Job summary
Looking for a fresh challenge? We are recruiting for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work as part of the Acute and Head & Neck/ENT teams. We will provide you with training and pastoral support and offer an outstanding learning and development package with a broad range of development opportunities.
This will be based at both Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Maidstone Hospital sites . Candidates will be enthusiastic, flexible and engaging with a specialist interest in Head & Neck Oncology and ENT disorders. You will help deliver speech and language therapy to adults who present with a wide range of swallowing and communication disorders secondary to head and neck cancer or ENT disorders, including those with laryngectomy and tracheostomy. You will also have the opportunity to work in voice and with acute inpatient dysphagia patients. It is the perfect role if you love variety and would like to develop or maintain a range of skills.
See our recruitment video for therapies here:
MTW Therapy Recruitment Film
Main duties of the job
Excellent communication skills and significant experience in dysphagia, tracheostomy, complex communication disorders, laryngectomy and videoflouroscopy are essential. Further experience in voice and FEES is desirable. You will offer second opinions and guidance on more complex dysphagia and input into videofluoroscopy clinic. We need flexible, dynamic individuals capable of working well in a team. We would also consider candidates who are still developing these skills in to a developing B7 role. Just get in touch!
The broader SALT team is made up of 19SLTs, 4 SLT Assistants and an oral health practioner, split across both sites. We offer excellent clinical support and supervision, and ongoing professional development is actively encouraged. Speech and Language Therapy sits within the Therapies Directorate, in the Core Clinial Services Division and is co-located with Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Dietetics on both sites, making easy work of joint working.
About us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Click here to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
- At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered member of HPC
- RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies Level C or equivalent experience
Desirable
- RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies Level D or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience of working with clients with H&N ENT swallowing and/or communication disorders
- Experience of working with adults in both the acute and outpatient settings
- Experience of instrumental assessment with recognised competencies
- Experience providing training and specialist advice to external agencies
- Evidence of ongoing CPD/reflective practise related to area of specialty
Desirable
- Experience of line management including supervision
Skills
Essential
- Advanced communication support skills to include laryngectomy
- Demonstrable organisational and reflection skills, including the ability to prioritise and manage your own time effectively
- Able to work autonomously and as part of a team
Desirable
- Counselling skills
- Tracheostomy skills
- Oral and tracheal suction skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Detailed knowledge of oncology treatment approaches and known side-effects to include immunotherapy
- Detailed knowledge of ENT treatment approaches
- Knowledge of Eviden-Based Practice related to the specialty
- Understanding of principles of clinical governance
Desirable
- Understanding of local and National policy in relation to Acquired dysphagia and H&N Oncology/ENT
Additional requirements
Essential
- Willing and able to work flexibly across both sites according to service need
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered member of HPC
- RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies Level C or equivalent experience
Desirable
- RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies Level D or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience of working with clients with H&N ENT swallowing and/or communication disorders
- Experience of working with adults in both the acute and outpatient settings
- Experience of instrumental assessment with recognised competencies
- Experience providing training and specialist advice to external agencies
- Evidence of ongoing CPD/reflective practise related to area of specialty
Desirable
- Experience of line management including supervision
Skills
Essential
- Advanced communication support skills to include laryngectomy
- Demonstrable organisational and reflection skills, including the ability to prioritise and manage your own time effectively
- Able to work autonomously and as part of a team
Desirable
- Counselling skills
- Tracheostomy skills
- Oral and tracheal suction skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Detailed knowledge of oncology treatment approaches and known side-effects to include immunotherapy
- Detailed knowledge of ENT treatment approaches
- Knowledge of Eviden-Based Practice related to the specialty
- Understanding of principles of clinical governance
Desirable
- Understanding of local and National policy in relation to Acquired dysphagia and H&N Oncology/ENT
Additional requirements
Essential
- Willing and able to work flexibly across both sites according to service need
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).
