Job summary
The head and neck cancer MDT covers Calderdale & Huddersfield, Airedale and Bradford. The MDT meets weekly at Bradford. All major surgery takes place at Bradford Royal Infirmary, and oncology treatments are given in Leeds.
The CHFT head and neck cancer service has well established twice weekly AHP clinics which run with H&N CNS, dietitian and SLT input. The team consists of 3 CNS's, a cancer care coordinator, dietitian and part time B8a and B6 H&N SLTs. Patients are seen in the AHP clinic before they start treatment and again after treatment for rehabilitation.
In addition, there are regular laryngectomy clinics run with the ENT specialist nurses, a drop in valve troubleshooting clinic and OP SLT clinics. There is access to nasendoscopy and recording for FEES in the OP department as well as on both hospital sites.
There is a clinical support group for H&N SLT within the MDT hospitals which meets regularly, as well as a region wide H&N SLT group.
Main duties of the job
To work with our principal speech therapist and other speech therapy colleagues, to provide a highly specialist Speech & Language Therapy service for adults with communication, voice, and swallowing disorders associated with head and neck cancer, ENT conditions (including thyroid cancer), and their medical/surgical/oncological treatments. The postholder will work across the H&N cancer pathway, delivering expert assessment, intervention, rehabilitation, and multidisciplinary care.
About us
CHFT is an integrated Trust of 6,500+ colleagues providing hospital and community services to patients and communities across Calderdale and Kirklees. We are rated as 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission, are a top performing Trust for Elective Recovery, Emergency and Cancer Care and widely acknowledged as a national digital lead when it comes to caring for people across our local and regional systems.
Our people are at the core of everything we do, hence our commitment to One Culture of Care. Our focus is to care for and support each other in order to provide outstanding compassionate care to our patients. That is why we are looking for an inclusive collaborative, creative, innovative and compassionate leader to join us in this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- Deliver specialist assessment and differential diagnosis of dysphagia, dysphonia, communication disorders, and airway related issues in H&N and thyroid patients.
- Provide pretreatment counselling and posttreatment rehabilitation for patients undergoing surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy.
- Manage patients with tracheostomies and laryngectomies, including surgical voice restoration (e.g. managing voice prostheses, including changes).
- Perform instrumental assessments where appropriate (e.g., FEES, videofluoroscopy ).
- Develop and implement individualised treatment plans using evidence based practice.
- Monitor progress and adjust interventions throughout the cancer and surgical pathway.
- Provide specialist advice to patients, carers, and the MDT regarding communication and swallowing management.
- Participate in H&N MDT clinics, joint consultations, AHP clinics, laryngectomy clinics and OP SLT Clinics.
- Work collaboratively with ENT and Max Fax surgeons, oncologists, dietitians, CNS teams, restorative dentistry, radiographers, and palliative care.
- Contribute to coordinated discharge planning and community follow up where required.
Leadership, Education & Service Development
- Provide clinical supervision to junior SLTs, assistants, apprentices and students.
- Lead or contribute to service development, pathway redesign, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Deliver training to nursing, medical and SLT colleagues on communication, swallowing, and airway management.
- Participate in audit, research, and data collection to support service evaluation.
Professional Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate, timely clinical records in line with Trust and HCPC standards.
- Adhere to national guidelines, local policies, and professional codes of conduct.
- Contribute to departmental meetings, governance processes, and professional networks.
- To actively engage in extending knowledge and clinical experience in areas of special interest and share this learning with other members of the therapy team.
- To actively engage with clinical supervision demonstrating the ability to reflect on own practice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development needs.
- To adhere to departmental equipment policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others under supervision.
- To ensure that the therapy treatment and storage areas are well maintained and comply with health and safety standards.
- To assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager including recruitment, participation in working groups and multi-agency policy development groups.
- To be familiar with and follow policies and procedures relevant to the working environment.
- To involve patients and\or carers and other service users in the evaluation and future development of the service.
