Deputy Lead Speech & Language Therapist
| Posting date: | 19 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £55,690.00 to £62,682.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £55690.00 - £62682.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 February 2026 |
| Location: | Manchester, M20 4BX |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | C9413-26-0044 |
Summary
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CLINICAL Responsibilities for Patient Care 1. Responsible for providing a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy service for head and neck and other cancer patients at the Trust. 2. To be responsible for own caseload management of highly complex patients to inpatients and outpatients, with complex disorders of swallowing and communication. 3. To assess, diagnose and implement SLT management of complex swallowing problems, carrying out and interpreting instrumental assessment of swallowing where appropriate. 4. To assess, diagnose and implement SLT management of complex communication problems and to have an awareness of appropriate communication strategies and aids including assistive technology 5. To manage patients with tracheostomy, laryngectomy and other voice conditions. You will not be required to change speech valves. 6. Active participation within the multidisciplinary team. 7. To independently undertake videofluoroscopy assessments as per national and Trust guidelines. 8. To independently undertake scoping of patients using nasendoscopy for the purpose of FEES as per national and Trust guidelines. 9. Undertake assessments to provide appropriate specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes to inform clinical judgements / decisions for case management. 10. To use advanced communication skills to assess, educate and treat oncology patients. 11. Communicate complex information from assessment to patients / carers / relatives in a format that will enable them to fully understand the implications and actively participate in the care programme. 12. Negotiate with patients / carers / relatives around individual case management, recognising barriers if communication. 13. Demonstrate clinical effectiveness by using evidence-based practice and outcome measures. 14. To effectively examine and assess patients, identify their problems and needs and ensure that patients' medical, psychological, social, environmental and cultural factors are taken into account. 15. To utilise examination and assessment findings to competently plan and carry out highly specialist programmes of treatment from a range of therapeutic options appropriate to each patient, using evidence based practice. 16. To be able to relate assessment results to the presenting disease/pathology/ impairment. 17. To set appropriate treatment aims and objectives in negotiation with the patient and/or carer. 18. To take responsibility for devising highly specialist programmes of care for other professionals to carry out and for ensuring they are carried out appropriately. 19. To monitor and evaluate programmes of care carried out by other professionals and carers. 20. To appropriately refer patients for videofluoroscopy and FEES examinations. 21. To provide a lead role in videoswallow and FEES clinics. 22. To provide highly specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients with communication impairment. 23. To monitor and review care plans against outcomes and adjust care plans to facilitate achievement of goals 24. To produce, disseminate and update reports/guidelines regarding individual care plans to patients, their carers and other Health Care professionals. Management /Leadership 1. To be directly responsible for the day-to-day management of a specialist speech and language therapy service at the Christie hospital and ensure all staff comply with professional standards. 2. To support the recruitment and deployment of the SLT staff. 3. To ensure staff are appraised annually, have clear objectives which link to department, division/directorate or corporate objectives and a personal development plan. 4. To be responsible for the development and / implementation of policies and procedures for speech and language therapy. 5. To be responsible for recruitment and selection of staff in line with the Trust's Processes and Standards. 6. To directly manage, monitor and evaluate the workload of the SLT staff and ensure adherence to professional standards. 7. To ensure complaints are managed within trust procedures and that recommendations and independent reviews are instigated. 8. To be responsible for the recording, analysis and interpretation of departmental activity and statistics as required for service planning. 9. To be responsible for the daily monitoring of attendance, sickness, and absence of the dietetic staff. 10. To represent the speech and language oncology service at meetings internally and externally. 11. To ensure all health and safety requirements are met, to include undertaking formal risk assessment and formulating action plans. 12. Ensure performance issues are dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner and follow the Trust's Procedures where formal action is necessary. 13. To plan, present and/or teach at internal, national and international seminars, conferences and workshops. 14. To develop innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting, clinical effectiveness and building local evidence base 15. To initiate and undertake Clinical Governance /audit projects within area of clinical expertise 16. To represent the team within multi-disciplinary systems of clinical governance within the Trust. 17. To participate, as a highly specialist resource, in the relevant research projects, on a MDT basis, within the Trust.