Job summary
Due to an exciting investment, we are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Speech and Language Therapist with specialist skills in Head & Neck Cancer and Voice. This post is to provide backfill for the Head & Neck and Voice clinical leads whilst they establish an SLT-led "2 Week Wait (2WW)" clinic within the ENT service. This is a fixed-term part-time post until March 2026, with potential for extension dependent on the continuation of the SLT-led 2WW service.
We are an innovative, experienced, and supportive SLT service with excellent opportunities for professional and personal growth. The UHP SLT service spans stroke, acute, head & neck cancer, and voice services, with access to MDT working, Joint ENT/Voice clinics, videofluoroscopy and FEES. The SLT-led 2WW clinics presents a unique opportunity for advanced practice within SLT and could become part of the post-holder's role if the service is continued.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
The post-holder is responsible for the provision of highly specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention for people with a range of communication and swallowing disorders arising from Head & Neck Cancer and the treatment thereof.
The post-holder is responsible for the provision of highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment for adults with Voice disorders in the outpatient setting.
The post holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), to ensure inter-professional patient care for patients with Head and Neck cancer and Voice disorders.
The post holder will participate in service monitoring including collection and analysis of data and outcome measures.
The post holder will participate in team meetings, audit, and research projects. They will provide training and clinical support to the wider SLT team and other healthcare professionals.
The post-holder will report to the Principal Speech & Language Therapist for Head & Neck Oncology and Voice and will provide clinical and operational support for the head and neck cancer service in their absence. They will also provide operational support within the Voice service as required in the absence of the Voice Clinical Lead SLT.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission.
We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
Clinical: Head & Neck Cancer
1. To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, development, implementation and monitoring of treatment for a personal or shared caseload of head and neck cancer patients, with access to clinical supervision and advice from senior colleagues and relevant others.
2. To make appropriate differential diagnoses and highly-specialist clinical decisions on the evidence of assessment of complex cases including need to refer for further diagnostics.
3. To provide highly-specialist SLT advice to voice and head & neck cancer MDTs and others regarding the management and care of both outpatients and inpatients.
4. To undertake and interpret highly-specialist assessments using instrumental assessment techniques such as videofluoroscopy and fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.
5. To work closely with MDT colleagues across a range of outpatient settings, including support within specialist clinics and attendance at MDT, local and regional meetings.
6. To provide support to total laryngectomy services across in- and outpatient settings, including assessment, treatment and management of communication and swallowing problems.
Clinical: Voice
7. To manage an outpatient caseload and to provide a highly specialist clinical service for the assessment, treatment and management of voice disorders based upon current research and evidence.
8. To work closely with ENT colleagues, including supporting the Joint Voice Clinic, to provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and management to voice patients.
9. To undertake and interpret highly-specialist assessments using instrumental assessment techniques, such as videostroboscopy and acoustic analysis, and to use these to inform appropriate treatment.
10. To reach differential diagnoses based on assimilated evidence from formal and informal assessments where there are multiple diagnoses, evidence may be conflicting, and expert opinion may differ.
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
Clinical: Head & Neck Cancer
1. To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, development, implementation and monitoring of treatment for a personal or shared caseload of head and neck cancer patients, with access to clinical supervision and advice from senior colleagues and relevant others.
2. To make appropriate differential diagnoses and highly-specialist clinical decisions on the evidence of assessment of complex cases including need to refer for further diagnostics.
3. To provide highly-specialist SLT advice to voice and head & neck cancer MDTs and others regarding the management and care of both outpatients and inpatients.
4. To undertake and interpret highly-specialist assessments using instrumental assessment techniques such as videofluoroscopy and fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.
5. To work closely with MDT colleagues across a range of outpatient settings, including support within specialist clinics and attendance at MDT, local and regional meetings.
6. To provide support to total laryngectomy services across in- and outpatient settings, including assessment, treatment and management of communication and swallowing problems.
Clinical: Voice
7. To manage an outpatient caseload and to provide a highly specialist clinical service for the assessment, treatment and management of voice disorders based upon current research and evidence.
8. To work closely with ENT colleagues, including supporting the Joint Voice Clinic, to provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and management to voice patients.
9. To undertake and interpret highly-specialist assessments using instrumental assessment techniques, such as videostroboscopy and acoustic analysis, and to use these to inform appropriate treatment.
10. To reach differential diagnoses based on assimilated evidence from formal and informal assessments where there are multiple diagnoses, evidence may be conflicting, and expert opinion may differ.
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Work to the guidance and standards of the RCSLT.
- Demonstrable post-graduate experience as a Speech & Language Therapist.
- Demonstrable experience working with adults with acquired disorders of communication and swallowing, including working with both voice and head & neck cancer caseloads.
Desirable
- Demonstrable specialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) or Endoscopic Evaluation of the Larynx (EEL). o
- Demonstrable specialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting videofluoroscopy.
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised RCSLT degree (or equivalent).
- Registered member of RCSLT.
- HCPC licence to practice.
Desirable
- Clinical supervisor training.
- Advanced Communication Skills training.
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Proven developed auditory and perceptual skills
- Proven negotiation and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy.
Desirable
- Able to provide clinical supervision for SLT students in training.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Work to the guidance and standards of the RCSLT.
- Demonstrable post-graduate experience as a Speech & Language Therapist.
- Demonstrable experience working with adults with acquired disorders of communication and swallowing, including working with both voice and head & neck cancer caseloads.
Desirable
- Demonstrable specialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) or Endoscopic Evaluation of the Larynx (EEL). o
- Demonstrable specialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting videofluoroscopy.
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised RCSLT degree (or equivalent).
- Registered member of RCSLT.
- HCPC licence to practice.
Desirable
- Clinical supervisor training.
- Advanced Communication Skills training.
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Proven developed auditory and perceptual skills
- Proven negotiation and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy.
Desirable
- Able to provide clinical supervision for SLT students in training.
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).
