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Job requirements
Requirements from the employer’s person specification. These describe the role, not your personal match.
Essential
55 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Significant proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex specialist acute and long-term airway, swallowing and communication disorders in the Head and neck population.
- Experience
Significant proven experience using and interpreting Videofluoroscopy and FEES and implementing its findings to practice
- Experience
Previous proven experience as a expert SLT
- Experience
Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with a tracheostomy and surgical voice restoration.
- Experience
Proven experience in provision of mentoring, supervision and support to other qualified specialist SLTs and provision of second opinions in this specialist field
- Experience
Experience of leadership in clinical governance and audit projects including team representation
- Experience
Experience in initiating and undertaking research, particularly in area of expertise
- Experience
Demonstrates ability to lead, plan, organise, teach and evaluate uni- and multidisciplinary teaching programmes using advanced presentation skills to a wide range of national and international audiences, including to other specialist SLTs.
- Experience
Evidence of ability to develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness in relation to SLT rehabilitation
- Experience
Experience in managing recruitment and retention of staff
- Experience
Demonstration of ability to interpret National and local policies and identify implications for SLT service and implement as appropriate
- Experience
Experience of developing strategic direction for own service area
- Experience
Evidence of training in SLT student clinical supervision and experience of supervising final year SLT students and co-ordinating student placements
- Experience
Proven experience in provision of mentoring and support to other members of the multidisciplinary team with regard to SLT rehabilitation.
- Experience
Experience in chairing operational and strategic meetings
- Communication
Highly developed written and verbal communication skills
- Communication
Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders
- Communication
Evidence of leadership and change management skills
- Personal Qualities
Ability to express reasons for desire to work in this area
- Personal Qualities
A flexible approach to the changing service needs
- Skills and Knowledge
Autonomous expert practitioner who has the proven ability to work unsupervised
- Skills and Knowledge
Effective time management and the ability to prioritise own SLT workload and that of other SLTs equitably across SLT services as required, responding to unpredictable changes in staffing levels
- Skills and Knowledge
Ability to supervise staff directly accountable to post holder
- Skills and Knowledge
An understanding of interdisciplinary issues and an ability to work efficiently and effectively in an interdisciplinary team
- Skills and Knowledge
Demonstration of professional and effective verbal and written communication skills, including excellent negotiation skills with medical consultants, patients, carers and other health professional staff in complex case management, conflict management and service delivery issues including situations where complex, sensitive and/or contentious information needs to be discussed.
- Skills and Knowledge
Demonstration of expert clinical leadership qualities e.g. management of change, clinical competence, the ability to negotiate and influence at operational and strategic levels
- Skills and Knowledge
Expert knowledge of current best evidence-based practice in SLT intervention.
- Skills and Knowledge
Proven experience in leading development of local and national policies, care protocols for head and neck speech, language & swallowing problems informed by a strong evidence base.
- Skills and Knowledge
Proven advanced skills in leading on planning, reviewing and auditing uni- and multidisciplinary service delivery.
- Skills and Knowledge
Proven ability to develop bids for resources to match service needs.
- Skills and Knowledge
Proven ability to identify areas for personal/professional development and those of other SLT staff, through highly developed reflective practice skills.
- Skills and Knowledge
A positive approach to the treatment of acute, chronic and progressive disability.
- Skills and Knowledge
Evidence of initiative in research, service development and strategic planning.
- Skills and Knowledge
Application of complex clinical reasoning to a diverse patient group, demonstrating expert analytical and diagnostic skills during assessment and intervention
- Skills and Knowledge
Ability to plan, coordinate and advise appropriate treatment and evaluate outcomes, using generic and uni-disciplinary measures, for patients with highly complex needs.
- Skills and Knowledge
Evidence of up to date Continued Professional Development including reflective practice, in-service training, any courses attended, and clinical experience gained
- Skills and Knowledge
Evidence of being self-motivated
- Skills and Knowledge
Ability to reflect critically and appraise own and other SLTs performance
- Skills and Knowledge
Evidence of expert knowledge and proven experience of multidisciplinary goal setting, team-working, key-working and integrated care pathways within the field of head and neck rehabilitation.
- Skills and Knowledge
Advanced approaches to support patients with challenging behaviours, mental health needs or in high levels of distress
- Skills and Knowledge
Evidence of effective clinical reasoning in the management of complex patients.
