Job summary
Employer heading
Specialist Head and Neck Speech and Language Therapist
Band 6
Job overview
Join our small and friendly Head and Neck SLT Team!
We are looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Speech and Language Therapist to help us deliver excellent care to those who rely on our services.
We take pride in the work we do to support our community of patients with head and neck cancers, working collaboratively with others to provide great care to our patients on every step of their journey. From pre-surgical consultations to post-treatment rehabilitation, we're there, offering specialised care tailored to each patient’s needs. We provide a specialist service to laryngectomy patients and we carry out regular videofluoroscopy and FEES exams.
As part of the broader adult SLT service, you'll be joining a team that fosters growth and positivity. Across our three main hospital sites, we offer a range of specialist inpatient services as well as the outpatient videofluoroscopy service to east Kent residents.
While relevant experience is ideal, we welcome applications from those wishing to develop in this specialist area. We are dedicated to continuous learning and development, offering ample support and training opportunities to help you thrive in your role.
With the coast and beautiful countryside in easy reach, east Kent has a wonderful mix of ‘surf and turf’. Whether it’s big stores, the beach, great pubs and theatres, vineyards or castles you’re after, we have it all! With fantastic schools and easy access to London and Europe it’s a great place to live and work.
Main duties of the job
To provide specialist intervention to outpatients who have swallowing and communication difficulties associated with head and neck cancer and its treatments, including patients who have a tracheostomy and patients who have had a laryngectomy.
To provide a specialist service to head and neck cancer patients undergoing oncological treatments and with those patients who have completed their treatment (oncological and surgical, including patients who have had a laryngectomy) for ongoing support and rehabilitation.
Working for our organisation
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five
hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in ‘Documents to download’.
If you have further queries please don’t hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
Person specification
Qualifications and training
Essential criteria
- Holds a diploma/degree in Speech and Language Therapy with appropriate HCPC Registration.
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
- Evidence of completion of post-graduate RCSLT dysphagia competencies/or equivalent.
Desirable criteria
- Competencies in tracheostomy, laryngectomy, FEES or videofluoroscopy
Clinical skills and experience
Essential criteria
- Independently able to manage a busy caseload.
- Independent in dysphagia management.
- Developing specialist skills in the assessment and management of people with complex dysphagia.
- Experience within specialist area of head and neck cancer.
- Highly developed negotiating and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills.
- Experience of working with patients who have had a laryngectomy
- Experience of providing supervision/mentoring to students/junior colleagues.
- Basic counselling skills.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a hospital setting.
- Experience of working in an outpatient setting.
- Experience of videofluoroscopy/FEES.
- Experience of working with patients who have a tracheostomy.
- Developing specialist skills in the management of people who have had a laryngectomy.
- Experience of delivering training.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Developing knowledge of the impact of head and neck cancers and their treatments.
- Broad knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to the patient group.
- Developing an evidence-based knowledge of treatment techniques and strategies relevant to the patient group.
- Knowledge of National Standards relevant to Head and Neck Cancer.
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals within the Head and Neck MDT.
Personal / professional attributes
Essential criteria
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well within a team.
- Demonstrates behaviours which underpin the Trust’s values: • Compassionate: treats people with kindness and respect
- Demonstrates behaviours which underpin the Trust’s values: • Calm: stays calm, approachable and professional
- Demonstrates behaviours which underpin the Trust’s values: • Collaborative: works with others to deliver the best possible care
- Demonstrates behaviours which underpin the Trust’s values: • Honest: does the right thing
- Demonstrates behaviours which underpin the Trust’s values: • Accountable: takes personal responsibility for helping to deliver the best care
- Demonstrates behaviours which underpin the Trust’s values: • Inspiring: motivates others
Other requirements
Essential criteria
- Awareness of Trust Vision, Mission and Values
- Able to travel between sites if needed.
Desirable criteria
- Membership of relevant CENs
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sarah Hale / Sarah Stevens
- Job title
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01227 783111
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