Specialist Speech And Language Therapist

Cambridge University Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust; Cambourne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site leisure facilities

Discounted Stagecoach bus travel

Free Park and Ride access

Parking subsidy for staff

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, is recruiting a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for the Adult Acute SLT team. The role is a permanent, full-time post (37.5 hours per week) in a major teaching hospital with opportunities to develop specialist practice within a multidisciplinary environment.

You will provide expert input for dysphagia and acquired communication disorders, contribute to teaching and governance, and support service development

Qualifications

• Recognised SLT degree or equivalent.
• HCPC registration is required.
• RCSLT membership is desirable.
• Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent.
• Specialist short courses in neurology-related communication and swallowing.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist SLT services within the Adult Acute Service and manage a defined caseload.
• Work autonomously within professional standards and participate in MDT activities.
• Contribute to service development and cover colleagues; attend ward rounds, clinics and meetings.
• Supervise students and contribute to audits and clinical governance.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Video fluoroscopic examinations

Lead on service projects

Tracheostomy management (Desirable)

Education

Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent

HCPC Registration

RCSLT member

Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation

Specialist neurology courses in communication & swallowing

Job description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our welcoming Adult Acute Speech and Language Therapy team at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate SLT with relevant post-registration experience in adult dysphagia and acquired communication disorders. You will bring sound clinical reasoning, effective multidisciplinary working skills and a commitment to evidence-based, person-centred care.

This role offers the opportunity to work within a major teaching hospital and regional specialist centre, alongside experienced clinicians and a broad range of acute specialties. It would suit an SLT who enjoys the pace and variety of acute care and is ready to develop their specialist practice while contributing positively to the team.

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, comprising Addenbrooke's and the Rosie Hospitals, is one of the largest and busiest teaching trusts in the country and has a national and international reputation for clinical excellence.

This is a permanent, full-time post of 37.5 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

You will contribute to the provision of specialist SLT services within the Adult Acute Service and provide specialist clinical input to a defined caseload, prioritising clinical need and managing their workload independently.

You will work autonomously within professional and local standards, applying specialist knowledge and evidence-based practice. Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, they will take a coordinated and holistic approach to patient care.

You will contribute proactively to service development and provide cover for colleagues as required. They may also support service coordination and represent SLT at ward rounds, clinics and multidisciplinary meetings. The role includes contributing to student supervision, teaching, audit and clinical governance.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

This vacancy will close at midnight on the 1st November 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on the 9th November 2026.

Benefits to you

• At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries.
• Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site.
• Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals.
• We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
• CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Essential qualifications

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
• HCPC Registration
• RCSLT member
• Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses in communication and swallowing disorders in neurology

Desirable qualifications

• Member of relevant RCSLT CEN(s)

Essential experience

• Relevant experience at undergraduate/post graduate level (pre-qualification)
• Post graduate experience in the areas of dysphagia and communication, including proven independent assessment, treatment and management of a neurological caseload
• Undertaking video fluoroscopic examinations
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals
• Experience of supervising students
• Involvement in multidisciplinary working

Desirable experience

• Experience in managing patients with tracheostomies
• NHS Experience

Essential knowledge

• Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia.
• Demonstrate knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group
• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance / audit and use of outcome measures
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping

Essential skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Good auditory and perceptual discriminator skills for analysis of voice and speech, including phonetic transcription
• Ability to analyse and interpret video fluoroscopic examinations
• Good presentation skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member
• Negotiation and problem solving skills
• Good analytical and reflection skills
• Prioritisation and organisational skills
• Demonstrates ability to lead on service projects
• Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials

Desirable skills

• Counselling Skills

Essential additional requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of kind, safe and excellent.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.