An exciting opportunity is now available for a highly motivated, enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist wishing to develop and extend skills in assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders related to Head and Neck Cancer
The post is based within the multidisciplinary Head and Neck Centre at University College Hospital. The post holder will join a team of 8 SLTs including specialists and a consultant speech and language therapists for head and neck. 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 UCL Medical School and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. UCH also functions as a District General Hospital providing a wide range of services to the local population in Camden and Islington. Camden and Islington are culturally diverse boroughs with many multi ethnic, bilingual and multi lingual speaking communities.
You will deliver a comprehensive and specialist service to patients presenting with communication and swallowing disorders related to head and neck tumours, including:
Input into multi-disciplinary meetings and clinics and management of patients undergoing surgery and/or chemo/radiotherapy
Assessment and management of patients with complex dysphagia including tracheostomy management and input into instrumental assessment and therapy clinics including videofluoroscopy and FEES
Assessment and management of patients with complex communication impairments, including surgical voice restoration after total laryngectomy and speech rehabilitation after oral cancer treatment
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.
Development and delivery of teaching and training, both internal and external
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.
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
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 (proton and photon), 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.
Job Purpose
To provide a high standard of Speech and Language Therapy to patients with highly complex and rare head and neck benign and malignant disease as an autonomous practitioner. Staff are guided and supported by the Clinical lead and Consultant Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapists
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 pro-rated.
You will be employed in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in Agenda for Change.
This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and so the successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure
You will form part of a team of 16 Speech and Language Therapy service colleagues based within UCH.
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.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH

Please refer the Job description for details