Head and Neck Cancer SLT Service Lead

Integrated Care System; Coventry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is seeking a Head and Neck Cancer SLT Service Lead. The role requires expertise in managing a specialized speech and language therapy team, focusing on both clinical leadership and patient care. Join a dedicated team delivering high-quality care across complex patient pathways with opportunities for research and professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience in head and neck cancer therapy required.
• Advanced knowledge in speech and language therapy essential.
• Ability to work autonomously and in multidisciplinary settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver a high-quality speech and language therapy service.
• Provide clinical oversight and training for therapy staff.
• Manage complex cases related to swallowing and communication.

Skills

Clinical supervision

Leadership

Communication difficulties management

Dysphagia assessment

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Head and Neck Cancer SLT Service Lead

The closing date is 30 July 2025

Are you a highly experienced SLT in the field of head and neck cancer and ready to take on a leadership role? Come and join our friendly and dynamic SLT head and neck team as our clinical lead. We work across all areas of the pathway from pre- treatment to post treatment therapy and with patients undergoing surgery and oncological treatments. We run a range of MDT clinics alongside specialist SLT clinics in SVR, FEES, Videofluoroscopy, 1:1 therapy and swallow clinic. We are supported by our B4 SLTA's who carry out a range of therapies, patient groups and dysphagia support.

We are a research and audit active team with a passion for service development and growth. We have a robust supervision and appraisal system and training and CPD are actively encouraged and supported.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

• Leading, co-ordinating and delivering a high quality, evidence-based Speech and Language Therapy service to the highly specialised and complex clinical area of head and neck cancer, requiring a highly advanced level of knowledge, skills and experience.
• Providing clinical supervision, training and support to less experienced delegated highly specialist speech and language therapists working in head and neck cancer.
• To work as an autonomous practitioner, providing comprehensive, specialist speech and language therapy assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment of adults who present with swallowing and communication difficulties.
• Work as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to team discussions and influencing decisions about patient care programmes, taking on the role of care co-ordinator where appropriate.
• To be a source of expertise and provide clinical support, where appropriate to other MDT colleagues, Health Care professionals including students and community services.
• To contribute to/lead SLT policy development within head and neck cancer Speech and Language Therapy.
• Use specialist knowledge to respond to urgent requests for input and ensure that referrals are prioritised and triaged effectively to ensure that high risk patients are seen urgently, and to expedite rapid assessment and discharge planning

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job responsibilities

• Provide clinical supervision, training & day-to-day management for Speech and Language Therapy staff who are working within head and neck cancer dysphagia and communication, ensuring that an integrated & successful therapy service is provided.
• Liaise with the relevant community head and neck teams in co-ordinating relevant patient discharges and ensuring adequate outpatient care and treatment.
• Take overall operational responsibility for the Speech and Language Therapy Service on behalf of the Speech and Language Therapy Service Manager during periods of absence.
• To deputise for the Head of Dietetics and Speech and Language Therapy as required, providing leadership and support throughout the departments, and working in collaboration with other 8as within the services.
• To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis and management of adults with dysphagia and communication difficulties within the head and neck cancer service, prioritising clinical needs to provide an effective and efficient service.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills to manage a caseload including highly complex and specialist cases, evidencing high level problem solving, reasoning skills and independence of judgement, seeking advice as appropriate.
• To develop specific care plans and provide appropriate intervention using specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management.
• To provide specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of adults with dysphagia and communication difficulties using evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
• To work closely with relatives/carers and professionals to agree effective management of dysphagia and communication difficulties if needed.
• To comply with the safeguarding policies of the Trust, ensuring all concerns, incidents and allegations are reported in line with this.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

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Experience

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Knowledge

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Skills

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Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

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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.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

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University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire