Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Head and Neck

NHS; Southampton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Southampton is seeking a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work in Head and Neck oncology. You will collaborate with medical teams, provide assessments, and support patients with swallowing and communication challenges. Ideal candidates have experience in acute hospitals and possess a degree in Speech and Language Therapy. The role offers competitive pay and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience with complex communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Experienced in representing SLT in an MDT setting.
• Ability to communicate complex information fluently.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of the Head and Neck SLT team.
• Provide communication and swallowing assessment to patients.
• Support the SLT team in leading non-clinical tasks.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Record Keeping

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Education

Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy

HCPC registered speech and language therapist

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Head and Neck

The closing date is 12 November 2025

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

We are delighted to be advertising this exciting and rewarding role in Head and Neck oncology. This post is ideal for a patient-centred, friendly and enthusiastic SLT who is keen to work in a stimulating environment alongside skilled colleagues from a range of professions.

UHS offers fantastic training and development giving you the best possible opportunities to achieve the career you want. Development of our staff is central to the delivery of high quality, safe and effective care. We can offer opportunities to develop within a supportive environment.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities

Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore whats possible for the role and service.

Main duties of the job:

Key Responsibilities:

If you are the successful candidate, you will: Work as part of the Head and Neck SLT team, including SLT led clinics, MDT clinics, acute wards and outpatient treatment areas. Provide regular communication and swallowing assessment and therapy to patients with complex head and neck oncology diagnoses. Continually represent the SLT service within head and neck oncology. Be innovative in your approach to patient care and service delivery, whilst being part of MDT service initiatives. Support patients to have instrumental assessment of their swallowing. Offer training and support to MDT members. Support the SLT team in leading or taking on non-clinical tasks e.g. student coordination, clinical effectiveness.

What experience/skills are neededIf you are:

Experienced in working with patients with complex communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of head and neck cancer diagnoses, Experienced or interested in supervising and educating others, Experienced in representing SLT in an MDT setting, and effectively advocating for patients needs, Experienced in working in an acute hospital, and Experienced in planning, delivering and evaluating clinical audits, service evaluations and/or research,

we would love to hear from you!

Person Specification

Trust Values

• Patients first
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC (Health and Care professions Council) registered speech and language therapist
• Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing CPD and development in relevant areas
• Ability to communicate complex information fluently, confidently and effectively to a diverse range of people: e.g. with patients, carers, managers and other health care professionals
• Ability to demonstrate a practical and sensitive approach and flexibility in working style when applying clinical judgement to complex clinical issues
• Ability to create rapport and professionally manage relationships with colleagues, patients and carers and the emotional challenges this presents
• Demonstrate a holistic approach to treatment
• Evidence of ability to cope with unpredictable events and varying clinical and non-clinical work pressures
• Demonstrate ability to independently plan and prioritise own workload in order to meet deadlines
• Evidence of highly developed auditory and perceptive skills
• Experience of audit/project work
• Experience mentoring or supervising speech and language therapy assistants or junior staff
• Experience and involvement with speech and language therapy student training
• Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and relevant specialist groups
• Ability to cover "out of hours" commitments on agreed occasions

Skills and competencies

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Record Keeping
• Interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills

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.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearPer Annum (PA) Pro Rata