- To demonstrate the ability to manage people with challenging behaviour including the application of appropriate management strategies and to demonstrate these to others.
- To achieve the effective daily management of own caseload including responding to urgent referrals, prioritising clinical work and balancing other patient related and professional activities in accordance with departmental standards.
- To have up-to-date knowledge of current legislation, local and national policies and professional guidance relevant to the SALT profession and advise colleagues as required.
- To comply with Trust policies and national professional guidelines relating to the delivery of a H&N oncology and ENT service and be actively involved with all aspects of Clinical Governance including mandatory training, health and safety, risk assessment and audit.
- Participate in local and/or national courses relevant to specialty.
- Contribute to the SALT educational programmes organised for community and CHFT staff.
- To be proficient in and to make use of a variety of computer software packages including Microsoft Word and Excel, to produce therapy care plans, reports, information leaflets for patients and spreadsheets for the collection of data
- Maintain a flexible approach to the role and develop it according to need.
Accountability
Maintain HCPC and RCSLT registration.
Take responsibility for professional development.
Work within the scope of professional practice.
Attend and keep up to date with statutory and mandatory training.
To be professionally and legally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients care, ensuring a high standard of clinical care and supporting less experienced staff to do likewise.
To ensure regular maintenance of equipment used for patients, to maintain accuracy and safety.
This job description is an outline only and is not definitive or restrictive in any way. It will be regularly reviewed and may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- Deliver specialist assessment and differential diagnosis of dysphagia, dysphonia, communication disorders, and airway related issues in H&N and thyroid patients.
- Provide pretreatment counselling and posttreatment rehabilitation for patients undergoing surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy.
- Manage patients with tracheostomies and laryngectomies, including surgical voice restoration (e.g. managing voice prostheses, including changes).
- Perform instrumental assessments where appropriate (e.g., FEES, videofluoroscopy ).
- Develop and implement individualised treatment plans using evidence based practice.
- Monitor progress and adjust interventions throughout the cancer and surgical pathway.
- Provide specialist advice to patients, carers, and the MDT regarding communication and swallowing management.
- Participate in H&N MDT clinics, joint consultations, AHP clinics, laryngectomy clinics and OP SLT Clinics.
- Work collaboratively with ENT and Max Fax surgeons, oncologists, dietitians, CNS teams, restorative dentistry, radiographers, and palliative care.
- Contribute to coordinated discharge planning and community follow up where required.
Leadership, Education & Service Development
- Provide clinical supervision to junior SLTs, assistants, apprentices and students.
- Lead or contribute to service development, pathway redesign, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Deliver training to nursing, medical and SLT colleagues on communication, swallowing, and airway management.
- Participate in audit, research, and data collection to support service evaluation.
Professional Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate, timely clinical records in line with Trust and HCPC standards.
- Adhere to national guidelines, local policies, and professional codes of conduct.
- Contribute to departmental meetings, governance processes, and professional networks.
- To actively engage in extending knowledge and clinical experience in areas of special interest and share this learning with other members of the therapy team.
- To actively engage with clinical supervision demonstrating the ability to reflect on own practice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development needs.
- To adhere to departmental equipment policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others under supervision.
- To ensure that the therapy treatment and storage areas are well maintained and comply with health and safety standards.
- To assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager including recruitment, participation in working groups and multi-agency policy development groups.
- To be familiar with and follow policies and procedures relevant to the working environment.
- To involve patients and\or carers and other service users in the evaluation and future development of the service.
- To demonstrate the ability to manage people with challenging behaviour including the application of appropriate management strategies and to demonstrate these to others.
- To achieve the effective daily management of own caseload including responding to urgent referrals, prioritising clinical work and balancing other patient related and professional activities in accordance with departmental standards.
- To have up-to-date knowledge of current legislation, local and national policies and professional guidance relevant to the SALT profession and advise colleagues as required.
