Advanced Speech & Language Therapist

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in South East England is seeking a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. The role involves delivering therapy to adults with swallowing and communication disorders associated with head and neck oncology. You will work at both Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone Hospital, with support for professional development and flexible working arrangements. A degree in Speech and Language Therapy and experience with H&N disorders are essential. Join us to make a significant impact on patient care.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Responsibilities

• Deliver speech and language therapy to adults with swallowing and communication disorders.
• Provide second opinions and guidance on complex dysphagia.
• Participate in the videofluoroscopy clinic.

Skills

Advanced communication support skills to include laryngectomy

Demonstrable organisational and reflection skills

Able to work autonomously and as part of a team

Counselling skills

Oral and tracheal suction skills

Education

Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy

Registered member of HPC

RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies Level C or equivalent experience

RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies Level D or equivalent experience

Job description

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 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

• Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registered member of HPC
• RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies Level C or equivalent experience
• RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies Level D or equivalent experience

Experience

• 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
• Experience of line management including supervision

Skills

• 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
• Counselling skills
• Oral and tracheal suction skills

Knowledge

• 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
• Understanding of local and National policy in relation to Acquired dysphagia and H&N Oncology/ENT

Additional requirements

• 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.

Clinical Manager for Speech and Language Therapy

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum pro rata