Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. 

Job Title: Highly specialist speech and language therapist - Head and Neck Band 6-7 progression
Contract Type: Permanent

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.
Applicants who can demonstrate that they already meet the required competencies may be offered a Band 7 contract upon appointment

We are delighted to be advertising this exciting and rewarding role in Head and Neck oncology. This post is ideal for a patient-centred, friendly and enthusiastic SLT who is keen to work in a stimulating environment alongside skilled colleagues from a range of professions. 
This post is a progression Band 6-7 role which will be achieved via competency completion. 

The department of dietetics and speech and language therapy employs approximately 130 staff, with clinical experts working across the range of specialties, providing acute services in both adults and paediatrics. As a tertiary hospital, we have senior SLTs in a wide range of specialist areas. There is access to regular CPD sessions, and opportunities to engage in service development and research.
The onsite Wellbeing Hub is an excellent resource for staff complete with a café, various meeting spaces, a free gym and changing facilities.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

 We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

 Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

 We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Key Responsibilities:
If you are the successful candidate, you will:
•    Work as part of the Head and Neck SLT team, including SLT led clinics, MDT clinics, acute wards and outpatient treatment areas.
•    Provide regular communication and swallowing assessment and therapy to patients with complex head and neck oncology diagnoses.
•    Continually represent the SLT service within head and neck oncology. 
•    Be innovative in your approach to patient care and service delivery, whilst being part of MDT service initiatives.
•    Support patients to have instrumental assessment of their swallowing.
•    Offer training, supervision and support to less experienced SLTs and other staff.
•    Support the SLT team in leading or taking on non-clinical tasks e.g. student coordination, clinical effectiveness.

What experience/skills are needed 
If you are:
•    Experienced in working with patients with complex communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of head and neck cancer diagnoses,
•    Skilled in using instrumental assessments e.g. FEES and/or VF,
•    Experienced in supervising and educating others,
•    Experienced in representing SLT in an MDT setting, and effectively advocating for patients’ needs,
•    Experienced in working in an acute hospital, and
•    Experienced in planning, delivering and evaluating clinical audits, service evaluations and/or research,
  we would love to hear from you.