Rotational Speech and Language Therapist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

This post is a rotational B6 post at The Royal Brompton Hospital offering specialist 9 month rotations in Upper Airways disorders and critical care/ surgery. The post holder will be responsible for providing specialist communication, swallowing and airway services to a caseload of adult acute inpatients with complex heart and lung conditions including cardiac disease, respiratory disease, cardiothoracic surgery and transplantation, some of whom may be tracheostomised or ventilator dependent in critical care settings. They will be supported to provide comprehensive and evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and interventions, as well as education, advice and liaison to patients, carers and professionals. They will be involved in discharge planning, ensuring good communication and seamless transfer to colleagues and services in the community and other acute Trusts. They will be a member of the adult acute SLT service, contributing to multi-professional therapy teams working across Royal Brompton Hospital, and will receive regular support and clinical supervision from the Band 7 Highly Specialist SLT to ensure safe, effective and compassionate working. The rotation will commence in the Upper Airways service.

Main duties of the job

1.1 To be responsible for managing a caseload of adult acute inpatients with communication, swallowing and airway problems related to complex cardiorespiratory disease across acute, critical care and outpatient settings. Patients may present with acute or chronic communication and/or swallowing disorders and may be tracheostomised and ventilator dependent.

1.2 To demonstrate specialist knowledge of communication, swallowing and airway disorders from a range of anatomical and physiological causes, and apply this to patients with complex cardiorespiratory disease ensuring high quality clinical care.

1.3 To develop and consolidate specialist SLT skills in managing a caseload of upper airways patients with various symptoms of laryngeal dysfunction, such as chronic cough and inducible laryngeal obstruction. They may present with breathing and voice difficulties, globus and throat discomfort. Some may have co-occurring asthma. Therapy will be mostly in outpatient clinics with a small proportion of inpatient work.

1.4 To demonstrate specialist knowledge of voice, breathing and laryngeal function that can be applied to upper airway disorders.

1.5 To undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner - to be always professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of their clinical work according to RCSLT and HCPC standards.

About us

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best-known hospitals - Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield. We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts.

We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research's biomedical research centres, established with King's College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.

Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals joined Guy's and St Thomas' in February 2021 and is the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. We provide treatment for people with heart and lung disease, including rare and complex conditions, offering some of the most sophisticated treatment that is available anywhere in the world. Our integrated approach to caring for patients from before birth, through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood and old age has been replicated around the world and has gained Royal Brompton and Harefield an international reputation as a leader in heart and lung diagnosis, treatment and research.

Details

Date posted

23 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£47,951 to £56,863 a year p.a. inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

196-LIS10441E

Job locations

Royal Brompton Hospital

Sydney Street

London

SW3 6NP

Job description

Job responsibilities

Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect)

1.4 To demonstrate specialist knowledge of voice, breathing and laryngeal function that can be applied to upper airway disorders.

1.6 To accept responsibility for patients under their management according to local clinical priorities, organising their time and making efficient use of resources in order to meet the needs of the clinical service.

1.7 To develop competencies in video fluoroscopy commensurate with their level of experience and the needs of the SLT service.

1.8 To develop competencies in tracheostomy commensurate with their level of experience and the needs of the SLT service.

1.9 To assist with the provision of the inpatient FEES service commensurate with their level of experience and the needs of the SLT service.

1.10 To demonstrate flexibility in balancing the needs of the caseload during periods of high demand.

1.11 To develop and maintain good working relationships with all healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients.

1.12 To represent and advocate for the communication and swallowing needs of patients as part of integrated multidisciplinary team interventions by contributing to meetings, ward rounds and case conferences, ensuring that a coordinated and individualised care plan is formulated.

1.13 To participate in the multi-disciplinary follow up of patients discharged from the adult services.

1.14 To maintain knowledge and skills in a range of alternative and augmentative communication systems and aids.

1.15 To demonstrate continuous professional learning by developing specialist knowledge and skills in cardiorespiratory disease through a range of learning activities including independent self-directed study, work shadowing, reflective practice, completion of online training, evidence-based practice activities, attendance at internal and external training, ensuring that learning is shared and integrated into the SLT service.

1.16 To undertake informal teaching sessions with patients and their carers relating to communication, swallowing and airway disorders relevant to their diagnosis, treatment and management plan.

1.17 To work with interpreters offering training and support as necessary.

1.18 To always adhere to infection prevention and control policy.

1.19 To provide support to SLT colleagues by working at the other site from time to time when requested by the Clinical Lead SLT.

Please review job description document for full responsibilities.