- To comply with Trust policies and national professional guidelines relating to the delivery of a H&N oncology and ENT service and be actively involved with all aspects of Clinical Governance including mandatory training, health and safety, risk assessment and audit.
- Participate in local and/or national courses relevant to specialty.
- Contribute to the SALT educational programmes organised for community and CHFT staff.
- To be proficient in and to make use of a variety of computer software packages including Microsoft Word and Excel, to produce therapy care plans, reports, information leaflets for patients and spreadsheets for the collection of data
- Maintain a flexible approach to the role and develop it according to need.
Accountability
Maintain HCPC and RCSLT registration.
Take responsibility for professional development.
Work within the scope of professional practice.
Attend and keep up to date with statutory and mandatory training.
To be professionally and legally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients care, ensuring a high standard of clinical care and supporting less experienced staff to do likewise.
To ensure regular maintenance of equipment used for patients, to maintain accuracy and safety.
This job description is an outline only and is not definitive or restrictive in any way. It will be regularly reviewed and may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered member of HCPC
- RCSLT Dysphagia competencies Level C
Desirable
- RCSLT Dysphagia competencies Level D
Knowledge Experience & Expertise
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
- Evidence of on-going CPD/ reflective practice related to area of specialty
- Detailed knowledge of oncology treatment approaches and known side-effects to include immunotherapy
- Detailed knowledge of ENT treatment approaches
- Knowledge of Evidence-Based Practice related to the specialty
- Understanding of principles of clinical governance
Desirable
- Experience of line management including supervision
- Understanding of local and National policy in relation to Acquired dysphagia and H&N Oncology/ENT
- Advanced Tracheostomy skills
- Counselling Skills
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)
Essential
- Ability to identify own learning needs and engage in self-directed learning for CPD
- Evidence of Experiential learning
- Ability to manage client expectation e.g. dealing with complaints
- Demonstrates Reflective Practice
- Knowledge of relevant Legislation, NSF'S/ Local and National initiatives
- Critical Appraisal Skills
- Demonstrates Positive attitudes and behaviours
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to organise self and others
- Proven ability to work well in a team
- Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with people with complex difficulties
- Ability to make decisions and problem solve when dealing with complex situations
- Ability to work in a stressful environment and concentrate in conditions requiring emotional demands
- Ability to recognise own limitations and have a willingness to share and learn skills from others
- Ability to prioritise own and others caseloads
Desirable
- Attendance of relevant CEN
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
- Registered member of HCPC
- RCSLT Dysphagia competencies Level C
Desirable
- RCSLT Dysphagia competencies Level D
Knowledge Experience & Expertise
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
- Evidence of on-going CPD/ reflective practice related to area of specialty
- Detailed knowledge of oncology treatment approaches and known side-effects to include immunotherapy
- Detailed knowledge of ENT treatment approaches
- Knowledge of Evidence-Based Practice related to the specialty
- Understanding of principles of clinical governance
Desirable
- Experience of line management including supervision
- Understanding of local and National policy in relation to Acquired dysphagia and H&N Oncology/ENT
- Advanced Tracheostomy skills
- Counselling Skills
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)
Essential
- Ability to identify own learning needs and engage in self-directed learning for CPD
- Evidence of Experiential learning
- Ability to manage client expectation e.g. dealing with complaints
- Demonstrates Reflective Practice
- Knowledge of relevant Legislation, NSF'S/ Local and National initiatives
- Critical Appraisal Skills
- Demonstrates Positive attitudes and behaviours
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to organise self and others
- Proven ability to work well in a team
- Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with people with complex difficulties
- Ability to make decisions and problem solve when dealing with complex situations
- Ability to work in a stressful environment and concentrate in conditions requiring emotional demands
- Ability to recognise own limitations and have a willingness to share and learn skills from others
- Ability to prioritise own and others caseloads
Desirable
- Attendance of relevant CEN
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Huddersfield Royal infirmary
Acre Mill Acre Street
Huddersfield
HD3 3EB
Employer's website
https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
