An exciting opportunity is now available for a highly motivated, enthusiastic Speechand Language Therapist wishing to develop and extend skills in assessment andtreatment of communication and swallowing disorders related to Head and Neck andThyroid Cancer

The post is based within the multidisciplinary Head and Neck Centre at UniversityCollege London Hospital. The post holder will join a team of specialist and consultantspeech and language therapists in head and neck cancer and will receive expertsupervision. UCH is a national tertiary referral centre for a range of specialties,including head and neck cancer and sarcoma. It has strong links with the UCLMedical School and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. UCHalso functions as a District General Hospital providing a wide range of services tothe local population in Camden and Islington. Camden and Islington are culturallydiverse boroughs with many multiethnic, bilingual and multi lingual speakingcommunities.

Main duties of the job

As a specialist speech and language therapist, you will deliver a comprehensive and specialist service to patients presenting with communication and swallowing disorders related to head and neck tumours, including:

o Input into multi-disciplinary meetings and clinics for management of patients undergoing surgery and/or chemo/radiotherapyo Assessment and management of patients with complex dysphagia including tracheostomy managemento Participation in the use of instrumental assessment for dysphagia management, including videofluoroscopy and FEESo Participation in use of instrumental assessment for voice management, including VLEo Assessment and management of patients with complex communication impairments, including surgical voice restoration after total laryngectomy, speech and voice rehabilitation after treatment for head and neck cancero Delivery of comprehensive rehabilitation for voice, speech and swallowo Participation in data collection for research and audit projects in line with the Trust research and development strategy, in consultation with the Consultant Head and Neck SLT post holder.o Development and delivery of teaching and training, both internal and external

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)

• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Our organisation is driven by our strategic objectives and organisational values and we look for people who are strongly aligned with them. Our Team is tight knit and work well together. This position would suit a developing specialist who is looking for a Team that can provide a high level of mentoring and support on an on-going basis. The team offers excellent line management and peer support a wide range of opportunities for professional and career development a full induction programme and regular clinical supervision modern. We have a rich weekly CPD programme to promote and enhance skill and knowledge development.

Annual leave starts at 27 days a year plus bank holidays.

You will be employed in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in Agenda for Change. Applications for secondment will be considered

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and so the successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure

Speech and Language intervention in the head and neck cancer patient population requires advanced specialist knowledge and skills. The caseload is varied and complex and ranges from early stage oro-pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers to advanced disease and /or cases requiring second opinions.

Treatment is broad, and is usually multi-modal, involving surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and / or protein therapy. There is a wide range of patient profiles from teenage young adult, to geriatric. There are specific diagnostic procedures used by speech and language therapist to define the impairment both as a result of the disease, and as a consequence of the treatment. These procedures inform and define the intervention and highlight the most appropriate therapeutic techniques for rehabilitation of speech, swallow, voice and respiration.

The Speech and Language Therapists within the Head and Neck team are specialists dedicated to Head and Neck. The post holder is responsible for the provision of a Speech and Language Therapy service within the Head and Neck team and will report directly to the Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist for Head and Neck.

In line with the Trust philosophy these services are at a tertiary level, acting as resource for multidisciplinary care providers in secondary level services. The post holder works as part of an MDT contributing to the assessment, management and treatment of referred patients including highly complex and rare head and neck conditions.

The post holder will be based at UCH at all times providing both inpatient and outpatient services.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.
This vacancy has been advertised in accordance with the new NHS pay rate which will take effect from autumn 2024. Please note if your employment starts before the 24/25 pay scales are implemented you will be paid under the 23/24 pay scales and any backpay will be adjusted accordingly. Further information can be found athttps://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202425

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• Licence to practice as a Speech and Language therapist (HPC)
• BSc. Speech Path or equivalent (including Dip. CST)
• Member of RCSLT
• Post graduate dysphagia trained

Desirable

• Successful completion of highly specialist post graduate study relevant to ENT or head and neck cancer e.g. FEES, advanced dysphagia course including videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy management, surgical voice restoration

Experience

Essential

• Post-registration experience within an acute setting
• 1 years post registration dysphagia experience
• Experience of oAssessing dysphagia oDeveloping dysphagia management and rehabilitation programmes.
• Use of problem oriented medical records / SOAP notes
• Post-registration head and neck experience

Desirable

• 1 years post registration ENT, head and neck and/or maxillofacial experience
• Evidence of involvement in clinical governance programmes including one or more of the following areas: oAudit and clinical effectiveness oRisk management oPublic patient involvement
• Evidence of active participation in and/or experience in teaching in one or more of the following areas: oSLT in-service training oMDT in-service training oStudent training oInternal/External courses oJoint sessions with junior staff
• Evidence of supervision experience with one or more of the following groups: oBand 5/6 SLT oSLT Assistants oSLT students
• Post-registration experience of assessing and treating voice disorders
• Post-registration experience of videofluoroscopy
• Post-registration tracheostomy experience
• Post registration experience in surgical voice restoration after total laryngectomy

Skills and Abilities: Communication

Essential

• Demonstrates understanding of and ability to manage the needs of patients with head and neck cancer, including the use of counselling skills as appropriate.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the emotional needs of patients and carers and ability to use strategies to manage emotional behaviour.
• Demonstrates professional and effective verbal and written communication skills including excellent negotiation skills with patients, carers and other health professional staff in complex case management, service delivery issues and conflict management.
• Demonstrates highly developed skills in multidisciplinary team working

Personal & people development

Essential

• Proven ability to identify areas for own personal/professional development through highly developed reflective practice skills and integrate knowledge gained into own practice
• Effective time management and the ability to prioritise own SLT workload

Desirable

• Evidence of supervision skills

Health, safety and security

Essential

• Proven ability to identify equipment and resource needs within own area of work
• Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to Infection Control and Health and Safety Guidelines when dealing with frequent unpleasant conditions relating to patient contact including moving and handling

Quality and service improvement

Essential

• adherence to national and local clinical guidelines with reference to assessment and rehabilitation of communication and swallowing disorders in patients with head and neck cancer
• Proven ability to participate in the development of local policies and care protocols for rehabilitation of speech, voice and swallowing disorders, informed by a strong evidence base
• Proven experience in planning, reviewing and auditing uni- and multidisciplinary service delivery
• Proven ability to monitor equipment resources within own area of work
• Evidence of effective clinical reasoning in the management of complex communication and swallowing disorders
• Demonstrates knowledge of RCSLT and HPC's code of ethics and professional conduct
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate legislation affecting working practice, e.g. Working with Vulnerable Adults and Safeguarding Children

Information processing (IT skills)

Essential

• Competent IT skills

Equality and Diversity

Essential

• Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the Equal Opportunities Policy

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to express reasons for desire to work in this area
• A flexible approach to the changing service needs

Other requirements, including:

Essential

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• The ability to understand and adhere to Equal Opportunities Policy and risk management policy

Employer details

Employer name

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University College London Hospital

250 Euston Road

London

NW1 2PG

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

309-UCLH-5239