Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Speech & Language Therapist to join the Adult Acute SLT Service at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This post is offered as Band 6-7 depending on experience and is a fixed-term position covering maternity leave.

This role represents 0.5 WTE within the Adult Acute SLT team and 0.5 WTE within the Head & Neck SLT service, providing the opportunity to work across two well-established specialist areas within a large tertiary teaching hospital. The Head and Neck aspect is a Macmillan post which enables access to training & equipment grants.

Within the Adult Acute service, the post holder will manage a complex caseload and provide specialist SLT input across adult acute wards, working as part of an established multidisciplinary team within fast-paced clinical environments.

You will provide specialist SLT input across Head & Neck Cancer / Oncology and ENT services (Voice).

You will bring:

o Strong experience in ENT and Head & Neck Cancer/Oncology

o Expertise in voice assessment and therapy

o Competence in flexible nasendoscopy (FNE) / laryngeal evaluation

o Experience in MDT working, training, and service development

Main duties of the job

The role includes specialist SLT input for adults with complex dysphagia and acquired communication difficulties, including patients under medical, respiratory, surgical and oncology services (including brain tumours). The adult acute component of the post does not include stroke rehabilitation wards or designated neurology wards.

You will contribute to a highly specialist Voice and Head & Neck Oncology SLT service, managing a complex caseload and providing advanced assessment and intervention. You will work autonomously, prioritising your workload and leading outpatient instrumental assessment clinics such as Videofluoroscopy (VFS) and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) as well as Surgical Voice Restoration

The post holder will also contribute to triage processes within the adult acute SLT service and support timely prioritisation and management of referrals.

In addition to clinical responsibilities, the post holder will contribute to the support and supervision of junior staff and students across the service.

The expectations of the role will vary depending on banding. Please contact if you wish to discuss.

The post includes structured senior supervision and access to ongoing specialist CPD within a large SLT department.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.

Vacancy will close at midnight on 27th August 2026

Interviews dates to be confirmed

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council Registration
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses in voice, communication and swallowing disorders in Head and Neck, including laryngectomy and tracheostomy management, to masters level equivalent
• Member of Specialist Interest Groups
• Evidence of successful completion of advanced specialist short courses in communication and swallowing disorders in neurology, including tracheostomy management, to masters level equivalent

Experience

Essential

• In depth post graduate experience in specialist area of head and neck
• Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex voice, communication and swallowing disorders associated with and head and neck caseload
• Independent use and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations
• Proven competence in the independent management of laryngectomy patients, including surgical voice restoration
• Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies
• Experience in the area of voice, including use of specialist assessment and therapeutic techniques
• Experience in the selection, use and programming of augmentative communication systems
• Experience in the assessment and management of trismus including provision of appropriate therapeutic devices
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals
• Experience of supervising students and supporting less experienced SLTs
• Involvement in multidisciplinary working
• In depth post graduate experience in specialist area of neurology
• Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex communication, swallowing disorders associated with a neurology caseload.
• Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies, including ventilator dependent patients

Desirable

• Experience in provision of oesophageal voice training
• Experience in training and provision of therapy with use of an electrolarynx
• Experience of in-office procedures (vocal cord medialisation, secondary SVR)
• Experience of involvement in research and audit

Knowledge

Essential

• Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of voice, communication and dysphagia relevant to head and neck cancer
• In depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group
• In depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance / audit to monitor and improve service
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping
• Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia relevant to neurology.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Highly developed auditory and perceptual discriminatory skills for analysis of voice and speech, including phonetic transcription
• Advanced clinical skills in analysis and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations, including ability to pass the nasendoscope
• Advanced skills in Surgical Voice Restoration, including sizing, selecting, placing and maintenance of voice prostheses
• Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member and assume leadership responsibilities
• Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills for management of complex cases
• Excellent analytical and reflection skills
• Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills
• Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials
• Counselling skills

Desirable

• Advanced skills in suctioning for laryngectomy and/or tracheostomy patients

Additional Requirements

Essential

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.