Job summary
Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDdUHB) is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Macmillan Head & Neck Cancer (H&N) to become a key part of our dynamic, complex and fast-paced H&N SLT service.
If you thrive in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment, are passionate about patient centred care and want to deepen your expertise in the specialist field of H&N cancer, this is an exceptional opportunity to do meaningful, career defining work.
At HDdUHB, you will be part of a forward thinking service that works closely as an MDT to deliver high quality surgical and oncological care for H&N patients. You will have the autonomy to shape your clinical practice while being supported by a skilled and committed MDT.
We are proud to offer a comprehensive and innovative H&N service, including:
- A dedicated Laryngectomy service, featuring an SLT led surgical voice restoration pathway.
- Established FEES and Videofluoroscopy services.
- Opportunities to work with complex presentations including laryngectomy, tracheostomy, surgical voice restoration (SVR), and late effects of treatment.
Main duties of the job
This is a role where your advanced clinical skills will be valued, expanded and put to meaningful use.
If you are ready to take the next step in your Head & Neck career and want to make a tangible difference to patients navigating some of the most challenging moments of their lives, we'd love to hear from you.
The post holder will act as a Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, co-ordinating the delivery of a Speech & Language Therapyservice within the highly specialist clinical area provided to adult clients following a diagnosis of head and neck cancer, for a County and/orHealth Board wide, being professionally accountable for service planning, standards and quality in this area.
Lead in the development and review of service guidance, protocols and standards in relation to the clinical speciality. Participate in anddevelop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standard setting and clinical effectiveness.
Manage a complex, specialist caseload, independently applying knowledge of tracheostomy management and advanced management indysphagia, including knowledge of Videofluroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES).
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service userexperiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, wewelcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 21/04/2026.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service userexperiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, wewelcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 21/04/2026.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- Evidence of successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Master's Degree or equivalent level, and relevant to area of clinical expertise
- Accredited post-basic dysphagia training with extensive experience of managing complex cases
- HCPC registration
- RCSLT Membership
- Member of Relevant CEN/SIG/PPG
- Knowledge and experience of working with patients who have complex communication and/or dysphagia needs to a highly specialist level including a wide range of specialist assessment tools and procedures and therapeutic interventions, as well as key policies, documents, guidelines and legislation relevant to the role.
- Introductory training in Fibreoptic and Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
- Advanced tracheostomy training
Desirable
- Basic Counselling
- Knowledge of a range of research approaches
- Understanding of principles of change management
- Surgical Voice Restoration competencies
- Level 2 Competencies in Videofluoroscopy Swallow Study (VFSS)
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post registration clinical experience relevant to the post including proven caseload management, time management skills and management of change
- Experience of audit / service evaluation
- Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
- Supporting less experienced staff, including SLT Associate Practitioners, and SLT Student placements, inclusive of assessment, and experience of providing second opinions to SLTs and other professionals
Desirable
- Demonstrable leadership experience
- Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh
- Supervision/line management of SLTs
Other
Essential
- Able to work in a variety of sites based upon service need
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
- Flexible approach to service needs and in responding to work pressures
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- Evidence of successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Master's Degree or equivalent level, and relevant to area of clinical expertise
- Accredited post-basic dysphagia training with extensive experience of managing complex cases
- HCPC registration
- RCSLT Membership
- Member of Relevant CEN/SIG/PPG
- Knowledge and experience of working with patients who have complex communication and/or dysphagia needs to a highly specialist level including a wide range of specialist assessment tools and procedures and therapeutic interventions, as well as key policies, documents, guidelines and legislation relevant to the role.
- Introductory training in Fibreoptic and Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
- Advanced tracheostomy training
Desirable
- Basic Counselling
- Knowledge of a range of research approaches
- Understanding of principles of change management
- Surgical Voice Restoration competencies
- Level 2 Competencies in Videofluoroscopy Swallow Study (VFSS)
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post registration clinical experience relevant to the post including proven caseload management, time management skills and management of change
- Experience of audit / service evaluation
- Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
- Supporting less experienced staff, including SLT Associate Practitioners, and SLT Student placements, inclusive of assessment, and experience of providing second opinions to SLTs and other professionals
Desirable
- Demonstrable leadership experience
- Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh
- Supervision/line management of SLTs
Other
Essential
- Able to work in a variety of sites based upon service need
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
- Flexible approach to service needs and in responding to work pressures
Desirable
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).
