Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Head and Neck/ENT

The closing date is 20 January 2026

Job summary

Are you a highly motivated, skilled and experienced Speech & Language Therapist looking for an exciting post based within Head and Neck/ENT SLT Services at Addenbrooke's Hospital?

We are delighted to be appointing to a permanent full-time post to provide specialist SLT input to the Head and Neck cancer / Oncology and ENT team (Voice therapy). We are looking for someone with the required combination of skills, experience and drive to help support this well established and regionally renowned team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist to work within our friendly, supportive and enthusiastic team based in a busy acute teaching hospital.

Experience of on-going clinical service development, developing and delivering training and close MDT working is required. The post holder will have a comprehensive background in Ear, nose and throat disorders, and experience in Head and Neck Cancer Care and Oncology.

Sound clinical skills and experience in voice therapy, analysis, and management including ability to perform and interpret flexible nasendoscopy / EEL is essential.

As an advanced specialist clinician you would be expected to contribute to SLT service improvement initiatives and also provide support and supervision to less experienced therapists and students. In all cases, training and development needs will be identified and a personal development plan agreed and supported.

Main duties of the job

The post offers an excellent opportunity to build on existing skills whilst being part of a supportive and progressive team. Excellent professional supervision and peer support is available. The SLT post holder will be welcomed as an integral member of the ENT / H&N multi-disciplinary team.

SLT Services at Addenbrooke's are managed by a Professional Head of SLT and structured into four clinical areas, each led by a Clinical Lead SLT. These are ENT / Head and Neck, Adult Acute, Acute Paediatrics and Neonates and Acute Stroke / Neuro / Trauma Rehab. In addition, the Service is commissioned by NHS England to deliver specialised AAC services to the region. This work is undertaken by the specialist MDT - Communication Aid Service East of England (CASEE).

Main duties of the jobTo contribute to the provision of a Highly Specialist SLT Voice service and Head and Neck Oncology service within the SLT ENT Team.

To provide highly specialist clinical input to a defined caseload, including patients with complex disorders, prioritising needs and managing workload independently. Including running Outpatient Instrumental assessment clinics (VFS and FEES).

To be proactive in developing specialist services offered to patients and contributing to the multidisciplinary management of patients, taking a holistic approach to care.

Opportunities to provide remote intervention for patients with Voice disorders as well as access to On site FNE clinics and Joint ENT/SLT led clinics.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Details

Date posted

08 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year p.a. pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

180-B-263010

Job locations

Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 20 January 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 29 January 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 20 January 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 29 January 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
  • Health and Care Professions Council Registration
  • Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
  • Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent
  • Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses in voice, communication and swallowing disorders in Head and Neck, including laryngectomy and tracheostomy management, to masters level equivalent
  • Member of Specialist Interest Groups

Experience

Essential

  • In depth post graduate experience in specialist area of head and neck
  • Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex voice, communication and swallowing disorders associated with and head and neck caseload
  • Independent use and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations
  • Proven competence in the independent management of laryngectomy patients, including surgical voice restoration
  • Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies
  • Experience in the area of voice, including use of specialist assessment and therapeutic techniques
  • Experience in the selection, use and programming of augmentative communication systems
  • Experience in the assessment and management of trismus including provision of appropriate therapeutic devices
  • Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals
  • Experience of supervising students and supporting less experienced SLTs
  • Involvement in multidisciplinary working

Desirable

  • Experience in provision of oesophageal voice training
  • Experience in training and provision of therapy with use of an electrolarynx

Knowledge

Essential

  • Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of voice, communication and dysphagia relevant to head and neck cancer
  • In depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group
  • In depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance / audit to monitor and improve service
  • Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group
  • Knowledge of standards of record keeping

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
  • Highly developed auditory and perceptual discriminatory skills for analysis of voice and speech, including phonetic transcription
  • Advanced clinical skills in analysis and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations, including ability to pass the nasendoscope
  • Advanced skills in Surgical Voice Restoration, including sizing, selecting, placing and maintenance of voice prostheses
  • Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written
  • Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member and assume leadership responsibilities
  • Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills for management of complex cases
  • Excellent analytical and reflection skills
  • Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills
  • Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials
  • Counselling skills

Desirable

  • Advanced skills in suctioning for laryngectomy and/or tracheostomy patients

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
  • Health and Care Professions Council Registration
  • Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
  • Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent
  • Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses in voice, communication and swallowing disorders in Head and Neck, including laryngectomy and tracheostomy management, to masters level equivalent
  • Member of Specialist Interest Groups

Experience

Essential

  • In depth post graduate experience in specialist area of head and neck
  • Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex voice, communication and swallowing disorders associated with and head and neck caseload
  • Independent use and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations
  • Proven competence in the independent management of laryngectomy patients, including surgical voice restoration
  • Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies
  • Experience in the area of voice, including use of specialist assessment and therapeutic techniques
  • Experience in the selection, use and programming of augmentative communication systems
  • Experience in the assessment and management of trismus including provision of appropriate therapeutic devices
  • Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals
  • Experience of supervising students and supporting less experienced SLTs
  • Involvement in multidisciplinary working

Desirable

  • Experience in provision of oesophageal voice training
  • Experience in training and provision of therapy with use of an electrolarynx

Knowledge

Essential

  • Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of voice, communication and dysphagia relevant to head and neck cancer
  • In depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group
  • In depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance / audit to monitor and improve service
  • Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group
  • Knowledge of standards of record keeping

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
  • Highly developed auditory and perceptual discriminatory skills for analysis of voice and speech, including phonetic transcription
  • Advanced clinical skills in analysis and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations, including ability to pass the nasendoscope
  • Advanced skills in Surgical Voice Restoration, including sizing, selecting, placing and maintenance of voice prostheses
  • Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written
  • Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member and assume leadership responsibilities
  • Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills for management of complex cases
  • Excellent analytical and reflection skills
  • Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills
  • Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials
  • Counselling skills

Desirable

  • Advanced skills in suctioning for laryngectomy and/or tracheostomy patients

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Employer's website

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Employer's website

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior SLT H&N/ENT

Laura Hammond

laura.hammond18@nhs.net

01223216200

Details

Date posted

08 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year p.a. pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

180-B-263010

Job locations

Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ


Supporting documents

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