Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (H&N/Voice)

NHS; Chigwell; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organisation in Chigwell is seeking a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join their team. The successful candidate will manage patients with head and neck cancer and voice disorders, contributing to multidisciplinary care. This role includes leading clinics and providing clinical support, with a focus on innovative service delivery. Competitive salary with opportunities for professional development and CPD support.

Benefits

High Cost Area Supplement

Comprehensive induction training

CPD support

Qualifications

• Significant relevant experience at undergraduate/post graduate level.
• Knowledge of acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
• HCPC Licence to Practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage and diagnose a caseload of clients with head and neck cancer.
• Participate in the delivery of Videofluoroscopy & FEES Clinics.
• Provide supervision and leadership to junior staff.

Skills

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Clinical reasoning

Empathy

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification

Post graduate training in dysphagia

NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy

Job description

Job Summary

We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join our innovative service in community head & neck cancer and voice disorders.

The NELFT Speech and Language Therapy service supports adults with acquired disorders in Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge. The successful candidate will join a supportive and innovative team with established clinical specialists across multiple fields, including stroke, progressive neurology, head and neck cancers, and voice disorders.

Competencies and experience in managing surgical voice restoration are essential. The service offers weekly community videofluoroscopy and FEES clinics, and a monthly joint voice/dysphagia clinic with ENT. Competencies in these procedures would therefore be desirable. All staff are encouraged to lead quality improvement projects. In 2024, we were highly commended at the HSJ Awards for our community laryngectomy service development.

Clinical support will be provided by the Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapists in head and neck/ENT and adult neurology. CPD is actively supported through regular supervision, appraisals, and excellent training opportunities. Members of the team are supported to get involved in CENs and research.

Main Duties

• Independently manage and differentially diagnose a caseload of clients with head and neck cancer, voice and complex dysphagia needs.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary support for clients with a range of swallow and communication difficulties.
• Provide feedback, advice and training to family members, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team regarding communication needs and swallowing difficulties and strategies to facilitate development.
• Deliver a comprehensive, holistic service to patients undergoing laryngectomy, including the provision of SVR management.
• Participate in the delivery and development of the Videofluoroscopy & FEES Clinics.
• Provide highly specialist clinical/technical skills for interpretive assessment techniques, e.g. reading videofluoroscopic / FEES examinations.
• Participate in the delivery and development of joint complex voice and dysphagia clinics with ENT and Gastroenterology colleagues.
• Work with colleagues in clinical psychology in the management of patients with voice disorders and head & neck cancer.
• Provide supervision and leadership to junior speech and language therapy staff in the areas of dysphagia, head and neck cancer and voice disorders within NELFT London.

About Us

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period.

Starting with NELFT

NELFT places a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 p.a. pro rata for part time).

Job Details

Date posted: 05 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year pa pro rata (plus HCAS)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number: 395-HV152-25

Job location: Hainault Health Centre, Manford Way, Chigwell, IG7 4DF

Person Specification

Essential

• To be able to travel efficiently throughout the area.
• Basic awareness of IT.
• Demonstrate clear clinical reasoning based on evidence based practice.
• Able to use own initiative.
• Organise and manage own caseload.
• Allocate duties and supervise therapy assistants.
• Good supervision skills.
• Formulate care programmes, identify goals by organising and prioritising.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy.
• Negotiation, problem solving concentration, analytical and reflection skills.
• Written and verbal presentation skills.
• Present information in clear and logical manner.
• Ability to be a good team member.

Knowledge

• An awareness of NHS priorities, NHS Plan, NSF and clinical governance priorities.
• Knowledge of acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
• Knowledge of assessment tools, treatment techniques and therapeutic interventions.
• Awareness of the roles of other professionals.
• Awareness of standards of record keeping.
• Understanding of safeguarding.

Experience

• Significant relevant experience at undergraduate/post graduate level.
• Working collaboratively with carers and other professionals.
• Experience of working in a multi-agency and/or multi-disciplinary team.
• Working with clients who have a range of communication, trismus and swallowing needs resulting from head and neck cancer.
• Planning and delivery of training to other professionals.
• Working with clients who have clinical voice disorders.
• Experience of independently managing surgical voice restoration.

Desirable

• Awareness of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
• Experience of videofluroscopy clinic.
• Experience of running a FEES clinic.
• Experience of running joint voice clinic with ENT.
• Experience of independently managing people with a tracheostomy.
• Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy.
• Competencies in FEES, videofluroscopy and tracheostomy.

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent.
• HCPC Licence to Practice.
• Post graduate training in dysphagia.
• Competencies in working with laryngectomy including SVR.
• Show active interest in CPD in line with RCSLT guidelines.

Trust Values

• Demonstrates trust values.

Other Requirements

Disclosure and Barring Service Check required. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered. Applicants must be able to provide a criminal record certificate for each country of residence as per UK Visas and Immigration guidelines.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer Details

Employer: NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address: Hainault Health Centre, Manford Way, Chigwell, IG7 4DF

Website: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/