Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Speech & Language Therapist ready to practise at advanced level within the Adult Acute SLT Service at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust — one of the UK’s leading tertiary teaching hospitals.
You will join a large, well-established acute SLT service recognised for clinical excellence, instrumental practice, and strong multidisciplinary working across complex medical and surgical pathways. The wider SLT service also delivers highly specialist care across neurosciences and critical care, reflecting the scale and expertise of the department.
This full-time specialist role involves managing a complex and high-risk caseload across adult acute wards, working autonomously within fast-paced environments and contributing to multidisciplinary decision-making. The post-holder will also provide specialist SLT input to neuroscience outliers and patients stepping down from critical care, as part of the wider acute pathway.
This post is ideally suited to clinicians ready to step confidently into advanced practice, supported by an experienced senior leadership team within a large and progressive acute SLT service. You will join a supportive Band 7 peer group within a mature service that prioritises supervision, professional development, and collaborative practice.
Main duties of the job
To provide advanced specialist Speech & Language Therapy assessment and management for adults with complex dysphagia and acquired communication difficulties within acute hospital settings.
To manage a high-risk, complex caseload autonomously, prioritising workload and clinical risk in fast-paced adult acute environments.
To undertake and interpret instrumental swallowing assessments (FEES and/or videofluoroscopy) in line with service competencies and professional standards.
To contribute specialist SLT input to multidisciplinary decision-making, including risk management, care planning and discharge planning.
To provide specialist advice, supervision and clinical support to other Speech & Language Therapists and support staff within the Adult Acute SLT service.
To contribute to service development, clinical governance, audit and quality improvement activities within the adult acute service.
To work in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards and CUH values of Safe, Kind and Excellent.
Working for our organisation
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a full list of duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on 1st March 2026
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
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 successful completion of advanced specialist short courses in communication and swallowing disorders in neurology, including tracheostomy management, to masters level equivalent
Member of Specialist Interest Groups
Experience
Essential criteria
In depth post graduate experience in specialist area of neurology
Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex communication, swallowing disorders associated with a neurology caseload.
Independent use and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations
Proven experience in the independent assessment, treatment and management of patients with tracheostomies, including ventilator dependent patients
Experience in the selection, use and programming of augmentative communication systems
Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals
Involvement in multidisciplinary working
Knowledge
Essential criteria
Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia relevant to neurology.
In depth knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national polices and procedures relevant to client group.
In depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit to monitor and improve service
Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group
Knowledge of standards of record keeping.
Skills
Essential criteria
Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills.
Highly developed auditory and perceptual discriminatory skills for analysis of speech, including phonetic transcription
Advanced clinical skills in analysis and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and FEES examinations, including ability to pass the nasendoscope
Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written
Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member and assume leadership responsibilities
Excellent negotiation and problem solving skills for management of complex cases
Excellent analytical and reflection skills
Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills
Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials
Desirable criteria
Counselling skills
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
Name
Andrie Schembri
Job title
Senior SLT
Email address
andrie.schembri@nhs.net
Telephone number
01223216200
Additional information
Alison Elliot
Admin Manager/PA to Head of Service
alison.elliot@nhs.net
01223216200