Job summary
Following the success of a project post an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who is keen to extend their skills further to work within our Head and Neck surgical oncology team at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
We are seeking to recruit a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the team for a one year fixed term post (with the potential to extend) working in the Head and Neck Cancer 2 week wait (2ww) clinic. The successful candidate will work alongside our Head and Neck Surgical Consultants and the Head and Neck Clinical Lead SLT to run SLT led clinics, including assessment and management of 2ww referrals.
Following completion of a head and neck cancer screening competency programme the successful candidate will act as an autonomous clinician in forming clinical decisions and management plans in the assessment and diagnosis of patients referred on the 2ww head and neck cancer pathway.
The post-holder will have significant postgraduate specialist experience of managing patients with complex swallowing and communication disorders associated with a diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer. You will have the ability to perform flexible nasendoscopy for examination of the larynx and/or to undertake FEES and will also have a proven track record of working as an autonomous speech and language therapist within a multidisciplinary team.
Main duties of the job
The SLT will see all new patients referred on the 2 week wait pathway with the exception of those referred with a primary symptom of isolated otalgia, skin lesion or oral lesion.The role will involve examination of a diverse range of patients with a variety of symptoms, including voice and swallowing disorders, arising from benign aetiology as well as disorders/ presentations relating to a potential diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
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About us
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield - as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
The head and neck cancer unit at Guy's Hospital is one of the largest tertiary referral base centres in the UK for Complex Head and Neck Oncological Surgery including Salvage Surgery, Transoral Robotic Surgery, Thyroid and Salivary Gland Cancer. It is the regional specialist centre for head and neck cancer, providing inpatient and outpatient services to more than 400 patients within South East London each year. A specialist team including medical, nursing and allied health professional staff work within the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to treat patients with head and neck cancer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Following completion of a comprehensive head and neck cancer screening competency programme the successful candidate will act as an autonomous clinician in forming clinical decisions and management plans in the assessment and diagnosis of patients referred with red flag symptoms on the 2 week wait (2ww) head and neck cancer pathway.
The SLT will see all new patients referred on the 2ww pathway with the exception of those referred with a primary symptom of isolated otalgia, skin lesion or oral lesion.
The role will involve examination of a diverse range of patients with a variety of symptoms, including voice and swallowing disorders, arising from benign aetiology as well as disorders/ presentations relating to a potential diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
In collaboration with the Head and Neck Surgical Consultants and the Head and Neck Clinical Lead SLT to continue to develop SLT led clinics, across the cancer pathway.
As a core member of the Head and Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to influence decision making regarding treatment planning and consequences for rehabilitation of speech, voice and swallowing.
To take responsibility for planning service developments in the specialism within the Trust and Network wide in conjunction with the Lead Consultant and wider MDT
Job description
Job responsibilities
Following completion of a comprehensive head and neck cancer screening competency programme the successful candidate will act as an autonomous clinician in forming clinical decisions and management plans in the assessment and diagnosis of patients referred with red flag symptoms on the 2 week wait (2ww) head and neck cancer pathway.
The SLT will see all new patients referred on the 2ww pathway with the exception of those referred with a primary symptom of isolated otalgia, skin lesion or oral lesion.
The role will involve examination of a diverse range of patients with a variety of symptoms, including voice and swallowing disorders, arising from benign aetiology as well as disorders/ presentations relating to a potential diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
In collaboration with the Head and Neck Surgical Consultants and the Head and Neck Clinical Lead SLT to continue to develop SLT led clinics, across the cancer pathway.
As a core member of the Head and Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to influence decision making regarding treatment planning and consequences for rehabilitation of speech, voice and swallowing.
To take responsibility for planning service developments in the specialism within the Trust and Network wide in conjunction with the Lead Consultant and wider MDT
Person Specification
Previous Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 5 years specialist experience working with patients with acquired communication and swallowing impairments arising from a diagnosis of head and neck cancer and associated surgical and/or oncological treatment.
- Experience of working independently with a specialist caseload of patients presenting with a voice disorder.
- Previous experience of conducting audits and quality improvement projects
Desirable
- Active regular participation in a Joint voice clinic. Experience of running an SLT led voice clinic.
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential
- RCSLT level 2b FEES assessor and endoscopist competence. Competence in undertaking Videofluoroscopy including interpretation and reporting.
- Evidence of advanced specialist knowledge and skills in management of dysphagia and communication impairments arising from a diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer.
- Knowledge and experience of interpretation of perceptual assessments of voice
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma /Degree leading to RCSLT licence to practice
- Masters and / or equivalent level of post-graduate specialist training short courses, specific training relevant to the specialism
- Registered Member of Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Desirable
- Postgraduate training in videolaryngostroboscopy and nasendoscopy
Person Specification
Previous Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 5 years specialist experience working with patients with acquired communication and swallowing impairments arising from a diagnosis of head and neck cancer and associated surgical and/or oncological treatment.
- Experience of working independently with a specialist caseload of patients presenting with a voice disorder.
- Previous experience of conducting audits and quality improvement projects
Desirable
- Active regular participation in a Joint voice clinic. Experience of running an SLT led voice clinic.
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential
- RCSLT level 2b FEES assessor and endoscopist competence. Competence in undertaking Videofluoroscopy including interpretation and reporting.
- Evidence of advanced specialist knowledge and skills in management of dysphagia and communication impairments arising from a diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer.
- Knowledge and experience of interpretation of perceptual assessments of voice
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma /Degree leading to RCSLT licence to practice
- Masters and / or equivalent level of post-graduate specialist training short courses, specific training relevant to the specialism
- Registered Member of Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Desirable
- Postgraduate training in videolaryngostroboscopy and nasendoscopy
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.
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.
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).
