Head & Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Leicester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust in Leicester is looking for a highly skilled Speech and Language Therapist specialized in head and neck cancer. This role involves managing complex patient care and developing innovative treatment pathways in collaboration with ENT and Oncology teams. Candidates should have a relevant degree and demonstrated experience in dysphagia and clinical leadership. Full-time fixed contractual position with competitive salary and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working

Continuing professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a complex head and neck cancer caseload across the entire pathway.
• In-depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Ability to lead and develop staff, students, and other professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and professional leadership for high-quality patient care.
• Manage a highly specialist caseload of head and neck cancer patients.
• Develop innovative clinical pathways with ENT, Maxillofacial and Oncology teams.

Skills

VF assessment of swallowing

FEES level 2

Dysphagia knowledge

Surgical voice restoration competencies

Highly developed communication skills

Education

Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification

UK Registered Speech and Language Therapist

Leadership/Management training

Job description

Head & Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 18 December 2025

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to work alongside a Clinical Lead within the SLT Head and Neck Cancer service in UHL.

This is a fixed term, 12‑month post to cover maternity leave.

Our acute service has recently joined UHL and continues to establish itself as an integral part of AHP services within UHL. The service is supported by a Clinical Service Lead and a new Head of Service, and the Trust also has a Chief AHP ensuring all AHP services and professions are represented at Board and Executive Levels.

The post holder will work alongside the current Clinical Lead, managing the Head and Neck Cancer caseload, with particular emphasis on developing the skills and competencies of other team members in the instrumental assessment of swallowing and tracheostomy management.

This role provides a fantastic opportunity to work closely with colleagues within Leicester's ENT, Maxillofacial and Oncology teams to develop innovative clinical pathways to meet the needs of patients and their carers.

We are a friendly, innovative, supportive and culturally diverse team. In addition to established relationships within UHL, the team has close links with education providers, Leicestershire community service and the wider AHP community. The service provides excellent opportunities for continuing professional development. Flexible working, part-time working and job‑share will be considered.

Main duties of the job

You will provide clinical and professional leadership to ensure the delivery of high quality care to patients and their carers to ensure performance standards are met.

As an experienced and highly specialist SLT you will prioritise and manage a highly specialist caseload of head and neck cancer patients. This will include management of complex laryngectomy patients including valve changes, tracheostomy care and instrumental assessment of dysphagia (FEES and videofluoroscopy).

About us

Our new strategy, developed with support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023‑2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high‑quality care for all
• being a great place to work
• partnerships for impact
• research and education excellence

We will embed health equality in all we do – taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate
• we are proud
• we are inclusive
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached documents for a detailed job description and person specification for this post.

Person Specification – Experience

• Experience in managing a complex head and neck cancer caseload across the entire pathway
• In depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and an ability to compare relative benefits.
• Well established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the knowledge and competency in instrumental assessments, specialist client group guidelines.
• Experience of leading and developing staff, students and other professionals

Person Specification – Skills

• Competent in VF assessment of swallowing and able to mentor colleagues to achieve VF competencies
• Competent in FEES level 2
• Able to provide evidence of highly specialist knowledge of dysphagia
• Surgical voice restoration competencies and ability to manage complex valve change cases.

Person Specification – Communication and relationship skills

• Highly developed communication and presentation skills, both written and spoken
• Manage emotional consequences on self when working with clients/families/staff in distressing circumstances
• Maintains sensitivity to emotional needs of others, particularly when imparting potentially distressing information

Training & Qualifications

• Leadership/Management training
• UK Registered Speech and Language Therapist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist courses/modules/programme (Master's degree and/or equivalent) to health and social care
• Membership of relevant Clinical Education Networks aPPL
• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.

Analytical and Judgement skills

• Evidence of working with numerical data and ability to analyse, interpret and present data in appropriate forms
• Knowledge and development of relevant policies, guidelines and procedures within area of expertise
• Understands confidentiality and data protection requirements in relation to own professional practice and in the supervision of others
• In depth knowledge and experience of clinical governance

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Commitment to treat all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs

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 of Leicester NHS Trust

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum / pro rota for part time hours