Lead SLT for Voice and Upper Airways
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Coventry, CV2 2DX
Salary
£57,528 to £64,750
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
3 September 2026
3 days left
Job description
The Lead Speech and Language Therapist for Voice and Upper Airway Services will provide strategic, clinical and operational leadership for a highly sp...
Lead and deliver a highly specialist, evidence-based SLT service for adults with voice, upper airway and swallowing disorders across acute and community settings.Develop and implement integrated voice and upper airway pathways, ensuring seamless patient care from referral to discharge.Provide advanced assessment, differential diagnosis, treatment and management for patients with complex voice and dysphagia needs.Support and contribute to Joint Voice Clinics, specialist ENT clinics and MDT swallowing clinics, working closely with ENT and wider MDT colleagues.Lead service development, quality improvement and pathway redesign initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance patient outcomes and service efficiency.Provide expert advice and guidance to patients, carers and healthcare professionals on voice and swallowing disorders.Ensure effective triage and prioritisation of referrals to support timely assessment, intervention and discharge planning.Deliver clinical supervision, training, competency development and day-to-day leadership for SLT staff working within voice and dysphagia services.Collaborate with multidisciplinary and cross-organisational partners to support integrated service delivery and innovative models of care.Contribute to policy development, clinical governance, audit and service evaluation activities.Undertake operational, leadership and line management responsibilities as required, deputising for the Head of Service and supporting the wider SLT service.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.
Qualifications
Essential
- Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent.
- Member of RCSLT.
- HCPC Registration with Licence to Practise.
- Completion of RCSLT Dysphagia competencies or equivalent.
- Evidence of relevant post-graduate training in voice.
- Working towards Master's level of education or equivalent experience.
Desirable
- Post-graduate education at Masters level in relevant clinical area(s).
- Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) member in related clinical areas.
- Completed FEES/endoscopy competencies.
Experience
Essential
- Advanced specialist level of clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis and management voice disorders and dysphagia in adults.
- Significant clinical experience working in community settings including patient homes, residential/nursing homes, community clinics as well as in MDT clinics
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience supporting/teaching placement students, newly-qualified SLTs and less experienced colleagues.
- Experience of delivering in-service training and/or CPD relevant to the service area.
- Evidence of maintaining relevant personal/professional development portfolio.
- Understanding of clinical governance.
- Experience of assisting service improvement, audit, or research relevant to voice and dysphagia.
- Experience of leadership/service development relevant to voice and dysphagia.
Desirable
- Experience supporting Voice Clinic jointly with ENT.
- Experience of developing voice and/or dysphagia services in line with national policy.
- Experience developing services jointly with ENT/other MDT stakeholders.
- Experience of conducting or being involved in research in voice and/or dysphagia.
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced clinical knowledge and demonstrable skills in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of complex voice and swallowing disorders.
- Knowledge of voice and dysphagia assessment tools and a range of therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group.
- Knowledge of best practice in assessment and management of voice disorders and dysphagia.
- Good working knowledge of national policies and procedures
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals in supporting patients with voice disorders and/or dysphagia.
- Understanding of the impact of local cultural, linguistic and demographic factors influencing service delivery.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Able to organise time effectively.
- Able to work under pressure.
- Able to adapt communication style to varied listeners
- Able to negotiate and manage difficult conversations.
- Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- IT skills to support clinical practice.
- Ability to assess, identify and manage clinical risk appropriately.
- Ability to critically evaluate service delivery and lead service planning.
Desirable
- Excellent analytical and reflection skills
- Research skills e.g. literature review, critical appraisal, qualitative and/or quantitative analysis.
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values. (As detailed in UHCW's Values in Action document below)
- Applicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
21 August 2026
Last checked
25 August 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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