Highly Specialist Speech and Language therapist, Head and Neck Cancer

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Speech and Language intervention in the head and neck cancer patient population requires advanced specialist knowledge and skills. The caseload is varied and complex and ranges from early stage oro-pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers to advanced disease and /or cases requiring second opinions.

Treatment is broad, and is usually multi-modal, involving surgery, radiotherapy (proton and photon), chemotherapy and / or protein therapy. There is a wide range of patient profiles from teenage young adult, to geriatric. There are specific diagnostic procedures used by speech and language therapist to define the impairment both as a result of the disease, and as a consequence of the treatment. These procedures inform and define the intervention and highlight the most appropriate therapeutic techniques for rehabilitation of speech, swallow, voice and respiration.

The Speech and Language Therapists within the Head and Neck team are specialists dedicated to Head and Neck. The post holder is responsible for the provision of a Speech and Language Therapy service within the Head and Neck team and will report directly to the Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist for Head and Neck.

In line with the Trust philosophy these services are at a tertiary level, acting as resource for multidisciplinary care providers in secondary level services. The post holder works as part of an MDT contributing to the assessment, management and treatment of referred patients including highly complex and rare head and neck conditions.

The post holder will be based at UCH at all times providing both inpatient and outpatient services.

Job Purpose

To provide a high standard of Speech and Language Therapy to patients with highly complex and rare head and neck benign and malignant disease as an autonomous practitioner. Staff are guided and supported by the Clinical lead and Consultant Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapists

Our organisation is driven by our strategic objectives and organisational values and we look for people who are strongly aligned with them. Our Team is tight knit and work well together. This position would suit a developing specialist who is looking for a Team that can provide a high level of mentoring and support on an on-going basis. The team offers excellent line management and peer supporta wide range of opportunities for professional and career development a full induction programme and regular clinical supervision modern. We have a rich weekly CPD programme to promote and enhance skill and knowledge development.

Annual leave starts at 27 days a year plus bank holidays pro-rated.

You will be employed in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in Agenda for Change.

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and so the successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure

You will form part of a team of 16 Speech and Language Therapy service colleagues based within UCH.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• Licence to practice as a Speech and Language therapist (HCPC)
• BSc. Speech Path or equivalent (including Dip. CST)
• Post graduate dysphagia trained
• Member of RCSLT

Desirable

• Successful completion of highly specialist post graduate study relevant to ENT or head and neck cancer e.g. FEES, advanced dysphagia course including videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy management, surgical voice restoration

Experience

Essential

• Post-registration experience within an acute setting
• 3 years post registration dysphagia experience
• Experience of oAssessing dysphagia oDeveloping dysphagia management and rehabilitation programmes
• 2 years post registration ENT, head and neck and/or maxillofacial experience
• Use of problem oriented medical records / SOAP notes
• Evidence of active participation in and/or experience in teaching in one or more of the following areas: oSLT in-service training oMDT in-service training oStudent training oInternal/External courses oJoint sessions with junior staff
• Evidence of supervision experience with one or more of the following groups: oBand 5/6 SLT oSLT Assistants oSLT students
• Post-registration experience of videofluoroscopy
• Post-registration tracheostomy experience
• Post-registration head and neck experience
• Post registration experience in surgical voice restoration after total laryngectomy

Desirable

• Evidence of involvement in clinical governance programmes including one or more of the following areas: oAudit and clinical effectiveness oRisk management oPublic patient involvement
• Post-registration experience of assessing and treating voice disorders

Communication

Essential

• Demonstrates understanding of and ability to manage the needs of patients with head and neck cancer, including the use of counselling skills as appropriate.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the emotional needs of patients and carers and ability to use strategies to manage emotional behaviour.
• Demonstrates professional and effective verbal and written communication skills including excellent negotiation skills with patients, carers and other health professional staff in complex case management, service delivery issues and conflict management.
• Demonstrates highly developed skills in multidisciplinary team working

Personal & people development

Essential

• Proven ability to identify areas for own personal/professional development through highly developed reflective practice skills and integrate knowledge gained into own practice
• Effective time management and the ability to prioritise own SLT workload
• Evidence of supervision skills

Health, safety and security

Essential

• Proven ability to identify equipment and resource needs within own area of work
• Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to Infection Control and Health and Safety Guidelines when dealing with frequent unpleasant conditions relating to patient contact including moving and handling

Quality and service improvement

Essential

• Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to national and local clinical guidelines with reference to assessment and rehabilitation of communication and swallowing disorders in patients with head and neck cancer
• Proven ability to participate in the development of local policies and care protocols for rehabilitation of speech, voice and swallowing disorders, informed by a strong evidence base
• Proven experience in planning, reviewing and auditing uni- and multidisciplinary service delivery
• Proven ability to monitor equipment resources within own area of work
• Evidence of effective clinical reasoning in the management of complex communication and swallowing disorders
• Demonstrates knowledge of RCSLT and HPC's code of ethics and professional conduct
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate legislation affecting working practice, e.g. Working with Vulnerable Adults and Safeguarding Children

Information processing (IT skills)

Essential

• Competent IT skills

Equality and Diversity

Essential

• Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the Equal Opportunities Policy

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to express reasons for desire to work in this area
• A flexible approach to the changing service needs

Other requirements, including:

Essential

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• The ability to understand and adhere to Equal Opportunities Policy and risk management policy

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).