this specialty.
Reward & Recognition-
Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 3025.
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The appointment is fulltime, permanent and pensionable. A panel may be formed from which future permanent or temporary positions will be filled.
- The annual leave entitlement is 29 working days per year (pro rata). The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.
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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 process
Applications can be submitted ‘on-line’ at
www.tuh.ie/careers 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, Dublin 24.
Telephone (01) 4142780 or email [email protected]
Closing Date: Before close of business on: Thursday 2nd July
TUH Core Competencies:
Core Area
Competency
Level
Managing the service
Quality & Safety of Service
4
Managing the service
Delivery of Results
4
Managing Change
Problem Solving & Decision Making
4
Managing Change
Communications & Influencing
4
Managing Yourself
Team player
4
Managing Yourself
Planning and Organising
4
Managing People
People Management
4
Managing People
Leadership
4
Age 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 day
of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed applications for the office occurs.
Health
A 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 Vetting
Garda vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of TUH. 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 TUH Garda vetting policy.
Point on Salary Scale
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.
Probation
The probationary period may be extended at the Hospital’s 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 Employment
The 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 Management’s 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.
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Collect, interpret and present data and information on the Department’s activities, staffing and expenditure, as required.
Pension Arrangements and Retirement age
There are three superannuation schemes currently in operation for staff in TUH:
(a) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant)
(b) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant)
(c) Single Public Service Pension Scheme
Please 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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
Confidentiality
You 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 2015
Schedule 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 child’s 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 https://www.tusla.ie/children-first. 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.
