University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Voice Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 21 August 2025

Job summary

We are delighted to be seeking an enthusiastic and demonstrably experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our Specialist Voice team. Based at University Hospital Plymouth, you will work within our outpatient voice clinic, utilising both face-to-face and Telehealth services, honing your specialist skills with the supervision and guidance of our Clinical Lead SLT. You will also have access to Joint Voice Clinics with ENT.

You will provide specialist assessment, differential diagnosis and therapeutic intervention for people with voice disorders, and will have previous demonstrable experience of working with people with dysphonia and dysphagia. You will be supported by the Band 7 Voice Clinical Lead SLT and develop strong links with both the inpatient and head & neck SLT teams, as well as ENT.

This is a part-time permanent position. For more information please contact Denise Clifford, Lead Voice SLT, on 01752 432204 or email denise.clifford@nhs.net.

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, videofluoroscopy and FEES.

Main duties of the job

Key Dimensions:

To independently manage a personal caseload of service users with voice (dysphonia) and swallowing (dysphagia) disorders with reference to theory, published research and evidence-based practice.

To be responsible for training and advising patients, carers, professionals, and non-professionals in how to support speech, language, and communication difficulties in relation to caseload.

To support the Band 7 Highly Specialist Voice Lead SLT by contributing to the development of the Voice Service, including data collection, contribution to annual reports and attendance at local Voice Forums.

***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.***

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.

Details

Date posted

07 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year £38,682 - £46,580 Per Annum Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

216-LH-C7115757

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, development, implementation and monitoring of treatment for a personal or shared caseload of Voice outpatients, with access to clinical supervision and advice from senior colleagues and relevant others.

2. To independently manage personal / shared clinical caseload with reference to theory, published research and evidence, and agreed best practice.

3. To triage and respond to referrals to the Voice Service in line with departmental guidelines.

4. To undertake a range of formal and informal assessments, as indicated by the presenting condition or disorder. This will include analysis and understanding of a range of factors, such as the use of voice, grammar, vocabulary, speech sounds, fluency, social use of language, non-verbal communication.

5. To assess and manage outpatients with a dual diagnosis of dysphonia and dysphagia. This includes identification of when instrumental assessment, such as videofluoroscopy, may be indicated.

6. To be responsible for own case notes, medical/ward case notes and report writing for a range of purposes including legal.

7. To identify, collect, analyse, and interpret case related information and data from medical notes, patients, carers and other relevant sources.

8. To reach differential diagnoses based on evidence gathered from assessments and other sources, and with reference to theory.

9. To prioritise and decide on appropriate treatment/management matched to individual patient/family need from a range of options ensuring patient/carers are fully involved in the decision-making process.

10. To be responsible for reporting findings and recommendations in the patients medical/ward notes, and dissemination of clinical reports to appropriate professionals and relevant others

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, development, implementation and monitoring of treatment for a personal or shared caseload of Voice outpatients, with access to clinical supervision and advice from senior colleagues and relevant others.

2. To independently manage personal / shared clinical caseload with reference to theory, published research and evidence, and agreed best practice.

3. To triage and respond to referrals to the Voice Service in line with departmental guidelines.

4. To undertake a range of formal and informal assessments, as indicated by the presenting condition or disorder. This will include analysis and understanding of a range of factors, such as the use of voice, grammar, vocabulary, speech sounds, fluency, social use of language, non-verbal communication.

5. To assess and manage outpatients with a dual diagnosis of dysphonia and dysphagia. This includes identification of when instrumental assessment, such as videofluoroscopy, may be indicated.

6. To be responsible for own case notes, medical/ward case notes and report writing for a range of purposes including legal.

7. To identify, collect, analyse, and interpret case related information and data from medical notes, patients, carers and other relevant sources.

8. To reach differential diagnoses based on evidence gathered from assessments and other sources, and with reference to theory.

9. To prioritise and decide on appropriate treatment/management matched to individual patient/family need from a range of options ensuring patient/carers are fully involved in the decision-making process.

10. To be responsible for reporting findings and recommendations in the patients medical/ward notes, and dissemination of clinical reports to appropriate professionals and relevant others

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oRecognised RCSLT degree (or equivalent).
  • oHCPC licence to practice.
  • oCompetent at Specialist Dysphagia Practitioner level (Inter Professional Dysphagia Framework).

Desirable

  • oClinical supervisor training.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • oWork to the guidance and standards of the RCSLT.
  • oProven specialist, up-to-date knowledge, and skills across a broad range of assessment and treatment approaches for voice and swallowing disorders.
  • oDemonstrable experience of working with people with voice disorders.

Desirable

  • oCompletion of Estill Voice and/or Voice Craft training
  • oComprehensive understanding of the RCSLT policies/protocols on the use of nasendoscopy and video-laryngoscopy.
  • oSpecialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting nasendoscopy investigations.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • oHighly developed auditory and perceptual skills
  • oExcellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy.
  • oWell-developed negotiation and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

  • oAble to provide clinical supervision for SLT students in training
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oRecognised RCSLT degree (or equivalent).
  • oHCPC licence to practice.
  • oCompetent at Specialist Dysphagia Practitioner level (Inter Professional Dysphagia Framework).

Desirable

  • oClinical supervisor training.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • oWork to the guidance and standards of the RCSLT.
  • oProven specialist, up-to-date knowledge, and skills across a broad range of assessment and treatment approaches for voice and swallowing disorders.
  • oDemonstrable experience of working with people with voice disorders.

Desirable

  • oCompletion of Estill Voice and/or Voice Craft training
  • oComprehensive understanding of the RCSLT policies/protocols on the use of nasendoscopy and video-laryngoscopy.
  • oSpecialist clinical/technical skills in undertaking and interpreting nasendoscopy investigations.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • oHighly developed auditory and perceptual skills
  • oExcellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy.
  • oWell-developed negotiation and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

  • oAble 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.

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

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospitals Plymouth

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead SLT in Voice and Videofluoroscopy

Denise Clifford

denise.clifford@nhs.net

01752432202

Details

Date posted

07 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year £38,682 - £46,580 Per Annum Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

216-LH-C7115757

Job locations

University Hospitals Plymouth

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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