Advanced Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Adult Critical Care

Cambridge University Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust; Cambourne; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site leisure facilities

Bus travel discounts via scheme

Parking subsidies

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 7 Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to support the Critical Care SLT team in the ICU. You will assess complex dysphagia and communication disorders in adults, use FEES, and contribute to education, audits and service development.

Significant experience in critical care is essential, including tracheostomy management. The role is permanent and part-time, with opportunities for leadership and training across the

Qualifications

• Recognised SLT degree and professional registration.
• Advanced specialist training in critical care swallowing and tracheostomy management.
• Experience with FEES examinations and tracheostomy care.
• Capability to supervise students and support junior SLTs.

Responsibilities

• Independently assess and manage adults with complex dysphagia and communication disorders in general ICU.
• Provide leadership, supervision and education within the team; contribute to audits and quality improvement.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Observation and empathy

Auditory and phonetic transcription

FEES interpretation

Tracheostomy management

Leadership and supervision

Training and education

Problem solving and negotiation

Analytical and reflective thinking

Prioritisation and organisational

Therapy materials and reporting skills

Counselling Skills

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent

Health Professions Council Registration

Registered with RCSLT

Advanced specialist short courses in critical care dysphagia and tracheostomy management (masters level equivalent)

Specialist Interest Groups membership

Job description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join the Critical Care Speech and Language Therapy team at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

We are pleased to advertise a permanent, part-time band 7 Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist position to support the provision of specialist SLT services in a general intensive care unit.We are seeking a highly motivated clinician with expertise in the assessment and management of adults with complex dysphagia and communication disorders within a critical care setting.Experience in instrumental swallowing assessment and tracheostomy management is highly desirable. The target start date for this position is April 2027.

Main duties of the job

You will independently assess and manage adults with highly complex dysphagia and communication disorders within general ICU, providing advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based management recommendations.

You will provide clinical leadership through supervision and support of students, contribute to education and training, participate in audit, research and quality improvement initiatives, and play an active role in the ongoing development of Adult Acute SLT services.

You will provide cover for the Senior Specialist SLT in service and team co-ordination, operational management and representation at relevant forums as required.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

This vacancy will close at midnight on the 18th October 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on the 26th October 2026.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
• Health professions Council Registration
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Evidence of successful completion of advanced specialist short courses in communication and swallowing disorders in critical care, including tracheostomy management, to masters level equivalent
• Member of Specialist Interest Groups

Experience

Essential

• In depth post graduate experience in specialist area of communication and swallowing in the acute setting
• Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex communication and swallowing disorders associated with a critical care caseload
• Independent use and interpretation of FEES examinations
• Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies, including ventilator dependent patients
• Experience in the selection, use and programming of augmentative communication systems
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals
• Experience of supervising students and supporting less experienced SLTs
• Involvement in multidisciplinary working

Desirable

• NHS Experience

Knowledge

Essential

• Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia relevant to critical care.
• In depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group.
• In depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit to monitor and improve service
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills.
• Highly developed auditory and perceptual discriminatory skills for analysis of speech, including phonetic transcription
• Advanced clinical skills in analysis and interpretation of FEES examinations, including ability to pass the nasendoscope
• Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member and assume leadership responsibilities
• Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills for management of complex cases
• Excellent analytical and reflection skills
• Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills
• Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials

Desirable

• Counselling Skills

Additional Requirements

Essential

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).