Job summary
This is a newly funded role and provides a rare and unique opportunity to gain experience in head and neck cancer, voice and upper airway disorders in one of the busiest and renowned units in the UK. It would be suitable for an NQP or a current SLT looking to develop their skills in this specialist area.
You will work closely alongside an experienced team of SLTs and supportive ENT and respiratory multi-disciplinary teams. You will have the opportunity to be involved in regular instrumental assessment clinics, in-patient and out-patient work as well as specialist multi-disciplinary clinics. The team are based within the ENT department at the Freeman hospital though attend the Royal Victoria Infirmary for specialist respiratory clinics and appropriate in-patient referrals.
The department is highly research active and continuously strives for innovation and excellence via audit and service improvement projects. We are a small, friendly team who work closely together, placing a strong emphasis on building resilience and well-being via regular supervision and leadership activities.
- Interview Date Wednesday 02 April 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be supported to become dysphagia competent if required. We have excellent access to internal and external training opportunities.
Our service provides daily endoscopy clinics and twice weekly videofluoroscopy clinics. The head and neck cancer MDT treats patients from across the region, and you will be involved in patient care from point of diagnosis through to end of life. This includes providing pre-treatment assessment and intervention, post-operative rehabilitation both acutely and long-term and on-treatment and post-treatment support for patients having non-surgical treatment. We work closely with all members of the MDT as well as local support teams for patients transferring back to their local area. Newcastle is one of the busiest head and neck centres in the country with high rates of laryngectomy and complex oral and maxillo-facial surgery and reconstruction.
Our voice and upper airway service provides assessment and therapy and you will be supported to develop your skills with this caseload via supporting endoscopy assessment clinics and having your own caseload of therapy patients. We see patients face to face, offering telehealth where appropriate. You will have the opportunity to experience specialist multi-disciplinary clinics including voice clinic, local anaesthetic vocal cord injection, severe asthma and professional voice users. We have also recently started the first funded SLT role into the non-invasive ventilation clinic.
About us
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work alongside more experienced Speech & Language Therapists in providing a specialised service to patients with voice, upper airway and swallowing problems. This is in both the acute in-patient and out-patient setting within the ENT department of the Freeman Hospital.
We are looking for an individual who is ready to work in a fast-paced but highly rewarding environment. You will be well-supported to develop your skills and have many opportunities to contribute to audits, service improvement projects and research. We require someone who is highly organised, flexible and an excellent team-worker.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work alongside more experienced Speech & Language Therapists in providing a specialised service to patients with voice, upper airway and swallowing problems. This is in both the acute in-patient and out-patient setting within the ENT department of the Freeman Hospital.
We are looking for an individual who is ready to work in a fast-paced but highly rewarding environment. You will be well-supported to develop your skills and have many opportunities to contribute to audits, service improvement projects and research. We require someone who is highly organised, flexible and an excellent team-worker.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders in adults
- Familiarity with a range of assessments and therapeutic approaches for adults
Desirable
- Audit and research principles
SKILLS
Essential
- Ability to assess communication disorders
- Awareness of dysphagia management
- Basic teaching, training, and presentation skills
- Good communication skills
- Good organisation and time management skills
- Basic computer skills
Desirable
- Dysphagia assessment skills
- Computer skills to an advanced level
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Undergraduate or previous speech and language therapy experience including work with an adult caseload
- Some experience of working with teams
- Experience of communication aids
Desirable
- Previous work experience with adults
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
- Registered with Health Professions Council
- Licence to Practice from RCSLT
- Undergraduate dysphagia modules
Desirable
- Previous work experience with dysphagia
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders in adults
- Familiarity with a range of assessments and therapeutic approaches for adults
Desirable
- Audit and research principles
SKILLS
Essential
- Ability to assess communication disorders
- Awareness of dysphagia management
- Basic teaching, training, and presentation skills
- Good communication skills
- Good organisation and time management skills
- Basic computer skills
Desirable
- Dysphagia assessment skills
- Computer skills to an advanced level
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Undergraduate or previous speech and language therapy experience including work with an adult caseload
- Some experience of working with teams
- Experience of communication aids
Desirable
- Previous work experience with adults
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
- Registered with Health Professions Council
- Licence to Practice from RCSLT
- Undergraduate dysphagia modules
Desirable
- Previous work experience with dysphagia
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).
