Specialist Speech & Language Therapist -Voice/Head & Neck | Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Southend University Hospital NHS Trust; Basildon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS healthcare provider in Basildon is seeking a qualified Speech and Language Therapist to provide specialized care for patients with Head & Neck Cancer and voice disorders. This role involves working in a multidisciplinary team, offering assessments and therapeutic interventions, while also participating in audits and research projects. Candidates should have a passion for ongoing professional development and teamwork. Apply before September 25, 2025.

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist with specialization.
• Experience with teaching/training other staff is desirable.
• Willingness to participate in supervision, appraisal, and ongoing CPD.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and therapeutic intervention for Dysphonia.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality care.
• Participate in team meetings, audits, and research projects.

Skills

Specialist skills in Head & Neck Cancer

Enthusiasm to develop further

Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team

Education

Qualified Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist who has, or wants to develop, specialist skills in Head & Neck Cancer and Voice. Within our Head & Neck service, we work across all areas of the pathway from pre-treatment to post-treatment therapy. We run 2 x weekly AHP clinics jointly with our CNS and specialist dietitian, and also provide individual therapy clinics. For our Dysphonia service, this post is a core part of service provision, given jointly with our Highly Specialist SALT and closely aligned with our ENT colleagues.

At MSEFT Basildon, we aim to be an innovative, supportive and patient-focused SLT service, providing opportunities for professional and personal growth. Primarily serving an acute in-patient caseload, we are also commissioned to provide specialist assessment and intervention to a designated caseload of out-patients including MND and complex degenerative neurological conditions, plus ENT, Respiratory and Gastroenterology referrals, where SALT assessment may form part of their diagnostic pathway.

We have a robust supervision and appraisal system, and training and CPD are actively encouraged and supported, including bi-monthly 'lunch & learn' sessions/Journal Club. As MSEFT is a member of 3 Acute Trusts in 2022, we have access to other specialists across 3 sites, and opportunities for shadowing and peer support/discussions are encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention for people with Dysphonia or for patients with a range of communication and swallowing disorders arising from Head & Neck Cancer and its treatment.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to ensure evidenced-based and high-quality care for patients with Head & Neck cancer and Voice disorders.
• Participate in team meetings, audits, and research projects.
• Provide training and clinical support to the wider SLT team and other healthcare professionals, as relevant to your skill level.
• Offer expertise across service areas, including acute inpatient caseloads and designated outpatient caseloads.

Requirements / What you will bring

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist with specialist skills in Head & Neck Cancer and Voice; enthusiasm to develop further.
• Ability to work within an MDT and to contribute to audits, research, and service development.
• Willingness to participate in supervision, appraisal, and ongoing CPD; experience with teaching/training other staff is desirable.

About the role and opportunities

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Are you looking for an exciting Therapy role using your unique qualities? We want to hear from you. For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description. We look forward to your application.

This advert closes on Thursday 25 Sep 2025