Job Description

We are looking for a highly specialist band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join our ENT /HNC SLT Service. This is an exciting time to become part of our forward-looking, supportive team. If you are looking to take the next step of your career in ENT /HNC SLT, we would love to discuss how you could join us and take advantage of the considerable opportunities for specialist training and professional development alongside our clinical experts. We offer flexible working patterns in a large teaching hospital.



This is a vacancy for a part-time (0.8WTE) substantive band 7 highly specialist SLT post working primarily within our ENT Laryngology service. You will ideally have recent relevant experience and demonstrate highly specialist clinical skills and decision-making in the management of complex voice, communication and swallowing problems, and an enthusiasm to learn. The successful applicant will access to regular mentoring, training and clinical supervision. You will join our established and supportive SLT HNC team in an innovative, research-active department'.

Please note:

candidates should also refer to the full job description and person specifications attached to this vacancy advert



1. independently provide a highly specialist SLT assessment, diagnosis, intervention and advice service to patients with voice, swallowing and communication impairments within the ENT pathways, as well as services to families, support staff and professionals



2. To undertake, interpret, and act on findings of diagnostic assessments (EEL; FEES; Video fluoroscopy x-ray swallow) in line with RCSLT competency and clinical banding



3. To provide clinical opinion and recommendations for complex patients in joint ENT Consultant /SLT outpatient-clinics, including joint voice clinics, neuro-laryngology clinics, and complex airway clinics, with access to regular supervision from pathway leads



4. To be skilled in managing a range of clinical voice/vocal fold movement disorders; using and interpreting instrumental assessment procedures (endoscopic evaluation of larynx; acoustic assessments); clinical evaluation scales and outcome measures; and with an established knowledge of a broad range of therapeutic interventions related to the specialist client group including direct and indirect voice therapy, counselling approaches, and laryngeal manipulation.



The SLT ENT/HNC Service sits within the Surgery Division of Nottingham University Hospitals Trust and is a stand-alone SLT service. We benefit from strong HNC / ENT Surgical Division leadership and support at NUH as well as close links with other SLT Services within the hospital and across Nottinghamshire.



With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!



We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

Please note :

Candidates should familiarise themselves with the separate job description and person specification for this role and make specific reference to these in their application



Key job responsibilities



Service Delivery



1. To prioritise and manage a large and diverse caseload ensuring practice is in line with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' Position Papers and Quality Guidelines, and the HCPC professional regulations.



2. To develop, deliver and monitor highly specialist interventions for patients within the defined pathway, encompassing all aspects of complex diagnosis and management for effective swallowing and communication



3. To independently manage and prioritise own complex caseload in a highly specialist area.



4. To work collaboratively with a variety of different agencies/professionals across primary and secondary care; social services and the Voluntary sector



5. To be responsible for planning, provision, monitoring and evaluation of programmes of learning and development to other professionals within specialist clinical area



6. To represent the Speech and Language Therapy service at agreed forums as delegated by ENT SLT clinical lead



Clinical Practice



1. To independently provide a highly specialist SLT assessment, diagnosis, intervention and advice service to patients with voice, swallowing and communication impairments within the ENT pathways, as well as services to families, support staff and professionals



2. To undertake, interpret, and act on findings of diagnostic assessments (EEL; FEES; Videofloroscopy x-ray swallow) in line with RCSLT competency and clinical banding



3. To provide clinical opinion and recommendations for complex patients in joint ENT Consultant /SLT outpatient-clinics, including joint voice clinics, neuro-laryngology clinics, and complex airway clinics, with access to regular supervision from pathway leads



4. To be skilled in managing a range of clinical voice/vocal fold movement disorders; using and interpreting instrumental assessment procedures (endoscopic evaluation of larynx; acoustic assessments); clinical evaluation scales and outcome measures; and with an established knowledge of a broad range of therapeutic interventions related to the specialist client group including direct and indirect voice therapy, counselling approaches, and laryngeal manipulation.



5. To take responsibility for managing patients with swallowing disorders, recognising complications of aspiration, and compromised nutrition and hydration, working closely with multi-professional agencies including primary care and palliative/end of life teams to ensure best clinical practice and patient safety



6. To develop skills in the assessment and management of complex surgical airway patients including voice and swallowing assessment and management pre-and post surgery, with access to supervision from pathway leads



Clinical Leadership



1. Provide clinical training and supervision to junior SLT staff, SLT students and SLT assistant/technical instructor.



2. To delegate to assistant SLT, administrative and nursing staff.



3. To identify and contribute to team objectives reflecting local and national health and social care priorities



4. To implement national and local policy relevant to specialist clinical area, ensuring service is consistent with these, and contributing to strategic planning



Clinical Governance



1. To monitor and assess clinical competencies of junior staff and assistants within the clinical specialism



2. To maintain a highly specialised knowledge base within particular clinical expertise



3. Identify and minimise risk in order to enable safe working practices, advising the Pathway Lead and Head of Service of any concerns, includes maintaining pathway risk register, medical devices register etc



4. To contribute to the clinical governance activities of the NUH ENT/HNC Service including reporting from incidents, near misses, complaints



5. To proactively contribute to regional or national clinical excellence networks, either uni professional RCSLT groups or multi professional agencies



Research, and Learning & Development



1. To ensure service delivery in delegated lead area is underpinned by available research evidence



2. To be responsible for the development, provision and evaluation of programmes of learning and development for speech and language therapy staff including provision and/or coordination of student placements, mentoring and/or supervision of junior staff and assistants.



3. As a requirement of the post undertake research and/or audit in accordance with the needs of the trust and the profession, contributing to the growing body of local and national evidence



4. To demonstrate own continuing professional development