Paediatric Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Cambridge is looking for a passionate Speech and Language Therapist to join their dedicated paediatric team. The successful candidate will independently manage a caseload, provide outpatient services, and deliver training to peers. Qualifications include a relevant degree and registration with professional bodies. This part-time role offers a competitive salary with various benefits, working in a pioneering healthcare setting. Flexible conditions are available.

Benefits

On-site leisure facilities

Flexible working arrangements

Subsidised on-site parking

Qualifications

• In-depth post-graduate experience in a specialist paediatric setting.
• Competence in managing complex communication and swallowing disorders.
• Experience in working with neonates and long-term ventilator-dependent patients.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined inpatient caseload providing expert assessment and intervention.
• Provide outpatient SLT service to various clinics.
• Engage in continuous professional development.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Good auditory and perceptual discriminatory skills

Excellent presentation skills

Negotiation and problem-solving skills

Organizational skills

Counselling skills

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree

Health Professions Council registration

Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Post-graduate paediatric feeding/dysphagia accreditation

Evidence of advanced specialist short courses in paediatric communication

Job description

Job Summary

Are you a passionate and skilled Speech and Language Therapist looking to take the next step in your career? Due to some new funding, we’re offering a fantastic opportunity to join our dynamic, friendly and highly supportive SLT service at Cambridge University Hospitals, working within our specialist acute paediatric and neonatal team.

There has never been a more exciting time to join us. We are preparing for our move into the ground‑breaking Cambridge Children’s Hospital – the first dedicated children’s hospital in the East of England. This pioneering centre will bring together mental and physical healthcare with world‑leading research, creating an inspiring environment for clinicians and families alike.

Our acute paediatric and neonatal service spans the entire hospital, giving you the chance to work closely with a wide range of specialist teams including ENT, gastroenterology, intensive care, neonatology, neurology, respiratory medicine and surgery. As an integral member of the MDT, you’ll play a key role in delivering truly holistic, patient‑centred care.

Job Responsibilities

• Independently manage a defined inpatient caseload, providing expert assessment and intervention for children with a broad spectrum of developmental and acquired communication and feeding/swallowing needs.
• Provide an outpatient SLT service to ENT clinic, Complex Airways and Long‑term Ventilation Clinic and the Cleft infant feeding service.
• Coordinate student placements and supervise SLT students.
• Deliver training and second‑opinion advice to other professionals.
• Participate in multidisciplinary working and support psychological safety culture.
• Advise on clinical governance, audits and local policy development.
• Engage in continuous professional development, including training in instrumental swallowing assessment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent.
• Health Professions Council registration.
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Post‑graduate paediatric feeding/dysphagia accreditation or equivalent.
• Evidence of successful completion of advanced specialist short courses in paediatric communication and swallowing disorders to level of masters or equivalent.
• Member of the Clinical Excellence Network.

Experience

• In‑depth post‑graduate experience in a specialist paediatric setting at a specialist level.
• Competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex communication and swallowing disorders associated with a paediatric caseload.
• Experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with complex feeding difficulties.
• Experience in the assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies.
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals.
• Experience of coordinating student placements and supervising SLT students.
• Experience of advising/providing second opinions.
• Involvement in multidisciplinary working.
• Experience in the selection, use and programming of augmentative communication systems.
• Experience of working with neonates.
• Experience in working with long‑term ventilator‑dependent patients.
• Experience in working in an intensive or critical care environment.
• Experience of working with voice disorders.
• Experience of analysis and interpretation of instrumental swallowing assessments.

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication, dysphagia and feeding relevant to paediatrics.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of advances in clinical specialism.
• In‑depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to the client group.
• In‑depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance and audit to monitor and improve service.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to the client group.
• Awareness of demand and capacity issues.
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping.
• Knowledge of the strategic direction of the local organisation.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills.
• Good auditory and perceptual discriminatory skills for analysis of speech, including phonetic transcription.
• Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member and assume leadership responsibilities.
• Ability to lead development of local policies, care protocols and team objectives.
• Ability to translate policy into practice.
• Highly developed negotiation and problem‑solving skills for management of complex cases.
• Excellent analytical and reflection skills.
• Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills.
• Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials.
• Counselling skills.
• The ability to understand and behave at all times towards patients, visitors and colleagues in accordance with the Trust values of Kind, Safe and Excellent.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a range of benefits to support good working days. These include on‑site leisure facilities, a shopping concourse, day nurseries, reduced‑cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site, free Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites, free route to and from Cambridge train station, subsidised on‑site parking for eligible staff, 24/7 hot food at a reduced cost and dedicated staff break spaces. Flexible arrangements such as part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times are also available.

Visa, Sponsorship & Professional Registration

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker Sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website and Guidance on criminal records checks for overseas applicants. Applications must have current UK professional registration.

Disclosure & 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.

Details

Date posted: 04 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part‑time, Flexible working

Reference number: 180‑B‑253185

Job locations: Addenbrookes Hospital‑Division B, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