Speech & Language Therapist Head & Neck

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust; Huddersfield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health service provider in the UK seeks a highly specialist Speech & Language Therapist for head and neck cancer patients. You will deliver expert assessment and rehabilitation while working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and relevant postgraduate experience. This role involves managing complex communication and swallowing disorders and providing clinical supervision to junior staff. Join us in delivering exceptional care and support to our patients.

Benefits

Supportive team environment

Access to training and development

Engagement in clinical governance

Qualifications

• Postgraduate experience working with H&N ENT swallowing disorders.
• Experience in acute and outpatient settings.
• Knowledge of oncology treatment approaches.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist assessment and rehabilitation for patients.
• Manage patients with tracheostomies and laryngectomies.
• Participate in H&N MDT clinics and consultations.

Skills

Specialist assessment

Communication skills

Swallowing disorders expertise

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Registered member of HCPC

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Go back Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Highly specialist Speech & Language Therapist Head & Neck

Closing date: 14 February 2026

The head and neck cancer MDT covers Calderdale & Huddersfield, Airedale and Bradford. The MDT meets weekly at Bradford. All major surgery takes place at Bradford Royal Infirmary, and oncology treatments are given in Leeds.

The CHFT head and neck cancer service has well established twice weekly AHP clinics which run with H&N CNS, dietitian and SLT input. The team consists of 3 CNSs, a cancer care coordinator, dietitian and part time B8a and B6 H&N SLTs. Patients are seen in the AHP clinic before they start treatment and again after treatment for rehabilitation.

In addition, there are regular laryngectomy clinics run with the ENT specialist nurses, a drop in valve troubleshooting clinic and OP SLT clinics. There is access to nasendoscopy and recording for FEES in the OP department as well as on both hospital sites.

There is a clinical support group for H&N SLT within the MDT hospitals which meets regularly, as well as a region wide H&N SLT group.

Main duties of the job

To work with our principal speech therapist and other speech therapy colleagues, to provide a highly specialist Speech & Language Therapy service for adults with communication, voice, and swallowing disorders associated with head and neck cancer, ENT conditions (including thyroid cancer), and their medical/surgical/oncological treatments. The postholder will work across the H&N cancer pathway, delivering expert assessment, intervention, rehabilitation, and multidisciplinary care.

About us

CHFT is an integrated Trust of 6,500+ colleagues providing hospital and community services to patients and communities across Calderdale and Kirklees. We are rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission, are a top performing Trust for Elective Recovery, Emergency and Cancer Care and widely acknowledged as a national digital lead when it comes to caring for people across our local and regional systems.

Our people are at the core of everything we do, hence our commitment to One Culture of Care. Our focus is to care for and support each other in order to provide outstanding compassionate care to our patients. That is why we are looking for an inclusive collaborative, creative, innovative and compassionate leader to join us in this role.

Job responsibilities

Clinical

• Deliver specialist assessment and differential diagnosis of dysphagia, dysphonia, communication disorders, and airway related issues in H&N and thyroid patients.
• Provide pretreatment counselling and posttreatment rehabilitation for patients undergoing surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy.
• Manage patients with tracheostomies and laryngectomies, including surgical voice restoration (e.g. managing voice prostheses, including changes).
• Perform instrumental assessments where appropriate (e.g., FEES, videofluoroscopy).
• Develop and implement individualised treatment plans using evidence base practice.
• Monitor progress and adjust interventions throughout the cancer and surgical pathway.
• Provide specialist advice to patients, carers, and the MDT regarding communication and swallowing management.
• Participate in H&N MDT clinics, joint consultations, AHP clinics, laryngectomy clinics and OP SLT Clinics.
• Work collaboratively with ENT and Max Fax surgeons, oncologists, dietitians, CNS teams, restorative dentistry, radiographers, and palliative care.
• Contribute to coordinated discharge planning and community follow up where required.

Leadership, Education & Service Development

• Provide clinical supervision to junior SLTs, assistants, apprentices and students.
• Lead or contribute to service development, pathway redesign, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Deliver training to nursing, medical and SLT colleagues on communication, swallowing, and airway management.
• Participate in audit, research and data collection to support service evaluation.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, timely clinical records in line with Trust and HCPC standards.
• Adhere to national guidelines, local policies and professional codes of conduct.
• Contribute to departmental meetings, governance processes and professional networks.
• Actively engage in extending knowledge and clinical experience in areas of special interest and share this learning with other therapy team members.
• Demonstrate competency in equipment use and safety under supervision.
• Ensure safe storage of equipment and compliance with health and safety standards.
• Take delegated tasks as requested by line manager including recruitment, participation in working groups and multi‑agency policy development groups.
• Participate in local or national courses relevant to specialty.
• Contribute to the SALT educational programmes for community and CHFT staff.
• Use computer software (Microsoft Word, Excel) to produce therapy care plans, reports and data spreadsheets.
• Maintain a flexible approach to the role and develop it according to need.

Accountability

• Maintain HCPC and RCSLT registration.
• Take responsibility for professional development.
• Work within the scope of professional practice.
• Attend and keep up to date with statutory and mandatory training.
• Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including patient care and supporting less experienced staff.
• Ensure regular maintenance of equipment used for patients and maintain accuracy and safety.

This job description is an outline only and is not definitive or restrictive in any way. It will be regularly reviewed and may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications / Training

• Degree or postgraduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Registered member of HCPC.

Knowledge, Experience & Expertise

• Postgraduate experience of working with clients with H&N ENT swallowing and/or communication disorders.
• Experience of working with adults in both acute and outpatient settings.
• Experience of instrumental assessment with recognised competencies.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD/ reflective practice related to specialty.
• Knowledge of oncology treatment approaches and side‑effects including immunotherapy.
• Detailed knowledge of ENT treatment approaches.
• Knowledge of evidence‑based practice related to the specialty.>
• Understanding of principles of clinical governance.
• Experience of line management including supervision.
• Understanding of local and national policy in relation to acquired dysphagia and H&N oncology/ENT.
• Advanced tracheostomy skills and counselling skills.

Communication and Relationships (including management responsibilities)

• Identify own learning needs and engage in self‑directed CPD.
• Evidence of experiential learning.
• Manage client expectations and handle complaints.
• Demonstrate reflective practice.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, national and local initiatives.
• Critical appraisalli>
• Positive attitudes and behaviours.
• Organise self and others.
• Work well in a team.
• Excellent communication skills with complex difficulties.
• Make decisions and solve problems in complex situations.
• Work in a stressful environment with emotional demands.
• Recognise own limitations and share skills with others.
• Prioritise own and others’ caseloads.
• Attendance at relevant training sessions.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust