Principal Speech and Language Therapist Operational Lead

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre seeks a Speech & Language Therapist for a key role focusing on Head and Neck oncology patients. This dynamic position involves clinical and operational leadership, with responsibilities across various healthcare settings. Ideal candidates will possess advanced clinical skills, a commitment to patient-centered care, and the ability to lead and train a multi-disciplinary team. Join a dedicated team committed to excellence in patient outcomes and research.

Qualifications

• Advanced clinical skills in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Experience managing complex dysphagia cases.
• Excellent knowledge of Head and Neck cancer treatments.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and operational leadership in Head and Neck cancer services.
• Deliver and train a growing team in advanced SLT interventions.
• Work collaboratively across multiple organizations to optimize patient care.

Skills

Leadership

Oncology Knowledge

Compassion

Education

Speech and Language Therapy degree

Dysphagia Qualification or experience

Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council

Job description

Job summary

Speech & Language Therapy - An exciting new opportunity working with patients with Head & Neck Cancer and oncologyTravel is required across sites

This post is a newly developed role, having clinical and operational leadership responsibilities for the CCC site. The service delivers Head and Neck cancer and oncology services which are integrated across the oncology (CCC) surgical (Aintree) and community pathways. The Liverpool Head and Neck centre is a world class collaboration of key stakeholders, ensuring that patient care and outcomes are embedded in research & education. You will be part of a newly developing and innovative regional integrated team working across all aspects of the patient's pathway in surgery and oncology, in hospital, outpatient and community settings.

Main duties of the job

We are a growing service, committed to reducing health inequalities in Head and Neck cancer across Cheshire and Merseyside. This post is a clinical and operational lead role. We are seeking someone with advanced clinical and leadership skills to deliver and train a growing team, alongside the SLT leadership team in CCC and Aintree/LUHFT.

All of the SLT staff are employed by different organisations, with a commitment to work across boundaries to ensure that patients are seen by the right clinician at the right time, delivering what patients need, rather than them having to fit in to our established services. Working across organisations requires a flexible and open-minded approach to delivering care, ensuring that the patient's needs and wishes determine how their SLT intervention is offered. The integrated SLT H&N team are actively involved in research, having close links to the University of Liverpool and other national centres.

We are a proactive & dynamic team and we welcome fresh ideas, perspectives and skills. We will provide training and support where needed. It is essential that team members bring positive energy, enthusiasm, a commitment to improving patient care, a mind-set of compassion and the courage to work around system obstacles in order to do the 'right thing' for patients. If you work well in a team, whilst also being self-motivated, then we are looking for you to join us! We would welcome all enquiries and encourage a visit

About us

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is one of three specialist cancer centres in England. With 1,800 specialist staff and three sites, we are one of the largest NHS providers of non-surgical cancer treatment. The Trust has a unique multi-site care model serving the 2.4 million population across Cheshire and Merseyside and is consistently rated by patients as one of the best performing hospitals.

Our vision is to not only maintain this level of commitment to excellence but to work with our academic and healthcare partners across the region to ensure care, treatment and patient outcomes continuously improve in the future. We are very proud of all our expert and loyal staff and we welcome people who share the collective aim of delivering excellence in everything that we do.

Our values represent who we are and what we believe in. They define how we act to deliver the best possible care for our patients and shape The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre as a great place to work.

We are -

• Kind
• Empowered
• Responsible
• Inclusive

Vision, mission and values :: The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre

Details Date posted

06 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

158-25-090-SLT

Job locations

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - Liverpool

65 Pembroke Place

Liverpool

L7 8YA

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details about this exciting role on offer at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details about this exciting role on offer at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Speech and Language Therapy degree or recognized equivalent.
• Registration as a SLT with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Dysphagia Qualification or experience

Desirable

• Registration with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Masters degree or working towards a Masters qualification.

Knowledge and Expertise Essential

• Excellent knowledge of oncology treatments
• Excellent knowledge of the treatment of patients with Head and Neck cancer and complex neurological impairment.
• Excellent knowledge & skills of surgical and oncology treatments and impacts on patients
• Excellent knowledge and skill in VFES
• Excellent and demonstrated leadership skills

Desirable

• Experience of managing patients with acquired brain tumours

Experience Essential

• Relevant specialist experience in the management of patients with Head and Neck and Neurology Cancers
• Experience of managing own caseload of complex dysphagia

Desirable

• Experience of management of tracheostomies
• Experience in the management of laryngectomies including surgical voice restoration in relation to voice and swallow
• Experience of voice disorders and management

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Speech and Language Therapy degree or recognized equivalent.
• Registration as a SLT with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Dysphagia Qualification or experience

Desirable

• Registration with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Masters degree or working towards a Masters qualification.

Knowledge and Expertise Essential

• Excellent knowledge of oncology treatments
• Excellent knowledge of the treatment of patients with Head and Neck cancer and complex neurological impairment.
• Excellent knowledge & skills of surgical and oncology treatments and impacts on patients
• Excellent knowledge and skill in VFES
• Excellent and demonstrated leadership skills

Desirable

• Experience of managing patients with acquired brain tumours

Experience Essential

• Relevant specialist experience in the management of patients with Head and Neck and Neurology Cancers
• Experience of managing own caseload of complex dysphagia

Desirable

• Experience of management of tracheostomies
• Experience in the management of laryngectomies including surgical voice restoration in relation to voice and swallow
• Experience of voice disorders and management

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

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHSFT

Address

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - Liverpool

65 Pembroke Place

Liverpool

L7 8YA

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHSFT

Address

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - Liverpool

65 Pembroke Place

Liverpool

L7 8YA

Employer's website

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