About this role
Job summary
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist- H&N and Voice
Part time 0.66WTE- Fixed term- 9 months.
Base: Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Band: 7
You will be part of a small, specialist team working within the H&N MDT. You will be providing voice therapy to those under ENT for benign structural voice disorders and providing services to head and neck cancer patients.
There are close links with the ENT department and the H&N service at Cambridge University Hospital. There are established FEES, VFS and Voice prosthesis and joint voice clinic services. You will also be part of a wider community of Speech and Language Therapists at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, where we provide adult Inpatient and outpatient services.
For informal enquiries please contact: Hazel Ferreira- Speech and Language Therapy Service Lead on 01480 423130 or via email [email protected].
Interviews for this role will be conducted in person to assess relevant skills effectively.
Main duties of the job
This speech and language therapy role provides highly specialist knowledge and skills in the field of ENT Voice and head and neck cancer; its surgical and oncological treatment. They work within the H&N and ENT MDT across inpatient, outpatient and clinic settings.
They provide highly specialist and bespoke clinical assessment, differential diagnosis, management and rehabilitation plans.They have highly specialist skills in instrumental dysphagia assessments (Video-fluoroscopy and Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)), tracheostomy, laryngectomy, surgical voice restoration and voice.
They use these skills for highly complex decision making, acting within own scope of practice and escalating to the Principal SLT when support is required with overall management plan.
They manage complex levels of risk secondary to dysphagia, with due consideration for risks and benefits of different treatment approaches. Their practice remains centred on the person, recognising that individuals are experts in their own lived experience.
About us
Priority will be given to colleagues identified as at risk through the Trust's redeployment process.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more details regarding this role.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Recognised Speech and Language Qualification - Degree or equivalent. Registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council. Post Graduate Dysphagia Qualification or equivalent in-house training to RCSLT Competencies or equivalent (level 7 or equivalent).
Desirable
Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Post graduate education in the assessment, treatment & management of communication and swallowing problems following H&N cancer, including tracheostomy, laryngectomy and surgical voice restoration (Level 7 or equivalent) IR(ME)R Certificate
Skills Essential
Standard key board skills & the ability to use IT packages such as Word, Outlook, Power point & Excel
Education & Qualifications Desirable
Post graduate Fibre-optic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) training to independent level in either assessor or endoscopist role. Post graduate Video-fluoroscopy (VFS) training to independent level
Experience Essential
Experience of working with a wide range of acquired communication and swallowing disorders within an acute or community setting at a specialist level.
Desirable
Experience of supervising and/ or line managing junior staff, students or assistants. Experience of running teaching sessions on communication and/or swallowing issues to other health and social care professionals. Experience of working with those with head and neck cancer and those with tracheostomy Experience of working with a wide range of complex communication and swallowing disorders secondary to benign voice/ ENT disorders and its treatments. Experience of working in joint voice clinics with ENT
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of adult speech, language and swallowing impairments to a highly specialist level. Knowledge of varying approaches to the assessment and management of patients with dysphagia including instrumental assessments (Video fluoroscopy / FEES). Knowledge of the impact head and neck cancer and its treatments may have on swallowing and communication and a thorough knowledge of the range of SLT management approaches.
Desirable
Knowledge of different learning styles and management approaches. Knowledge of different learning styles and approaches to management.
Skills Essential
Demonstrates ability to be a good team member as well as to work independently and manage own caseload
Other Essential
Able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trusts Values and Behaviours
Knowledge Essential
Understanding of the ethical issues in dysphagia management and working knowledge of the mental capacity act.
Skills Essential
Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills Good presentation skills, verbal and non-verbal
Aptitudes Essential
Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work and can define the responsibilities of others Recognises the limits of own authority within the role Seeks and uses professional support appropriately Understands the principle of confidentiality Ability to cope with emotionally demanding situations, monitor and manage own stress levels and seek support as required Strong belief in CPD and reflective practice.
Other Essential
Awareness and respect for colleagues, patients and relatives cultural, religious and emotional needs and beliefs Be prepared to travel across sites as and when required Professional appearance & behaviour
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Address Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Hinchingbrooke Park
Huntingdon
PE29 6NT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)