Principal Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 72,000; Part time

Job summary

A prestigious NHS trust in London is seeking a Principal Speech and Language Therapist focusing on ENT, Dysphagia, and Voice disorders. This role involves working collaboratively within a dynamic team, managing a complex caseload, and contributing to a multidisciplinary team approach. Candidates must hold a postgraduate qualification in Speech and Language Therapy and possess substantial experience in managing dysphagia and voice disorders. Additionally, there are opportunities for research and service development within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience working with ENT dysphagia is essential.
• Ability to independently assess, diagnose, and treat complex cases.
• Previous experience managing and supervising junior therapists preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct SLT outpatient clinics and participate in laryngology clinics.
• Work as part of the MDT and engage in clinical governance.
• Lead, plan, and evaluate multidisciplinary teaching programs.

Skills

Knowledge of IDDSI protocol

Level 3 Fees Competency

Leadership in clinical governance

Advanced presentation skills

Education

Post graduate degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Membership of HCPC

Job description

Job summary

Principal Speech and Language Therapist: ENT, Airway, Dysphagia and Voice disorders

A rare opportunity has come up due to retirement of post holder responsible for leading in our ENT Dysphagia service. We have a large, dynamic, and supportive team of 10 clinicians dealing with Voice, Dysphagia and Airway.

This is a post for someone who enjoys working in a team, taking on responsibility for a complex caseload and having opportunities for collaborative working.

You will have another Band 8a alongside you in Dysphagia, for liaison on examinations and reporting. Your role triaging, assessing, and treating a specialist caseload of patients using FEES and VDF will be supported the Band 6 and 5 therapists as appropriate.

You will also have regular input into a specialist Voice MDT with a leading laryngologist.

We meet weekly as a team either online or in person, supporting and encouraging each other. We are excited by research and opportunities to develop the service.

We have regular meetings with our laryngology team to build the service as a whole. Your contribution will be welcome.

The post will work across our outpatient SLT (ENT) Dysphagia, Voice and Airway services at the RNENTEDH. There will be opportunities for research audit and teaching dependent on the skillset and interests of the successful candidate

Main duties of the job

The post-holder is intended to work as a Band 8a Principal in SLT (ENT) working with colleagues assessing diagnosing and treating Dysphagia. In addition, they will be an equal contributor to a Laryngology MDT focusing on Voice disorders.

The post will require experience in delivering Speech and language therapy management of routine and complex ENT Voice, Dysphagia and Airway disorders. The appointee must have a commitment to high quality patient care, innovative service models, delivery of performance targets, and excellence in education/training.

1. Independently undertaking SLT ENT outpatient clinics and participating in Laryngology clinics.2. Clinics will include attending VDF at the Tower UCLH.3. Working as part of the MDT, presenting and discussing cases.4. Participating in referral triage, clinical governance and audit

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.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)

National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Details Date posted

14 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£64,156 to £71,148 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-6574

Job locations

Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, UCLH

47-49 Huntley Street

London

WC1E 6DG

Job description Job responsibilities

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

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit: Flexible working.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Job description Job responsibilities

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

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit: Flexible working.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification Knowledge and Qualifications Essential

• To have a post graduate degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent training or evidence of attendance on specialist postgraduate short courses in speech, language and swallowing disorders in ENT(Further theoretical knowledge and training to Masters Level e.g. Advanced Dysphagia, MSc modules)
• To have membership of HCPC

Desirable

• To have membership of RCSLT
• Member of CEN
• Evidence of training in SLT clinical supervision and experience of supervising junior clinicians

Experience Essential

• Experience of working with ENT dysphagia

Skills and abilities Essential

• Knowledge of IDDSI ( International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) protocol
• Level 3 Fees Competency
• At least 4 years working full time clinically in specialist field of ENT
• Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex specialist adult voice airway, and swallowing caseload
• Demonstrates ability to lead, plan, organise and evaluate uni- and multidisciplinary teaching programmes (including to other SLTs), using highly developed presentation skills, within ENT disorders
• Demonstrates advanced approaches to support patients and carers with challenging behaviours, mental health needs or in high levels of distress
• Evidence of leadership in clinical governance initiatives
• Proven experience in provision of mentoring and support to other members of the multidisciplinary team with regard to management of complex patients

Desirable

• MBSImP training
• Evidence of contribution to the development of qualified staff, allied health profession students, assistants and volunteers

Personal and People Development Essential

• Experience of managing and supervising less experienced speech and language therapists, including undertaking appraisal and setting objectives for individual staff within the service

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion Essential

• Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties

Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by: Essential

• Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control. Completing all required training and education (both via e-learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control. Including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional development and included in your annual appraisal Taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care associated infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently.

Person Specification Knowledge and Qualifications Essential

• To have a post graduate degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent training or evidence of attendance on specialist postgraduate short courses in speech, language and swallowing disorders in ENT(Further theoretical knowledge and training to Masters Level e.g. Advanced Dysphagia, MSc modules)
• To have membership of HCPC

Desirable

• To have membership of RCSLT
• Member of CEN
• Evidence of training in SLT clinical supervision and experience of supervising junior clinicians

Experience Essential

• Experience of working with ENT dysphagia

Skills and abilities Essential

• Knowledge of IDDSI ( International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) protocol
• Level 3 Fees Competency
• At least 4 years working full time clinically in specialist field of ENT
• Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex specialist adult voice airway, and swallowing caseload
• Demonstrates ability to lead, plan, organise and evaluate uni- and multidisciplinary teaching programmes (including to other SLTs), using highly developed presentation skills, within ENT disorders
• Demonstrates advanced approaches to support patients and carers with challenging behaviours, mental health needs or in high levels of distress
• Evidence of leadership in clinical governance initiatives
• Proven experience in provision of mentoring and support to other members of the multidisciplinary team with regard to management of complex patients

Desirable

• MBSImP training
• Evidence of contribution to the development of qualified staff, allied health profession students, assistants and volunteers

Personal and People Development Essential

• Experience of managing and supervising less experienced speech and language therapists, including undertaking appraisal and setting objectives for individual staff within the service

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion Essential

• Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties

Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by: Essential

• Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control. Completing all required training and education (both via e-learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control. Including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional development and included in your annual appraisal Taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care associated infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, UCLH

47-49 Huntley Street

London

WC1E 6DG

Employer's website

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, UCLH

47-49 Huntley Street

London

WC1E 6DG

Employer's website

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)