Advanced Speech

Job summary Looking for a fresh challenge?
We are recruiting for an Advanced Speech and Language Therapist to work in a split post as part of the Acute Inpatients and Head & Neck/ENT teams.
We will provide you with training and pastoral support and offer an outstanding learning and development package with a broad range of development opportunities.This will be based at both Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Maidstone Hospital sites .
Candidates will be enthusiastic and flexible, with a specialist interest in Head & Neck Oncology.You will help to manage patients with dysphagia on an acute inpatient caseload and help deliver speech and language therapy to adults who present with a wide range of swallowing and communication disorders secondary to head and neck cancer or ENT disorders, including those with laryngectomy and tracheostomy.
Main duties of the job Excellent communication skills and significant experience in dysphagia, tracheostomy, complex communication disorders, laryngectomy and videoflouroscopy are essential.
Further experience in FEES is desirable.
You will offer second opinions and guidance on more complex dysphagia and input into videofluoroscopy clinic as well as the weekend rota across inpatients.
We need flexible, dynamic individuals capable of working well in a team.
As stated before, we would also consider candidates who are still developing these skills in to a developing B7 role.
Just get in touchThe broader SALT team is made up of 21 SLTs and 5 SLT Assistant posts, split across both sites.
We offer excellent clinical support and supervision, and ongoing professional development is actively encouraged.
Speech and Language Therapy sits within the Therapies Directorate, in the Core Clinical Services Division and is co-located with Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Dietetics on both sites, making easy work of joint working.Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications.
Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.
About us MTW is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of England.We provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in west Kent and East Sussex.
We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff.
We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre.In the 2024 NHS staff survey, our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East.Would you like to work flexibly?
In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you.
Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
Job description Job responsibilities Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced level (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career.
We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients.
We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities.
We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace.
Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible.
You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - (Interview Date: 7th January 2025.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree or post graduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy Registered member of HPC Post qualification in Dysphagia Evidence of on-going CPD/ reflective practice Desirable Registered member of RCSLT Experience/ Knowledge Essential Post graduate experience of working with clients with H&N ENT swallowing and/or communication disorders Detailed knowledge of Oncology treatment approaches and known side-effects to include Immunotherapy Detailed knowledge of ENT treatment approaches Experience of working with adults in both the acute and outpatient settings Experience of line management including supervision Experience running videofluroscopy clinic Experience providing training and specialist advice to external agencies Desirable Experience with FEES Experience of line management including supervision Skills Essential Advanced dysphagia skills Advanced communication support skills to include laryngectomy Desirable Counselling skills Tracheostomy skills Oral and tracheal suction skills