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

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

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

Main duties of the job
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 caf, various meeting spaces, a free gym and changing facilities.

About us
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.

Job responsibilities
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.

Person Specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
• HCPC (Health and Care professions Council) registered speech and language therapist
• Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing CPD and development in relevant areas
• Evidence of relevant speech and language therapy knowledge and expertise with recent experience demonstrating this
• Evidence of post-graduate training in relevant speciality
• Experience of supervising staff
• Experience and involvement with training
• Ability to communicate complex information fluently, confidently and effectively to a diverse range of people: e.g. with patients, carers, managers and other health care professionals
• Ability to demonstrate a practical and sensitive approach and flexibility in working style when applying clinical judgement to complex clinical issues
• Ability to create rapport and professionally manage relationships with colleagues, patients and carers and the emotional challenges this presents

Desirable

• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and relevant specialist groups
• Experience of leading or co-ordinating audit or research work
• Clinical supervisory skills training

Skills
Essential

• Presentation skills
• Teamwork
• Microsoft Office skills
• Communication
• Record keeping
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills
• Policy development
• Advanced analytical thinking
• Mentoring skills
• Keyboard skills
• Numeracy skills
• Research skills

Trust Values
Essential

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).