Specialist Speech and Language Therapist ENT / Head and Neck

Integrated Care System; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Cambridge is seeking a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join their team at Addenbrooke's Hospital. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing complex swallowing and communication issues, particularly in head and neck cancer. This role offers excellent support and opportunities for professional development within a multidisciplinary team. Join a committed environment focused on high-quality patient care and inclusivity.

Benefits

On-site leisure facilities

Flexible working arrangements

Reduced cost travel

Qualifications

• Experience in dysphagia, communication, and voice disorders.
• Evidence of successful completion of short courses in communication and swallowing disorders.
• Experience in multidisciplinary working.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy for ENT/Head and Neck cases.
• Manage a defined caseload, prioritizing patient needs.
• Develop specialist services for patient referrals.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Dysphagia management

Communication skills

Voice analysis

Presentation skills

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree

HCPC Registration

Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation

Job description

Go back Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist ENT / Head and Neck

The closing date is 06 August 2025

Are you an experienced Speech and Language Therapist with a strong desire to work with adults with Head and Neck cancer and voice disorders in a friendly and welcoming team?

We need you to join our established team at Addenbrooke's Hospital to provide excellent, evidence-based services within the multidisciplinary ENT and Head and Neck teams alongside highly specialist SLT colleagues.

The role will be supported by a Senior Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. You will work closely with the multidisciplinary ENT and Head and Neck teams and participate in joint Clinics. Therefore, you will need to have highly developed communication and interpersonal skills.

We are looking for skilled Therapists who are able to manage complex swallowing and communication presentations, therefore experience of independent working with adult dysphagia is essential and voice and/or cancer experience is highly desirable. In addition, experience working in an acute hospital setting in areas such as surgical voice restoration, tracheostomy, oncology, and oro-facial surgery is highly desirable, as well as previous participation in FEES and VFS assessments.

Speech and Language Therapy Services at Addenbrooke's are progressive and structured to afford excellent support and in-house training and development opportunities.

Main duties of the job

To contribute to the provision of specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) within the SLT ENT / Head and Neck Oncology service with some sessions designated to ENT.

To provide specialist input to a defined caseload, prioritising needs and managing workload independently.

To be proactive in developing specialist services offered to patients referred.

To contribute to the multidisciplinary management of patients, taking a holistic approach to care.

To cover for colleagues and line manager as required in service coordination and representation to relevant forums, e.g. Ward rounds, Clinics and multidisciplinary team meetings.

About us

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. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

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. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. 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.

Job responsibilities

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

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

This vacancy will close at midnight on 6th August 2025.

Interviews are due to be held on 12th August 2025.

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.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

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.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech and language Therapy degree or equivalent qualification
• HCPC Registration
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses in communication, voice and swallowing disorders in a range of adult acquired conditions
• Member of relevant CEN

Experience

• Relevant experience at undergraduate / post graduate level (pre-qualification)
• Post graduate experience in the areas of dysphagia, communication and voice, including assessment, treatment and management of a Head and Neck cancer / ENT caseload
• Undertaking videofluoroscopic examinations
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals
• Experience of supervising students
• Involvement in multidisciplinary working
• Experience in managing patients with tracheostomies
• Experience of Fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) examinations
• Experience of Surgical Voice Restoration

Knowledge

• Established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia and approaches to the treatment of voice disorders
• Demonstrate knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group
• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance / audit and the use of outcome measures

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 videofluoroscopic 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
• Counselling skills
• Surgical voice restoration - valve insertion and management

Additional Requirements

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

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust