Advanced Speech & Language Therapist | Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in the UK is seeking a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join their Acute and Head & Neck/ENT teams. The role involves delivering therapy to adults with swallowing and communication disorders, including those affected by cancer. Exceptional communication skills and significant experience in dysphagia and related disorders are vital. The position offers flexible working and a comprehensive benefits package, contributing to a supportive clinical environment.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Must have significant experience in dysphagia, tracheostomy, and complex communication disorders.
• Desirable further experience in voice and FEES.
• Capable of working well in a team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver speech and language therapy for various disorders.
• Provide second opinions and guidance on complex dysphagia.
• Contribute to the videofluoroscopy clinic.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Experience in dysphagia

Experience with tracheostomy

Experience with complex communication disorders

Experience with laryngectomy

Videofluoroscopy skills

Voice therapy

Education

Relevant Speech and Language Therapy qualification

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 Hospitals 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

Excellent communication skills and significant experience in dysphagia, tracheostomy, complex communication disorders, laryngectomy and videofluoroscopy 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 into a developing B7 role. Just get in touch!

The broader SALT team is made up of 19 SLTs, 4 SLT Assistants and an oral health practitioner, 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 Clinical Services Division and is co‑located with Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Dietetics on both sites, making easy work of joint working.

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 an 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.

We’ve 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 has been agreed.

This advert closes on Monday 22 Dec 2025