Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist – Head & Neck/Oncology in Romford

Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist – Head & Neck/Oncology

Band 7

Main area Speech & Language Therapy Grade Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 162-8053-CCS

Site Queen's Hospital Town Romford Salary £55,524 - £62,652 per annum inclusive Salary period Yearly Closing 01/11/2026 23:59

PEOPLE are at the HEART of everything we do

This video gives a flavour of what it is like to work at our Trust and why some of our staff love working here

Speech & Language Therapy (SLT) at BHRUT have received funding for a new post in Band 7 in Head & Neck/Oncology! This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate, evidence based and dynamic SLT to join 29 SLTs over 2 hospitals and contribute to innovative service development within this patient population.
You will work with our current Band 7 SLT in leading and developing our service through participation in weekly MDMs, on-treatment clinic, supporting complex clinical decisions related to dysphagia, supervision and training of SLT colleagues and MDT members plus involvement in regular VFSS and FEES clinics. There are opportunities to work across other Oncology specialties including lung, gastroenterology and haematology. You will also cover the benign ENT population across the wards, including tracheostomy and surgical patients.
You will need to have extensive experience managing dysphagia and communication disorders associated with treatment for head & neck cancer in an acute setting. You should be competent in VFSS. Tracheostomy experience is beneficial. In-house training for tracheostomy & FEES can be provided.
Our SLT Team is ever growing and very supportive. We provide ample CPD, training opportunities and peer support. Service development, audit and quality improvement initiatives are actively encouraged.

Main duties of the job

• To provide autonomous specialist assessment, treatment and advice to inpatients who present with a wide range of complex swallowing and communication difficulties secondary to head and neck cancer and other oncology conditions. To assist with in-patients across a range of acute specialities as required.
• To work alongside other members of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to give highly specialist guidance, advice and education to on matters relating to your specialist area.
• Provide leadership for your team (in conjunction with the Clinical Lead) in planning, coordinating, delivering and evaluating the Speech and Language Therapy service provided to patients within your area; This maybe cross-site.
• To provide a lead role in teaching, supervising and appraising peers, Band 6, Band 5, Student Speech and Language Therapists, Speech and Language Therapy Assistants.
• To deputise in the absence of senior colleagues as required in both management and clinical areas.
• To contribute to running and developing of the Speech and Language service through audit, development of policies, procedures and guidelines using evidence-based practise.
• Undertake supervision, mentoring and performance development plans to promote clinical and professional effectiveness of self and others. This includes performance management, management of disciplinary issues in liaison with Clinical Lead

Working for our organisation

We’re an organisation that is getting better and better and our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we’re proud of and our patients are happy with.

They are benefitting from a new electronic patient record (we were the last acute trust in London to introduce one) and our maternity services have been rated good by the Care Quality Commission.

We operate from two main sites – KGH in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 346,000 people visiting them last year. We’re campaigning to secure the £35m we need to transform the A&E at Queen’s and get rid of corridor care.

We’re proud of our regional Neurosciences Centre, Radiotherapy Centre and Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. We’re also part of the North East London Cancer Alliance.

We run a Women’s Health Hub in Ilford; an Ageing Well Centre in Hornchurch; and Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital and at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub. These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The majority of our 8,400 staff – who come from 146 different countries - live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Many can work flexibly and more than 400 of them are on our Ofsted accredited apprenticeship programmes. We’re proud to be a London Living Wage employer.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.

Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.

All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.

Applications should be made online, however, queries regarding the application process, assistance with completion of the application form or if you require any adjustments (for applicants with a disability) please contact Sarah Wood, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 ext. 4188. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.

Person specification

Education / Qualification

• BSc/MSc in Speech and Language Therapy.
• H.C.P.C. Registration.
• RCSLT Registration.
• Training of Speech and Language Therapy students on placements.

Skills / Abilities

• Sound knowledge of relevant H&N cancer or oncology conditions resulting in complex swallow and/or communication difficulties.
• Evidence of service development project.

Before you apply

Using AI
We recognise that more applicants are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support their job applications and welcome the responsible use of these technologies.
AI can be a useful tool to help organise your thoughts, improve the structure of your application and support your preparation. However, your application should remain an authentic and accurate reflection of your skills, experience, and knowledge.
We encourage you to review the person specification carefully and provide clear examples that demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role. Any information submitted as part of your application must be accurate, truthful, and based on your experience.
Throughout our recruitment process, we value honesty, integrity, and authenticity. We want to understand what you can bring to BHRUT, so please ensure that your application reflects your own capabilities and achievements.
AI should not be used to misrepresent your skills, qualifications, and experience.

Flexible working
We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working or job sharing where service needs allow.

Pre-employment checks
Please provide references from your current or most recent employer, including your line manager or supervisor. Successful applicants will also be required to complete pre-employment checks, including identity verification through TrustID and any role-specific clearances.

Certificate of Sponsorship
In line with UKVI guidance, we are unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship for Band 2 and Band 3 roles.

Recruitment process
We may close vacancies before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. All communication regarding your application will be sent by email, so please check your inbox and junk folder regularly.

Inclusion
BHRUT is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Applicants who declare a disability under the Equality Act 2010 or identify as a Care Leaver and choose to be considered under our Disability Confident or Care Leaver schemes will be guaranteed an interview where they meet the essential criteria.

Safeguarding
BHRUT is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. All employees are expected to share this commitment and follow the Trust's safeguarding policies.

Smoke-free Trust
BHRUT is a smoke-free Trust. All employees are expected to comply with our smoke-free policy.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Virginia Puno Job title Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapist Email address virginiapuno@nhs.net Telephone number 01708435000 Additional information Ext: 6766

We have a wide range of flexible, temporary and part-time opportunities.

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