Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT)

NHS Jobs

Norwich, UK

On-site

Allied Health Professionals

Permanent

£47,810 - £54,710 per year

Job summary

Due to internal promotion, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced clinician to join our team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, a large state of the art teaching hospital. The post holder will work as part of our inpatient adult team, predominantly seeing complex acute patients including those on our Critical Care unit and supporting our post operative Head and Neck Cancer patients. Ideally you will be competent in managing patients with tracheostomy, as well as videofluoroscopy and/or FEES, with the opportunity to take on a Clinical Lead role dependent on experience.

You will be joining a well-supported, strong team of speech and language therapists, who are passionate about our Trust's PRIDE values and have a fantastic reputation throughout the hospital. The team is enthusiastic and innovative and committed to evidence-based practice. You will receive regular supervision, be involved in service development and research projects, attend regular team meetings and have access to continuing professional development opportunities both with the Trust and externally. In addition, the team also has strong links with the University of East Anglia including the undergraduate SLT degree course.

So, if you are a versatile, enthusiastic, and motivated speech and language therapist who would like the opportunity to join our friendly team, we would love to hear from you!

Interview date: 23rd December 2025

Main duties of the job

To provide highly specialist Speech & Language Therapy assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment for patients with communication, feeding and swallowing disorders.
To conduct and interpret results of specialist instrumental -assessment independently, including Videofluoroscopy (VFS) and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES) and Endoscopic Evaluation of the Larynx (EEL). To be aware of Health and Safety issues in relation to potential exposure to radiation and bodily fluids.
To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure inter-professional patient care for patients with communication, feeding and swallowing disorders.
To identify and address the professional development and training needs for junior colleagues within the SLT service in negotiation with the Service Manager, and to conduct/contribute to their annual Professional Development Reviews.
To participate in Clinical Governance, audit activities and in research initiatives within the SLT Department and with the UEA.
To provide leadership/leadership support to the SLT team.

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

Flexible working hours
Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
Multi Faith prayer room
Discounted gym memberships
Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
On-site Nursery
On-site cafes offering staff discounts
Support in career development
Flexible staff bank
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Details

Date posted

04 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

234-25-F1154-A

Job locations

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY

Job description

Job responsibilities

To hold and manage a caseload of patients with communication, feeding and swallowing disorders independently and to be legally accountable for all clinical decisions and professional actions.
To delegate a caseload to junior colleagues within the Speech and Language Therapy team.
To provide highly specialist assessment, differential diagnosis and appropriate and clearly planned Speech and Language Therapy intervention and discharge planning for patients with a wide range of communication, feeding and swallowing disorders within the SLT team, in line with RCSLT Clinical Guidelines, and standards set by the SLT Service Manager.
To independently manage feeding, swallowing and communication difficulties in patients with altered airways including the management of patients with voice prosthesis, once competency has been achieved.
To demonstrate highly specialist knowledge in the area of communication, feeding and swallowing disorders underpinned by current evidence based practice.
To adapt assessment and intervention techniques to the needs of individual patients on an ongoing basis including the provision of augmentative and alternative communication systems as appropriate.
To provide second opinions for local SLT colleagues in the areas of communication, feeding and swallowing disorders.
To conduct and interpret results of specialist instrumental -assessment independently, including Videofluoroscopy (VFS) and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES), videolaryngoendoscopy with stroboscopy. To be aware of Health and Safety issues in relation to potential exposure to radiation and bodily fluids.
To independently carry out oral and deep suctioning on patients as required, once competency has been achieved.
To independently carry out voice prosthesis changes and advise on laryngectomy/voice prosthesis products as required once competency has been achieved.

Please view the attached job description for full details of the role, and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To hold and manage a caseload of patients with communication, feeding and swallowing disorders independently and to be legally accountable for all clinical decisions and professional actions.
To delegate a caseload to junior colleagues within the Speech and Language Therapy team.
To provide highly specialist assessment, differential diagnosis and appropriate and clearly planned Speech and Language Therapy intervention and discharge planning for patients with a wide range of communication, feeding and swallowing disorders within the SLT team, in line with RCSLT Clinical Guidelines, and standards set by the SLT Service Manager.
To independently manage feeding, swallowing and communication difficulties in patients with altered airways including the management of patients with voice prosthesis, once competency has been achieved.
To demonstrate highly specialist knowledge in the area of communication, feeding and swallowing disorders underpinned by current evidence based practice.
To adapt assessment and intervention techniques to the needs of individual patients on an ongoing basis including the provision of augmentative and alternative communication systems as appropriate.
To provide second opinions for local SLT colleagues in the areas of communication, feeding and swallowing disorders.
To conduct and interpret results of specialist instrumental -assessment independently, including Videofluoroscopy (VFS) and Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES), videolaryngoendoscopy with stroboscopy. To be aware of Health and Safety issues in relation to potential exposure to radiation and bodily fluids.
To independently carry out oral and deep suctioning on patients as required, once competency has been achieved.
To independently carry out voice prosthesis changes and advise on laryngectomy/voice prosthesis products as required once competency has been achieved.

Please view the attached job description for full details of the role, and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Successful completion of specialist/expert short courses relevant to field (i.e. to masters level)
Completion of postgraduate dysphagia training
Attainment of relevant qualifications as recognised by RCSLT and HCPC
Registered membership of RCSLT and HCPC

Experience

Essential

Experience with Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES), Videofluoroscopy (VFS) and caring for patients with altered airways
Postgraduate clinical experience of working with patients with complex communication, feeding and swallowing disorders
Experience in mentoring/supervising junior Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy students.

Skills

Essential

Able to independently manage a dysphagia and communication impairment caseload.
Able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both individually and in groups
Ability to organise workload and manage time effectively.

Attitude, aptitude

Essential

Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Successful completion of specialist/expert short courses relevant to field (i.e. to masters level)
Completion of postgraduate dysphagia training
Attainment of relevant qualifications as recognised by RCSLT and HCPC
Registered membership of RCSLT and HCPC

Experience

Essential

Experience with Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES), Videofluoroscopy (VFS) and caring for patients with altered airways
Postgraduate clinical experience of working with patients with complex communication, feeding and swallowing disorders
Experience in mentoring/supervising junior Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy students.

Skills

Essential

Able to independently manage a dysphagia and communication impairment caseload.
Able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both individually and in groups
Ability to organise workload and manage time effectively.

Attitude, aptitude

Essential

Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY

Employer's website

https://teamnnuh.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY

Employer's website

https://teamnnuh.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Salary range

£47,810 - £54,710 per year