Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Head and Neck Cancer

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 01 December 2024

Job summary

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Head and Neck Cancer.

Previous candidates no need to apply.

This post provides a highly specialist speech and language therapy service to adults presenting with dysphagia and communication difficulties as a result of Head and Neck Cancer in acute medicine and outpatient clinics within the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Previously jointly funded with the Thames Valley Cancer Alliance and now substantively by RBHFT this post sits as part of a wider investment into the SLT head and neck cancer service. You will be joining a team of 5 SLT's and a support worker in a well supported service that is closely integrated within the MDT.

There is potential for this role to be offered as a development opportunity, however this will be at the discretion of the interview panel and appointing team

Main duties of the job

This post is primarily based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and will include attendance at outlying MDT clinics at Townlands Hospital in Henley-on Thames and potentially Wexham Park Hospital. You will be jointly responsible for:

  • the laryngectomy caseload and for supporting the laryngectomy valve change clinic as part of the wider Head and Neck Cancer SLT team,
  • for supporting patients undergoing radiotherapy, working closely with MDT colleagues at the Berkshire Cancer Centre
  • Attending joint clinics with Oncology Consultants.
  • Management of acute admissions of Head and Neck cancer patients
  • Supporting instrumental assessment clinics as competencies allow

About us

Reading sits on the river Thames and is served by great road and rail links to London, Oxford and Southampton. With excellent leisure and shopping facilities, and a thriving cultural scene, Reading is a wonderful place to live, work and play and provides excellent facilities for families, including some of the best state and private schools in the UK.

The CQC recently rated the care provided by The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as Good.

Our values; Compassionate, Aspirational, Resourceful, Excellent, reflect the type of Trust we aspire to be and you can join our dedicated and talented staff to make this happen.

You will be joining a friendly and supportive SLT service who put a strong emphasis on team development and well being. Within the wider team there are specialist services in acute medicine, ENT/Voice , stroke and neuro-rehab and critical care. If you would like to learn more about our service then please have a look at our X/twitter @RBH_SLT and see below for our teams guiding principles:

Inclusivity

  • We ensure a voice for all
  • Our team is a safe space

Working together

  • We celebrate expertise and share our knowledge
  • We value each others differences

Encourage Innovation

  • Aim high
  • We take risks, opportunities and always try again

Display passion

  • We never miss an opportunity to empower others
  • We will always find something to say "yes" to

Focus on the patient

  • The patient is at the heart of what we do
  • We work creatively to enable best patient outcomes

Date posted

08 November 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-6698071NCG-2

Job locations

Royal Berkshire Hospital

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further details on this role, please refer to the Job Description and Person specification attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further details on this role, please refer to the Job Description and Person specification attached.

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Qualification
  • HCPC registration

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of maintaining and developing clinical skills and specialist knowledge

Desirable

  • Active involvement in specialist clinical support networks

Previous experience

Essential

  • Clinical experience in Head and Neck Cancer caseloads
  • Extensive experience of working within an MDT
  • Developing and delivering training
  • Supervision of students
  • Supervision of SLTs

Desirable

  • Working with patients in palliative care
  • Experience of developing competencies in others

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Advanced dysphagia skills to RCSLT level C or equivalent
  • Instrumental assessment using FEES and/or VF
  • Understanding of and ability to provide care to a laryngectomy caseload
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including listening and empathy skills
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Understanding of the roles of other professionals in head and neck cancer
  • Knowledge and understanding of national policies linked to head and neck cancer
  • Knowledge of other relevant legal frameworks such as MCA and safeguarding legislation
Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Qualification
  • HCPC registration

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of maintaining and developing clinical skills and specialist knowledge

Desirable

  • Active involvement in specialist clinical support networks

Previous experience

Essential

  • Clinical experience in Head and Neck Cancer caseloads
  • Extensive experience of working within an MDT
  • Developing and delivering training
  • Supervision of students
  • Supervision of SLTs

Desirable

  • Working with patients in palliative care
  • Experience of developing competencies in others

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Advanced dysphagia skills to RCSLT level C or equivalent
  • Instrumental assessment using FEES and/or VF
  • Understanding of and ability to provide care to a laryngectomy caseload
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including listening and empathy skills
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Understanding of the roles of other professionals in head and neck cancer
  • Knowledge and understanding of national policies linked to head and neck cancer
  • Knowledge of other relevant legal frameworks such as MCA and safeguarding legislation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

UK Registration

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

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire Hospital

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire Hospital

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Professional Lead Speech and Language Therapy

Sarah Stangroom

sarah.stangroom@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

01183225205

Date posted

08 November 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-6698071NCG-2

Job locations

Royal Berkshire Hospital

London Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Supporting documents

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