Clinical Voice Specialist

Position Overview

This role focuses on providing specialized Speech & Language Therapy to both inpatient and outpatient individuals (adults and children) who are experiencing voice, upper airway, and muscle tension swallowing disorders, particularly those resulting from a variety of causes, including Post Covid conditions. The successful candidate will contribute to the service dedicated to local patients with voice and upper airway issues following COVID-19. Collaboration with the Post COVID-19 Service at Whittington Health is essential.

Key Responsibilities

The individual in this position will deliver speech and language therapy to outpatient populations (adults and children) facing clinical voice disorders and upper airway challenges post COVID-19, as part of an expanding upper airway service. Responsibilities include:

• Demonstrating expertise in clinical voice disorders is crucial, while experience or enthusiasm for working with upper airway conditions (such as chronic cough, laryngeal hypersensitivity, and inducible laryngeal obstruction) is preferred.
• A foundational understanding of neurology for differential diagnosis in both neurolaryngology and neurology is advantageous.
• Collaborating with the Clinical Voice Lead to assess and treat a diverse caseload of patients referred from Whittington Health.
• Managing a caseload of outpatients presenting with voice, upper airway, and Post COVID-19 related conditions.
• Coordinating with the Post COVID-19 Service and associated organizations, while also providing training and contributing to service enhancements, audits, outcome assessments, and research initiatives.
• Working closely with multidisciplinary team members in ENT and the Post COVID-19 service, as well as supporting other Speech and Language Therapists in delivering integrated care.
• Receiving clinical supervision from the Clinical Voice Lead at Whittington Health.

About Whittington Health

Whittington Health is an integrated care organization that encompasses the Whittington Hospital, a district general hospital located in North Central London. The successful candidate will join the ENT/Voice Speech and Language Therapy Service, which is an outpatient service led by a Clinical Voice Lead. This service is dedicated to providing assessment and therapy for outpatients and consultation for inpatients with voice disorders.

Whittington Health is committed to serving a diverse community and strives to ensure that all services are equitable and accessible. This commitment extends to our workforce, as we aim to employ individuals who reflect the diversity of the population we serve. We value differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust recognizes its responsibility as a public sector organization to implement recruitment, training, promotion, and other employment policies that are sensitive to these differences, ultimately enhancing patient care and creating a supportive work environment.

Job Duties

1. Exhibit clinical proficiency in assessing, treating, and managing voice, swallowing, and airway disorders in both adults and children, primarily in outpatient settings.

2. Conduct specialized assessments and management for inpatient and outpatient adults and children with complex voice and upper airway disorders, including Post COVID-19 symptoms.

3. Maintain a strong knowledge base of voice, swallowing, and respiratory disorders, grounded in current evidence-based practices and outcome measures.

4. Demonstrate auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with voice disorders.

5. Adapt to the needs of a clinical caseload, prioritizing effectively and maintaining a database for future audits and research, while managing time efficiently.

6. Foster and maintain positive working relationships with all healthcare professionals involved in patient care.

7. Participate in and contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, facilitating referrals to other professionals and coordinating joint efforts to ensure effective, integrated therapy delivery.

8. Promote the dissemination of knowledge regarding voice, swallowing, and airway interventions within the Trust and at national and international levels, showcasing specialist clinical practice and positive outcomes.

9. Continuously develop and enhance personal specialist skills and knowledge through ongoing education, participation in clinical excellence networks, and relevant training courses, ensuring integration of these benefits into clinical practice.

10. Reflect on clinical practices, adapt based on evidence and feedback from clinical supervision, and contribute to local Trust systems of clinical governance.

11. Remain flexible to the evolving needs of the service and demonstrate a positive response to changes directed by lead clinicians.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc/MSc in Speech Sciences or equivalent (including PG Dip).
• HCPC license to practice and registered member of RCSLT.
• Successful completion of postgraduate studies relevant to the field (voice disorders and upper airway conditions).
• Completion of specialist courses pertinent to the field (voice therapy techniques, voice assessment, upper airway disorders, and Long Covid).

Desirable

• Counseling skills.
• Experience in student supervision and training.

Previous Experience

Essential

• Experience working with voice and/or upper airway disorders.

Desirable

• Experience delivering specialist training to diverse audiences.
• Involvement in evidence-based/research projects.

Knowledge

Essential

• Proficiency in utilizing a specialized range of assessment tools and procedures to evaluate voice, upper airway dysfunction, and Long Covid disorders.
• Ability to demonstrate key characteristics leading to a specialist diagnosis of voice and upper airway disorders, including Long Covid.
• Competence in selecting, setting, and evaluating specialist treatment goals for patients with voice and upper airway disorders.
• Familiarity with a variety of therapeutic interventions relevant to voice and upper airway disorders, including Long Covid, supported by evidence.
• Understanding of key presentations and management options for voice and upper airway conditions.
• Application of specialist knowledge regarding local cultural, linguistic, and demographic factors in managing voice and upper airway caseloads.
• Knowledge of the diagnosis and management of patients with Long Covid and the role of the Speech and Language Therapist.
• Awareness of multidisciplinary team approaches.
• Understanding of clinical governance principles.
• Strategies to support clients and caregivers facing challenging behaviors or mental health needs.

Desirable

• Application of specialist knowledge in assessing swallowing disorders related to voice, upper airway, and Long Covid conditions.
• Familiarity with mentoring, advising, and supporting less experienced Speech and Language Therapists and support staff.
• Basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Knowledge of key elements in writing a research protocol.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively.
• Strong communication skills.
• Capacity to formulate informed hypotheses regarding voice and/or upper airway disorders based on case studies.
• Skills in critically evaluating published research within a specific area of clinical expertise.
• Proficiency in delivering presentations and training, including adapting styles for various audiences.
• Experience in developing and implementing clinically based projects.