Paediatric Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Paediatric Specialist Speech and Language Therapist The closing date is 18 December 2025 Are you a passionate and skilled Speech and Language Therapist looking to take the next step in your career? We’re offering a fantastic opportunity to join our dynamic, friendly and highly supportive SLT service at Cambridge University Hospitals, working within our specialist acute paediatric and neonatal team. There has never been a more exciting time to join us. We are preparing for our move into the groundbreaking Cambridge Children’s Hospital – the first dedicated children’s hospital in the East of England. This pioneering centre will bring together mental and physical healthcare with world‑leading research, creating an inspiring environment for clinicians and families alike. Our acute paediatric and neonatal service spans the entire hospital, giving you the chance to work closely with a wide range of specialist teams including ENT, gastroenterology, intensive care, neonatology, neurology, respiratory medicine and surgery. As an integral member of the MDT, you’ll play a key role in delivering truly holistic, patient‑centred care. In this specialist role, you will independently manage a defined caseload, providing expert assessment and intervention for children with a broad spectrum of developmental and acquired communication and feeding/swallowing needs. If you’re enthusiastic, motivated and excited by the prospect of joining a forward‑thinking service that prioritises wellbeing, teamwork and high‑quality paediatric care, we would love to hear from you. Main duties of the job The acute paediatric and neonatal service reaches across the hospital and works with many areas of specialism including ENT, gastroenterology, intensive care, neonatology, neurology, respiratory and surgery. With the support of your team lead and advanced specialist colleagues and as an integral member of the MDT, you will contribute to the multidisciplinary management of patients, taking a holistic approach to care. You will provide specialist clinical assessment and intervention to a defined caseload of patients referred with a range of developmental / acquired communication and swallowing difficulties; prioritising needs and managing workload independently. There will be the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills within a paediatric acute environment and in the use of instrumental swallowing assessment. We are committed to your ongoing development. You will have exceptional opportunities to deepen your acute paediatric skills, including training in instrumental swallowing assessment and exposure to complex, varied clinical presentations. You’ll be supported by an experienced team lead and advanced specialist colleagues, ensuring you feel confident, encouraged and empowered in your practice. We place a strong emphasis on psychological safety — creating a culture where every team member feels valued, heard and confident to speak up, share ideas and seek support. About us 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 1,100 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. Job responsibilities Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key 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 Interviews are due to be held on 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 caf, 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 Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent HCPC Registration RCSLT member Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses in both dysphagia, and speech, language and communication. Member of relevant RCSLT CEN(s) Experience Post‑graduate experience of working with individuals with speech, language and communication needs, including proven independent assessment, treatment and management of patients Post‑graduate experience of working with individuals with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties including assessment, treatment and management of patients Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals Experience of supervising students Involvement in multidisciplinary working Experience of instrumental assessment Experience of working in an acute environment Experience of working with babies, children and young people Knowledge Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia Demonstrate knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group Understanding of the principles of clinical governance / audit and use of outcome measures Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group Knowledge of standards of record keeping Skills Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills Good auditory and perceptual discriminator skills for analysis of voice and speech, including phonetic transcription Good presentation skills, both verbal and written Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member Negotiation and problem solving skills Good analytical and reflection skills Prioritisation and organisational skills Demonstrates ability to lead on service projects Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials Counselling skills Additional Requirements The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent. 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. Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust #J-18808-Ljbffr