Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

at  The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for a dynamic, motivated, highly skilled Speech and Language Therapist to join our team at the Royal Marsden, Sutton for a fixed term contract. The role involves the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of communication and swallowing in a range of oncology patients across the lifespan. The majority of the role involves head and neck cancer and neuro oncology, so a brilliant opportunity for an acute therapist to discover more about oncology. You will be working alongside your SLT colleagues and other AHP colleagues in our multiprofessional structure and will be supporting a band 5 with competencies. We have a well-established supervision and support structure. There are regular journal clubs, opportunities for research and for developing and extending clinical skills such as videofluoroscopy and FEES. For further information please contact Kate Ashforth on 0207 808 2815 or kate.ashforth@rmh.nhs.uk
To be responsible for the provision of a highly specialist clinical service, from acute to palliative and terminal stages of care, to patients across the lifespan referred to the Trust with a wide range of communication and/or swallowing disorders secondary to cancer and/or its treatment. The main referral source is the Head and Neck Unit who provide a clinically complex case load where patients have undergone radical treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Other referral sources include neuro oncology , haematological and gastrointestinal tumour.
To take the speech and language therapy (SLT) lead for the head and neck management within the Trust including: leading on the development of protocols and programmes in this clinical area; working closely, and actively participating, with multidisciplinary teams; liaising with other specialist hospitals to ensure appropriate common care pathways are established and effective, and appropriate information is maintained.
To take the SLT lead role in the development and delivery of teaching and training programmes in head and neck oncology for professionals and other staff, as required.
To be responsible for disseminating knowledge in head and neck oncology, within the Trust and on a national and international basis, through reading, participation in research and advanced clinical practice.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That’s why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
To demonstrate specialist clinical skills with both in and outpatients, across the lifespan, when managing their swallowing and/or communication problems related to the nature and stage (acute to terminal/end) of their cancer.
To demonstrate a high level of decision making and to manage and provide a holistic and highly specialist clinical service. This consists of assessing, diagnosing, planning, co-ordinating, implementing and evaluating the specialist treatment programmes for in and outpatients referred to the Trust, who present with complex communication and/or swallowing problems related to their cancer and/or its treatment.
To demonstrate specialist clinical management with both in and outpatients who have complex communication and/or swallowing problems following surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy accessing support from senior colleagues as necessary
To demonstrate highly specialist clinical skills when assessing, treating and managing communication and swallowing problems in those with a neuro oncology diagnosis, across the lifespa

Please refer the Job description for details