Job summary
Due to an internal promotion, an exciting position has become available for a suitably qualified and experienced Head and Neck Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. The Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead is internationally renowned for its plastic and reconstructive, oral and maxillo- facial surgery. The hospital is a small, ambitious, acute Trust, currently expanding its Head and Neck surgical services.
We are seeking a dynamic, motivated and enthusiastic individual with relevant experience in Head and Neck cancer and complex dysphagia management. The successful candidate will support the Principal SLT in assessment and rehabilitation of head and neck surgical patients referred to QVH from three large MDTs. You will also be involved in our busy videofluoroscopy clinic and new FEES service. QVH has excellent clinical outcomes with a strong commitment to MDT working and evidence-based practice. We are a dedicated, supportive and highly integrated team who work closely to ensure excellent patient care.
Flexible working and a job share will be considered for this part time post of up to 34 hours per week.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will provide highly specialist management and interventions for patients with head and neck cancer referred for surgery at QVH and for the rehabilitation of local patients following total laryngectomy and/or (chemo)radiotherapy. This will include pre-operative counselling, pre-operative voice banking, post-operative rehabilitation including laryngectomy and SVR and instrumental swallowing assessment.
You will work closely with a team of Dietitians, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physiotherapists and Consultant Surgeons as part of three large multi-disciplinary teams.
About us
Rated GOOD overall with outstanding care by the CQC. A specialist NHS hospital providing life-changing reconstructive surgery, burns care and rehabilitation services across the South of England and beyond.
A centre of excellence, with an international reputation for pioneering advanced techniques and treatments. Everything we do is informed by our passion for providing the highest quality care and the best clinical outcomes.
At QVH we are proud of our achievements and our specialist services continue to record excellent clinical outcomes for patients. We regularly receive excellent results from patient satisfaction surveys and on average 98% of inpatients say they would recommend the hospital to their family or friends.
Our success is underpinned by the skills and enthusiasm of our staff and a strong culture of partnership. We are fully committed to training and development of the workforce with support for continuing education and learning.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a high quality, highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy service to a specialist caseload of complex OMFS/ENT Head and Neck Oncology surgical patients and burns patients.
To demonstrate highly-specialist clinical skills for interpretative swallowing assessment techniques and interventions involving instrumental procedures, such as FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) and videofluoroscopy.
To actively develop the quality of the service.
To contribute to the departments clinical governance and quality assurance programmes and monitoring of practice standards.
To maintain and develop current knowledge of evidenced based practice within your speciality, developing advanced specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types. This includes the maintenance of a CPD portfolio, which reflects personal development.
To be actively involved in professional clinical groups, such as Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs), Peer Review Groups and other professional development activities.
You can find further details about the job, organisational structure and benefits information in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a high quality, highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy service to a specialist caseload of complex OMFS/ENT Head and Neck Oncology surgical patients and burns patients.
To demonstrate highly-specialist clinical skills for interpretative swallowing assessment techniques and interventions involving instrumental procedures, such as FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) and videofluoroscopy.
To actively develop the quality of the service.
To contribute to the departments clinical governance and quality assurance programmes and monitoring of practice standards.
To maintain and develop current knowledge of evidenced based practice within your speciality, developing advanced specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types. This includes the maintenance of a CPD portfolio, which reflects personal development.
To be actively involved in professional clinical groups, such as Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs), Peer Review Groups and other professional development activities.
You can find further details about the job, organisational structure and benefits information in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level degree in Speech and Language Therapy or able to demonstrate specialist knowledge within this field through practical experience.
- Evidence of relevant postgraduate education and training in advanced dysphagia, tracheostomy management, counselling
- Post-graduate training in videofluoroscopy and/or FEES
Skills
Essential
- Excellent time management and the ability to organise, prioritise and delegate.
- Ability to evaluate, develop and lead practice developments
- Ability to work autonomously, acting decisively on behalf of self and others with the use of good problem solving skills
Experience
Essential
- Significant postgraduate clinical experience in relevant field.
- Substantial SLT experience within an acute hospital environment, including head and neck oncology patients and complex dysphagia
- Substantial experience in the management of communication and swallowing in tracheostomised patients.
- Competence and experience of independent working in a videofluoroscopy clinic
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level degree in Speech and Language Therapy or able to demonstrate specialist knowledge within this field through practical experience.
- Evidence of relevant postgraduate education and training in advanced dysphagia, tracheostomy management, counselling
- Post-graduate training in videofluoroscopy and/or FEES
Skills
Essential
- Excellent time management and the ability to organise, prioritise and delegate.
- Ability to evaluate, develop and lead practice developments
- Ability to work autonomously, acting decisively on behalf of self and others with the use of good problem solving skills
Experience
Essential
- Significant postgraduate clinical experience in relevant field.
- Substantial SLT experience within an acute hospital environment, including head and neck oncology patients and complex dysphagia
- Substantial experience in the management of communication and swallowing in tracheostomised patients.
- Competence and experience of independent working in a videofluoroscopy clinic
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.
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).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
