Highly Specialist Speech & Language therapist, Head and Neck Cancer

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Greater London is seeking a Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to focus on patients with Head and Neck Cancer. The role involves managing complex communication and swallowing disorders, contributing to multidisciplinary care, and participating in research. Ideal candidates have a BSc in Speech Pathology, relevant post-registration experience, and skills in patient management and team collaboration. A competitive salary ranging from £56,276 to £63,176 is offered.

Qualifications

• HCPC licence and BSc required.
• Post-registration experience needed in acute settings.
• Dysphagia, ENT, head and neck experience required.

Responsibilities

• Attend multidisciplinary meetings and manage patient care.
• Assess and manage dysphagia and communication impairments.
• Participate in research and deliver training.

Skills

Communication management

Counselling

Negotiation skills

Multidisciplinary team working

Time management

Supervision skills

Education

BSc in Speech Pathology or equivalent

Licence to practice as a Speech and Language therapist (HCPC)

Job description

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – Head and Neck Cancer

The closing date is 12 January 2026

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to develop and extend skills in assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders related to Head and Neck Cancer.

The post is based within the multidisciplinary Head and Neck Centre at University College Hospital. The SLT will join a team of 9 SLTs, including specialists, a Clinical Academic and a consultant speech and language therapist.

UCLH is a national tertiary referral centre for a range of specialties, including head and neck cancer and sarcoma, and also functions as a District General Hospital providing a wide range of services to the local population in Camden and Islington.

Main duties of the job

• Input into multidisciplinary meetings and clinics and management of patients undergoing surgery and/or chemo/radiotherapy.
• Assessment and management of patients with complex dysphagia, including tracheostomy management and input into instrumental assessment and therapy clinics including videofluoroscopy and FEES.
• Assessment and management of patients with complex communication impairments, including surgical voice restoration after total laryngectomy and speech rehabilitation after oral cancer treatment.
• Participation in data collection for research and audit projects in line with the Trust research and development strategy, in consultation with the Consultant Head and Neck SLT.
• Development and delivery of teaching and training, both internal and external.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education and world-class research.

Job responsibilities

For the full person specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Licence to practice as a Speech and Language therapist (HCPC)
• BSc in Speech Pathology or equivalent (including Dip. SLT)
• Member of RCSLT
• Successful completion of highly specialist postgraduate study relevant to ENT or head and neck cancer (e.g. FEES, advanced dysphagia course including videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy management, surgical voice restoration)

Experience

• Post‑registration experience within an acute setting.
• 3 years post registration dysphagia experience.
• Experience of assessing dysphagia.
• Developing dysphagia management and rehabilitation programmes.
• 2 years post registration ENT, head and neck and/or maxillofacial experience.
• Use of problem oriented medical records / SOAP notes.
• Evidence of active participation in and/or experience in teaching in one or more of the following areas: SLT in‑service training, MDT in‑service training, Student training, Internal/External courses, Joint sessions with junior staff.
• Evidence of supervision experience with one or more of the following groups: Band 5/6 SLT, SLT Assistants, SLT students.
• Post‑registration experience of videofluoroscopy.
• Post‑registration tracheostomy experience.
• Post‑registration head and neck experience.
• Post registration experience in surgical voice restoration after total laryngectomy.
• Evidence of involvement in clinical governance programmes including one or more of the following areas: Audit and clinical effectiveness, Risk management, Public patient involvement.
• Post‑registration experience of assessing and treating voice disorders.

Skills and Abilities Communication

• Demonstrates understanding of and ability to manage the needs of patients with head and neck cancer, including counselling skills as appropriate.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the emotional needs of patients and carers and ability to use strategies to manage emotional behaviour.
• Demonstrates professional and effective verbal and written communication skills, including excellent negotiation skills with patients, carers and other health professionals in complex case management, service delivery issues and conflict management.
• Demonstrates highly developed skills in multidisciplinary team working.
• Proven ability to identify areas for own personal/professional development through reflective practice skills and integrate knowledge gained into own practice.
• Effective time management and ability to prioritise own SLT workload.
• Evidence of supervision skills.

Health, safety and security

• Proven ability to identify equipment and resource needs within own area of work.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to infection control and health and safety guidelines when dealing with frequent unpleasant conditions relating to patient contact including moving and handling.

Quality and service improvement

• Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to national and local clinical guidelines with reference to assessment and rehabilitation of communication and swallowing disorders in patients with head and neck cancer.
• Proven ability to participate in the development of local policies and care protocols for rehabilitation of speech, voice and swallowing disorders, informed by a strong evidence base.
• Proven experience in planning, reviewing and auditing uni‑ and multidisciplinary service delivery.
• Proven ability to monitor equipment resources within own area of work.
• Evidence of effective clinical reasoning in the management of complex communication and swallowing disorders.
• Demonstrates knowledge of RCSLT and HPC's code of ethics and professional conduct.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate legislation affecting working practice, e.g. working with vulnerable adults and safeguarding children.

Equality and Diversity

• Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the Equal Opportunities Policy.

Personal Qualities

• Ability to express reasons for desire to work in this area.
• A flexible approach to the changing service needs.

Other requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• The ability to understand and adhere to equal opportunities policy and risk management policy.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£56,276 to £63,176 a year (inclusive of HCAS)