We are looking for two highly skilled, motivated and innovative Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapists, with excellent communication and leadership skills to lead the Head and Neck Cancer Team at UHL as part of the Speech and Language Therapy service.

This is an exciting time for the service. Having provided an acute service to Leicestershire hospitals for many years as part of the community trust, the service has recently joined UHL and has continued to establish itself as an integral part of AHP services within UHL. The service is supported by a Clinical Service Lead and a new Head of Service. The Trust also has a Chief AHP, ensuring that all AHP services and professions are represented at Board and Executive Levels.

The post holders, as part of the service leadership team, will lead the Head and Neck Cancer Team, supporting the development and expansion of the team. This will provide a fantastic opportunity to work closely with colleagues within Leicester's ENT, Maxillofacial and Oncology teams to develop innovative clinical pathways to meet the needs of patients and their carers.

We are a friendly, innovative, supportive and culturally diverse team. As well as established relationships within UHL, the team has close links with education providers, Leicestershire community service and the wider AHP community. The service provides excellent opportunities for continuing professional development. Opportunities for flexible working arrangements are also provided.

Main duties of the job

You will provide operational, clinical and professional leadership to ensure the delivery of high quality care to patients and their caeres and to ensure performance standards are met. You will also contribute to strategic leadership as part of the Speech and Language Senior Management team .

As an experienced and highly specialist SLT you will prioritise and manage a highly specialist caseload of head and neck cancer patients. This will include management of complex laryngectomy patients including valve changes, tracheostomy care and instrumental assessment of dysphagia ( FEES and videofluoroscopy ) .

Working in collaboration with the relevant Clinical Management Groups, you will be responsible for the transformation and continuous improvement of the service, using quality improvement approaches to support the development of an integrated, efficient, and responsive Speech and Language Therapy service.

This is currently a small team with opportunities to further increase the SLT workforce in this specialist clinical area. The post holders will support restructuring of the service, with the potential of creating leadership over two distinct areas e.g. inpatient /outpatient services and ENT /maxfax patients as staffing increases.

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

Job description

Job responsibilities

This post integrates clinical specialist care with leadership and opportunities to be involved in education, training, service improvement and research.

Applicants will have experience and clinical expertise in the assessment and management of patients with swallowing and communication difficulties arising from head and neck cancer and the resulting oncology and surgical interventions.

The post holder will lead, develop and manage a specialist team delivering services to the Trusts ENT , Maxillofacial and Oncology specialities in order to provide the highest standard and most effective patient care.

As an experienced and highly skilled SLT the post holder will provide clinical expertise in the specialist area of Head and Neck Cancer in an inpatient, clinic and outpatient setting.

The post holder will have experience in instrumental assessment of dysphagia ( Video-fluoroscopy and FEES ) and have experience in the management of patients with tracheostomy, laryngectomy and surgical valve restoration.

The post holder will represent the SLT Head and Neck cancer service at regional and national level.

Please see detailed job description for further information.

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised degree qualification
• HCPC Registered
• Completion successful Masters modules or equivalent

Desirable

• Registered with RCSLT

Experience

Essential

• In depth knowledge of therapeutic interventions
• Knowledge of broad range and relevant assessment tools to appropriate level of competency.
• Experience of managing a complex head and neck pathway caseload.
• Highly specialist knowledge of dysphagia
• Clinical educator experience
• Experienced in the assessment of communication impairment and application of AAC
• Surgical voice restoration competence including complex valve change.

Communication and relationships

Essential

• Highly developed written and verbal communication
• Able to provide and receive complex and sensitive information and adapt communication accordingly
• Highly developed listening and observation skills
• Managing emotional consequences of sled and others, including when imparting sensitive and distressing information
• Evidence of negotiating skills and able to facilitate the resolution of conflict
• Evidence of managing staff performance
• Able to develop appropriate strategies to manage aggressive behaviour in the workplace

Analytical and Judgement

Essential

• Evidence of working with numerical and able to analyse and interpret data
• Able to think laterally, evaluate options and solutions for complex issues
• Presents advice supported by reasoned judgment and evidence
• Understands confidentiality and data protection
• In depth knowledge of clinical governance

Planning and organisation

Essential

• Safe caseload management and able to influence skills in others
• Proactive and flexible style
• Prioritise, meet deadlines and manage diverse/complex caseload including during times of pressure.
• Excellent organisation and supervisory skills
• Can work independently and use high level of initiative and decision making.
• Can give examples of quality initiatives to improve the delivery of patient care

Equality, Diversity and Inclsuion

Essential

• Commitment to understanding and importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
• Compassionate and inclusive leadership

Other Requirements

Essential

• Meets induction and mandatory training requirements
• Able to undertake light physical effort.
• Proficient IT skilss
• Able to carry clinic and teaching equipment or use of correct aids
• Able to work in variety of settings and access transport for relevant off site meetings

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Address

LRI

Infirmary Square

Leicester

LE1 5WW

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

358- 6613217-CSI