Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Head & Neck Oncology)

Closing date: 21 June 2026

Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Head and Neck Oncology

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our well established head and neck oncology team.

We are looking for a Band 6 SLT with specialist skills in the management of adults with acquired disorders of communication and swallowing, including management of patients with a tracheostomy and experience working with patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. Experience in undertaking videofluoroscopy, and knowledge of interpreting and reporting FEES, are desirable. You should have a proven track record of working as a specialist SLT within a multidisciplinary team and experience delivering training and student supervision. Community experience is also desirable.

Provide a high quality specialist service to adult in patients, out patients and community referrals mainly from ENT, Oro Maxillo Facial Surgery and Oncology departments at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals with communication and/or swallowing disorders. This includes patients undergoing laryngectomy and surgical voice restoration, and other head and neck surgery/oncological treatment.

There is a strong ethos of clinical support, supervision and development within the team. The service offers excellent supervision and peer support, with an emphasis on teamwork. Quality improvement projects and research ideas are strongly encouraged, both within SLT and in the multi professional teams. We have regular team meetings and opportunities for continuing professional development through in house training, clinical excellence networks and external courses.

This is a rotational post in which three Band 6 SLTs rotate across three positions within the Head and Neck Oncology Team. Two of the positions are based within the acute service, working collaboratively with senior therapists at the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust site to provide independent, specialist assessment and management of in patients with swallowing and communication disorders referred from ENT, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Oncology departments.

The third position is embedded within the South East Community Head and Neck Cancer Team (CHANT). Clinical supervision is provided by a Highly Specialist SLT within CHANT, with ongoing professional oversight from the Clinical Lead SLT (Oncology).

The postholder will carry out and interpret instrumental swallowing assessments, communicate findings to the MDT and use results to develop and implement specialised treatment programmes.

As a specialist resource and core member of the MDT, the postholder will contribute to Head and Neck MDT meetings and ward rounds, and where appropriate, support service development and implementation of policies and clinical initiatives.

The role also involves maintaining close liaison with referring medical teams and Clinical Nurse Specialists to ensure patients receive optimal care and support before, during, and after treatment for head and neck cancer. A high level of interpersonal and counselling skills is required to support patients in adapting to altered function, changed circumstances, and disability.

In addition, the postholder will independently manage a community caseload across multiple CHANT clinics within an MDT setting.

• Diploma/Degree leading to RCSLT licence to practice
• Registered member of HCPC
• Evidence of CPD to Specialist level
• Post graduate dysphagia training leading to independent practice
• Videofluoroscopy training including interpretation and reporting
• Head & Neck Oncology specific training

• Experience of working with adults with acquired dysphagia including tracheostomy and H&N cancer
• Experience of working as an integrated member of a multi disciplinary team
• Clinical supervision of SLT students / junior staff
• Demonstrable experience of working with a specialist caseload of patients with H&N cancer
• Independent completion, interpretation and reporting of video fluoroscopic studies
• Experience of FEES

• Able to demonstrate ability to carry out and interpret videofluoroscopy
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of SVR management
• Able to demonstrate competence in working with patients with tracheostomy
• Independent management of patients with SVR

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Salary: £47,951 to £56,863 per annum, including HCA.