Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for two experienced Band 7 Speech and Language Therapists to join the Adult Acute Speech and Language Therapy team at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
We are seeking highly motivated clinicians with advanced expertise in the assessment and management of adults with complex dysphagia and communication disorders within an acute hospital setting. The successful candidate will independently manage highly complex patients across neurosciences, respiratory, acute medicine, surgery, orthopaedics and specialist oncology services, including neuro-oncology and haematology, providing expert clinical advice and contributing to complex multidisciplinary decision-making.
Experience in instrumental swallowing assessment (FEES and/or Videofluoroscopy) and tracheostomy management is highly desirable. You will also contribute to clinical leadership, supervision, education and service development within one of the UK’s leading teaching hospitals.
Main duties of the job
You will independently assess and manage adults with highly complex dysphagia and communication disorders across acute inpatient services, providing advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based management recommendations.
The role includes supporting patients with neurological, respiratory, medical, surgical and oncology conditions, including those with tracheostomies, contributing to complex multidisciplinary decision-making, and undertaking and/or contributing to instrumental swallowing assessment (FEES and Videofluoroscopy).
You will provide clinical leadership through supervision and support of junior staff and students, contribute to education and training, participate in audit, research and quality improvement initiatives, and play an active role in the ongoing development of Adult Acute SLT services.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent.
- Health professions Council Registration.
- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
- Post-graduate dysphagia accreditation or equivalent.
- Evidence of advanced post-registration training relevant to Adult Acute practice, including dysphagia, instrumental assessment (FEES/VFS) and/or tracheostomy management.
- Member of Specialist Interest Groups.
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-registration experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist within an Adult Acute service.
- Extensive experience in the independent assessment and management of adults with complex dysphagia.
- Experience independently undertaking and interpreting instrumental swallowing assessment (FEES and/or Videofluoroscopy).
- Experience independently assessing and managing adults with tracheostomies, including communication and swallowing management.
- Experience providing clinical supervision, education and support to junior clinicians and/or students.
- Experience contributing to multidisciplinary working, service development and quality improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrable experience independently prioritising and managing a highly complex Adult Acute caseload.
- Demonstrable experience independently prioritising and managing a highly complex Adult Acute caseload.
Desirable
- Experience working within tertiary specialist services.
- Experience leading audit, research or quality improvement.
- Experience contributing to development of instrumental swallowing services.
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced knowledge of complex dysphagia assessment and management.
- Advanced knowledge of swallowing physiology and pathophysiology.
- Knowledge of the principles, interpretation and clinical application of instrumental swallowing assessment (FEES/VFS).
- Knowledge of tracheostomy assessment and management.
- Knowledge of current RCSLT guidance, evidence-based practice and national dysphagia guidance.
- Understanding of clinical governance, audit and quality improvement.
Skills
Essential
- Advanced clinical reasoning.
- Autonomous clinical decision-making.
- Ability to negotiate and influence complex multidisciplinary clinical decision-making.
- Ability to communicate highly complex information effectively to patients, relatives and MDTs.
- Ability to demonstrate clinical leadership through supervision, education and support of colleagues.
- Excellent organisational and workload management skills.
- Excellent written documentation.
- Ability to contribute to service development and quality improvement.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Closing Date: 27 August 2026
To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.