Specialist Head & Neck Speech and Language Therapist

Job overview

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHTR) is seeking to recruit a Specialist Head & Neck (H&N) Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) to join our exciting, complex and fast-paced H&N SLT service, with plans to expand regionally across the Lancashire & South Cumbria patch.  If you enjoy working within a strong MDT, with a focus on patient-centred care and want to develop or grow your H&N specialist skills - this job is for you!

RPH is a specialist tertiary Cancer Centre, and we provide both Surgical and Oncology treatment for H&N patients on the same site.  You will be expected to assess and deliver quality SLT intervention for patients with communication and swallowing problems for inpatients on our specialist oncology, ENT, maxillofacial and critical care wards, as well as outpatients across the oncology and surgical pathways.

Royal Preston Hospital provides a Laryngectomy service including Surgical Voice Restoration Clinics.  We also have established Videofluoroscopy and FEES services.

We are ideally looking for an individual who is an autonomous and competent clinician in dysphagia/communication management, who has the passion and drive to work in the clinical area of H&N cancer and be part of our expanding specialist team.  However, we have a flexible approach and would consider applicants who have transferrable skills from other relevant clinical areas.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a specialist speech and language therapy within the Head & Neck cancer Speech & Language Therapy Services
• To assess and treat adults with acquired disorders of voice, communication and dysphagia.
• To work across in-patient and out-patient pathways and proactively engage in multidisciplinary team working.
• To support the clinical lead in the day to day running of the clinical area (Head & Neck Cancer including ENT/Max surgeries, laryngectomy, SVR, oncology and late effects) through implementation of clinical knowledge, operational accountability, monitoring of service provision and supporting staff as required.
• To provide input to the teaching, research, audit and service development functions of the department.
• To actively participate in CPD to maintain and expand clinical knowledge.
• To practice at all times in accordance with the Trust values, Health Care Professions Council Code of Conduct and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists professional standards, working as part of a team to ensure that patients and relatives receive excellent care with compassion.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see separate job description and person specification for full details:

• To actively promote high quality service delivery at all times and promote Speech & Language Therapy presence in multidisciplinary team working.
• Support service development and actively participate in audit/research.
• Manage a specialist H&N Cancer caseload within the acute / out-patient setting.
• To utilise instrumental assessment to optimise diagnostics and therapeutic interventions.
• To communicate effectively with patients, carers, other disciplines, departments and organisations.
• Own appraisal and personal development plans.
• To provide education and training within the Trust as required.
• To provide mentorship and clinical supervision to junior staff