Specialist Speech-Language Therapist - Head & Neck/ENT

Are you passionate about providing a high-quality service working with Head and Neck cancer patients as a Specialist Speech & Language therapist? Would you enjoy the opportunity to use and further develop your dysphagia rehabilitation, laryngectomy surgical voice restoration (SVR), advanced videofluoroscopy and FEES skills in a supportive environment? Are you interested in strengthening your leadership skills? If so, this is a chance to develop your career in a prestigious London trust with access to highly skilled clinicians and multiple learning opportunities.

We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and motivated Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) with expertise in Head & Neck Oncology to join our Speech and Language Therapy team at Charing Cross Hospital and a team of over 40 Trust-wide Adult SLTs, for a one-year fixed term contract (0.6 WTE). Additional hours via bank or future FTC may also be available.

As a valued member of the multidisciplinary team, you will provide a highly specialist service to inpatients and outpatients at any stage of their oncology treatment pathway. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are provided on site, and we participate in weekly multidisciplinary clinics including Joint Head & Neck clinic, Radiotherapy clinic and a CNS/AHP-led Pre-treatment clinic.

• To independently manage a complex and highly specialist caseload of inpatients and outpatients within the speciality of Head & Neck Oncology/ENT presenting with communication and swallowing impairments.
• To provide a highly specialist evaluation, differential diagnosis and advice for adults with communication and swallowing impairment in the field of Head & Neck Oncology/ENT.
• To devise, develop and deliver highly specialist training and teaching in area of ENT/Head & Neck Oncology to speech and language therapists and multidisciplinary colleagues at local and regional level.
• To use evidenced based knowledge to target training appropriately to the needs of the multidisciplinary team and speech and language therapy colleagues.
• To demonstrate empathy with patients, carers, families and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly when ability to communicate is compromised by disabilities relating to Head & Neck Oncology/ENT.
• To participate in and develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness.

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.

Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview. .

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

For both overviews, please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

• Degree accredited by Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Current HCPC registration as a speech & language therapist
• Professional portfolio demonstrating experience and achievements
• Registration with RCSLT

• Evidence of specialist clinical practitioner activities with head & neck and ENT at post-graduate level to include:
• Specialist clinical experience in assessment, differential diagnosis and management of complex communication and swallowing disorders in head and neck cancer patients.
• Specialist experience in the use of instrumental diagnostic tools (e.g. videofluoroscopy, FEES, air insufflation) to support diagnosis and management of patients presenting with complex swallowing and communication issues secondary to H&N cancer.
• Specialist experience in the assessment and management of complex tracheostomy patients
• Specialist experience in communication, swallow and pulmonary rehabilitation after laryngectomy, including surgical voice restoration.
• Experience of working in specialist multidisciplinary teams in the area of head & neck and ENT
• Evidence in devising and delivering local training programmes in the area of head & neck and ENT.
• Evidence of participation in clinical governance activities and audit.
• Experience in devising local competencies and standards of care within the area of head & neck and ENT.
• Experience working within the NHS
• Lead SLT Videofluoroscopic competencies Level 2 FEES Endoscopist and Assessor competencies
• ICL Advanced Laryngectomy course certificate

• Competent in Windows-based computer applications, i.e. Word, Outlook email, Excel, PowerPoint
• Ability to make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment
• Ability to negotiate with patient/carer around individual case management
• Ability to manage time and workload effectively with support
• Ability to seek guidance when faced with a situation beyond clinical experience/ competence
• Ability to work as a team and also using own initiative
• Good oral and written presentation skills
• Ability to communicate complex condition-related information from assessment to patients, carers and other professionals
• Demonstrates highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment and management of patients e.g. phonetic transcription.
• Ability to overcome barriers to understanding due to health, cultural or social situations
• Knowledge of national policies which impact on SLT service provision.

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.

£58,133 to £65,261 a yearpa inclusive pro rota