Speech & language Therapist

Job overview

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, renowned for world-class treatment, research and innovation. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join our dynamic Adult SLT team.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop specialist skills in oncology, particularly within Head and Neck cancer, working across the full patient pathway from pre-treatment through to rehabilitation and palliative care. You do not need previous oncology experience—we are committed to supporting the right candidate to develop into this specialist role.

You will join a highly supportive, forward-thinking team with a strong focus on clinical excellence, innovation and staff development. There are opportunities to be involved in service development, pathway redesign, and emerging areas of practice. There will also be opportunities to develop skills in instrumental swallowing assessment (e.g. VFSS).

This role is ideal for a clinician looking to build advanced skills, work within a specialist MDT, and be part of a service that is continually evolving to improve patient care.

Main duties of the job

To manage a specialist caseload of patients with communication and/or swallowing disorders across the cancer pathway To assess, diagnose and deliver evidence-based intervention for patients with complex needs, including those undergoing cancer treatment To work as an autonomous practitioner, using advanced clinical reasoning to support patient care and decision-making To work closely within the multidisciplinary team, contributing to coordinated, patient-centred care To provide education, training and support to patients, carers and healthcare professionals To contribute to service development, quality improvement and audit activity within the SLT team To support and supervise junior staff, assistants and students as appropriate To contribute to the development of innovative models of care, including digital and telehealth services

To support the ongoing development of specialist services within Head and Neck cancer care

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical duties and Responsibilities

To be a source of specialist clinical expertise within SLT in the field of oncology and to manage own caseload of patients with acquired communication and/or swallowing problems.

To effectively examine and assess patients, identify their problems and needs and ensure that patients' medical, cognitive, psychological, social, environmental and cultural factors are taken into account including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi-pathologies.

To interpret assessment findings using specialist clinical reasoning skills in order to competently plan and carry out programmes of treatment.

To be able to relate findings of assessment to presenting disease/pathology/ impairment.

To contribute to the development and delivery of instrumental swallowing assessment pathways (e.g. VFSS/FEES) in line with service development and governance frameworks.

To devise and monitor specialist programmes of care for other professionals to carry out.

To provide specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients with communication impairment and /or dysphagia.

To monitor and review care plans against outcomes and adjust in order to facilitate achievement of goals

To counsel and advise patients as required to ensure informed consent and that they are fully aware of the aims and objectives of SLT intervention.

To provide support and advice to SLTs in the region or other professionals regarding the ongoing clinical management of oncology patients who are about to be discharged.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• To use specialist clinical reasoning skills to assimilate complex information, taking into account cognitive, emotional, environmental and social issues, in order to make a clinical judgement regarding differential diagnosis and intervention.
• To refer appropriately for instrumental swallowing assessment. To interpret investigation results and communicate the information to all relevant parties.
• To formulate clear care plans based on assessment, specialist knowledge and information, gathered from a range of professionals and carers in order to select appropriate treatment options.
• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and supervisors.

Communication and Relationship Skills

• To work as part of clinical uni- and multi-disciplinary teams ensuring a well

co-ordinated care plan.

• To communicate complex information using advanced communication skills to patients, carers and families.
• To work with an interpreter as necessary to aid assessment and treatment of the patient and communication with the carer.
• To refer patients appropriately following transfer or discharge.
• To demonstrate good negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.
• To write, deliver and evaluate internal and external education and training sessions to other health care professionals, patients and carers.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• To demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to RCSLT, national and local Professional and Clinical Guidelines
• To maintain own competence to practise at a specialised level to meet professional and HCPC requirements for registration.

Freedom to Act

• To develop as a clinical specialist in oncology.
• To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries through interpretation of clinical/professional policies.
• To interpret and implement national and local policy relevant to own clinical area in consultation with wider team.
• To monitor and evaluate own specialist service delivery.
• To accept and prioritise referrals.
• To be responsible for organising and prioritising own caseload.
• To provide day-to-day clinical support and informal supervision to Band 5 SLTs, assistants and students.
• To support the development of assistant practitioners through delegation, training and competency assessment.
• To refer the patient or carer to other services as appropriate.
• To discharge patients as appropriate.

Planning and Organising Skills

• To manage and organise own workload.
• To support the development and delivery of digital and remote models of care (e.g. telehealth), ensuring safe and effective implementation.

Policy and Service Development/Implementation

• To contribute to the implementation of evidence-based clinical protocols and pathways of care in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• To provide supervision for Band 5 SLTs and students.

Responsibility for Information Resources

• To maintain up-to-date and accurate electronic case-notes in line with Trust policy.
• To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.

Responsibility for Research and Development

• To contribute to a culture of research and evidence-based practice within the team.
• To participate in research activity/audit/ data provision as required by The Trust.

Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources

• To be responsible for the security and care of the premises and equipment under one's care in accordance with Trust policy.
• To be responsible for personal safety and that of patients and personnel within the department in accordance with Trust policy.
• To adhere to the Trust and departmental health and safety policies.
• To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.
• To critically appraise patient appliances and products e.g. communication aids, thickened fluids and dietary supplements, and make recommendations on their suitability for use in the Trust taking into account their cost and effectiveness.