Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

We are looking for a driven, dynamic and enthusiastic individual who has a passion, and clinical interest, in the specialty of chronic respiratory disease. The successful postholder will work within a small team of highly skilled speech and language therapists, working closely with other allied health professionals to provide highly specialist care to patients.

This is an exciting opportunity to extend skills with tertiary level patients including complex dysphagia and upper airway disorders across the varied field of respiratory medicine, including complex asthma, COPD (including lung volume reduction), neuromuscular disease and ILD. We offer opportunities to participate in regular objective instrumental swallow assessments (FEES and VFS) – please contact us for more information if you think this could be the role for you.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be an integrated member of the multi-professional therapy team, providing therapy to patients with chronic and severe respiratory conditions at Royal Brompton Hospital. They will receive operational and professional management from the Clinical Specialist and Adult Clinical Lead SLTs.

They will lead the assessment, treatment and management of swallowing, voice, and upper airway disorders thrpughout the patient pathway in both outpatient and inpatient settings including in-reach to critical care. significant experience, in-depth knowledge and skills in advanced respiratory disease is essential, including non-invasive (NIV) and invasive ventilation (IV) via a tracheostomy for respiratory muscle weakness.

Completion of competency-based learning and substantial experience with instrumental dysphagia assessments is required (Level 2b FEES practitioner (or equivalent)), and significant experience in video fluoroscopy. Familiarity with using MBSImP in practice is desirable. Experience with inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) management and laryngoscopy with provocation is also desired.

The post holder will be part of the wider SLT team and be responsible for line management and clinical supervision of the band 5 and 6 Speech Language Therapists in the respiratory SLT service.

They may on occasions be asked to support other services and sites, including Harefield and Guys Hospitals as required by service needs.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Delivering high-quality supervision, teaching and training to others

Desirable

• Completion of Practice Educator training and delivery of student placements

Experience

Essential

• In-depth knowledge and experience in assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders in adults
• Post-qualification experience in adult dysphagia including VF clinician, RCSLT 2a FEEs assessor, flexible nasendoscopy
• Experience of working with patients with acute and long-term conditions affecting respiratory and neuromuscular function, including MND and muscular dystrophy
• Familiarity with management of upper airway disorders including laryngeal hypersensitivity, ILO and chronic refractory cough
• Post-qualification experience in assessing and managing adults with acquired voice, speech, language and cognitive-communication disorders

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of managing vocal fold movement impairment following surgical procedures
• Knowledge and experience working with patients with voice disorders
• Completion of Lead VF competencies
• Experience of laryngoscopy with provocation

Knowledge/ Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised degree accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• HCPC registration
• Post-graduate dysphagia training or equivalent supervised experience
• Completion of post-qualification education (e.g. short courses)

Desirable

• Registration with RCSLT

Closing Date: 19 July 2026