- Skills and Knowledge
Demonstrate expert skills in managing the needs of patients with acute and long-term disability, including the use of counselling skills as appropriate
- Skills and Knowledge
Demonstrate sensitivity to the emotional needs of patients and carers and ability to use strategies to manage emotional behaviour within acute, chronic and palliative phases of the patient’s complex condition
- Skills and Knowledge
Demonstration of an understanding of multidisciplinary team practices and an ability lead and work efficiently and effectively in a multidisciplinary team
- Skills and Knowledge
Proven ability to monitor equipment resources and identify needs for SLT team
- Skills and Knowledge
Application of Health and Safety and risk management policies
- Skills and Knowledge
Competent IT skills
- Equality and Diversity
Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the Equal Opportunities Policy
- Knowledge and Qualifications
Degree or Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
- Knowledge and Qualifications
HPC registered
- Knowledge and Qualifications
Evidence of post-graduate training modules (equivalent to Masters level) in Head & Neck (e.g. Surgical Voice restoration, Tracheostomy Care, FEES, Videofluoroscopy, including air insufflation, Advanced Dysphagia course)
- Knowledge and Qualifications
Active member of Head & Neck clinical expert network
- Knowledge and Qualifications
Evidence of management training
- Knowledge and Qualifications
Evidence of appraisal training
- Information processing (IT skills)
Advanced IT and presentation skills
Desirable
7 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Knowledge and Qualifications
Full master’s degree
- Knowledge and Qualifications
Evidence of teaching skills course
- Knowledge and Qualifications
Experience working in the NHS
- Quality and service improvement
Experience working across organisational boundaries and networks
- Quality and service improvement
Experience of financial or workforce planning
- Quality and service improvement
Experience presenting to senior operational or governance groups
- Quality and service improvement
Evidence of research activity or publication
Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Speech and Language Therapist to provide strategic, operational and clinical leadership for our specialist Head & Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapy Service at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).
This is an exciting opportunity for a clinician with extensive expertise in Head and Neck Cancer rehabilitation to lead a well-established, nationally recognised service within a highly skilled multidisciplinary team. The post holder will be responsible for the operational management and strategic development of inpatient and outpatient Head & Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapy services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe, innovative and patient-centred care.
Working closely with the head and neck cancer SLT Co-Team Leads, SLT Manager, Divisional Manager/ Chief AHP and multidisciplinary colleagues, you will provide leadership across workforce development, service performance, governance, quality improvement, transformation and service planning. Alongside your management responsibilities, you will provide expert clinical oversight and act as a specialist resource for complex clinical decision-making, supporting excellent outcomes for patients with complex communication, voice, airway and swallowing needs.
Main duties of the job
This role is ideal for an experienced Head & Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapist who is committed to delivering quality strategic and operational leadership, service innovation and delivering outstanding patient-centred care within a leading tertiary referral centre.
As the Service Lead Speech and Language Therapist, you will provide professional, clinical, strategic and operational leadership for the Head & Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapy Service across UCLH, in collaboration with the SLT Manager for the Medicine Board, working closely with the other SLT Leads at UCH.
You will lead the delivery and development of specialist inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation pathways, ensuring high-quality, safe and effective care for patients with complex communication, voice, airway and swallowing disorders.
You will be responsible for workforce leadership, service performance, governance, quality improvement, service transformation and operational planning. Working closely with consultant surgeons, oncologists and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will support the achievement of divisional objectives, operational targets and excellent patient outcomes.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
The role includes:
- Providing strategic, operational and clinical leadership for the Head & Neck Cancer Speech and Language Therapy Service.
- Leading and developing specialist inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation pathways and tertiary referral services.
- Providing expert assessment, diagnosis, treatment and consultancy for patients with highly complex communication, voice, airway and swallowing disorders.
- Leading service development, transformation projects and quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and experience.
- Supporting workforce planning, staff wellbeing, recruitment, supervision and professional development.
- Monitoring service performance, referral pathways, waiting lists and clinical governance requirements.
- Working collaboratively with consultants, nursing teams, dietitians, psychologists and allied health professionals to deliver high-quality multidisciplinary care.
- Contributing to research, audit, innovation and implementation of evidence-based practice.
- Representing the service at Trust, regional and national meetings and professional networks.
- Providing expert professional leadership and acting as a specialist resource for complex clinical decision-making.
Our organisation is driven by our strategic objectives and organisational values.
This position will suit an experienced specialist clinician with strong leadership, service development and operational management skills who is keen to contribute to innovation and transformation within Head & Neck Cancer services.
The team offers excellent professional and peer support, opportunities for collaborative multidisciplinary working and access to specialist networks across UCLH and beyond. You will join a highly skilled and supportive Speech and Language Therapy team committed to delivering outstanding clinical care, education, research and service improvement.
You will be employed in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in Agenda for Change.
This post involves working with vulnerable adults and the successful candidate will be required to undertake appropriate pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff – To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Consultant Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist – Head and Neck with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £75,328 - £86,114 per annum inclusive of HCAS (Pro rata). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 20 Sep 2026.
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