Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Head and Neck

NHS; London Borough of Harrow; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS trust is seeking a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join their innovative team at Northwick Park Hospital. The role involves working closely with patients undergoing treatment for Head & Neck issues and requires a dedicated therapist committed to evidence-based practice while providing exceptional care within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Experience managing dysphagia and laryngectomy caseloads.
• Competencies in Surgical Voice Restoration and tracheostomy.
• Strong commitment to continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment and treatment for complex Head & Neck clients.
• Support the multidisciplinary team and local SLT services.
• Facilitate laryngectomy caseload management including pre-op and rehabilitation.

Skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Empathy

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent

Health Care Professions Council Licence to Practice

Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Evidence of completion of specialist short courses up to Master's degree or equivalent

Tools

Videofluoroscopy

FEES

Job description

Go back London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Head and Neck

The closing date is 10 July 2025

We are looking for an enthusiastic therapist to join our innovative department, with a reputation for excellence. We are a team of over 30 with a strong commitment to supporting the CPD of our therapists. We pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming, providing opportunities for all with an emphasis on evidence-based practice and striving to advance the evidence base.

Main duties of the job

This is a full time post within the Adult Speech & Language Therapy Head and Neck Service (covering acute ENT/OMFS inpatient wards, consultant led clinics and outpatients) which is a large surgical hub within the North West London sector with a well respected and welcoming MDT. Close working with consultants is encouraged with opportunities for surgical theatre observations available. This role plays an active part in the wider MDT and cancer networks and requires excellent communication and consultative skills to support patients throughout their cancer pathway and local SLT services.You will also provide support to our well-established SLT-led FEES and Videofluoroscopy clinics.Experience working in the field of Head & Neck is essential, with competencies in Surgical Voice Restoration and tracheostomy desirable. You will be facilitating the key working of a diverse laryngectomy caseload including pre-op, inpatient stay and rehabilitation needs (including supporting the well-established laryngectomy social group). You will be based at Northwick Park Hospital working under the supervision of our Lead therapists.

About us

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.

Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.

• Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
• St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
• Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
• Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.

We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.

Job responsibilities

To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

• oRecognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• oHealth Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
• oRegistered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• oEvidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to Master's degree or equivalent
• oRCSLT Level 3 competency in Videofluoroscopy
• oRCSLT Level 2B in FEES competency

Knowledge and experience

• oAssessment treatment and management of highly complex clients with swallow, voice, speech, language and communication difficulties, demonstrating well-established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the Head & Neck/ENT client group
• oWorking with clients with highly complex dysphagia, including critical care, pre and post surgical Head & Neck, radiation induced fibrosis
• oWorking with SVR, EEL, FEES, VFS, tracheostomy, AAC, trismus
• oExperience of participating in recruitment & selection for less experienced staff, of undertaking appraisal and planning CPD for less experienced staff, of coaching / developing reflective clinical practice and case management skills in less experienced staff.
• oWorking knowledge of the roles of other professionals in Health, Social Care and voluntary sector involved with Head & Neck cancer client group.
• oWorking independently as a speech & language therapist specialising in the adult population with relevant advanced experience post qualification in highly specialist field and experience of advising/providing second opinions
• oExperience of independently managing a laryngectomy caseload including those who have undergone surgical voice restoration
• oPrevious experience of a tracheostomy caseload

Skills, abilities and attributes

• oExcellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills, negotiation and problem solving skills
• oAbility to work in an unpredictable environment, adapt to unforeseen changes in clinical priorities within the work day, and to prioritise own workload.
• oDemonstrates ability to be a team player
• oDemonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills
• oExcellent written and spoken English with good presentation skills, both written and verbal

HEART values

• Demonstrate commitment to Trust HEART values: honesty, equity, accountability, respect, and teamwork.
• Demonstrate commitment to place Quality at our HEART

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.

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

£51,883 to £58,544 a yearper annum Inclusive ofHigh Cost Area Supplement