Advanced Specialist Speech & Language Therapist Adult Acute DysphagiaNHS

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Speech and Language Therapist to join the Adult Acute SLT team at Cambridge University Hospitals in a permanent Band 7 post.

We welcome applications from established Band 7 clinicians and experienced Band 6 clinicians ready to develop towards Band 7 practice. Developing Band 7 applicants should have strong Adult Acute and complex dysphagia experience, experience in instrumental swallowing assessment (FEES and/or Videofluoroscopy) with evidence of active progression towards competency, and emerging clinical leadership experience.

Depending on skills, experience and competencies, appointment will be either at Band 7 or as a Developing Band 7, commencing at Band 6.Progression from Band 6 to Band 7 will be dependent on successful completion and sign-off of predefined competencies in advanced clinical practice, instrumental assessment and clinical/operational leadership.

Main duties of the job

You will assess and manage adults with dysphagia and communication disorders across acute inpatient services, including patients with complex neurological, respiratory, medical, surgical and oncology presentations.

At Band 7, you will independently manage a highly complex caseload, demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning, contribute to complex multidisciplinary decision-making, undertake instrumental swallowing assessment and provide clinical leadership, supervision and support to colleagues.

A Developing Band 7 appointee will work towards the full Band 7 responsibilities through a predefined competency framework, commencing at Band 6 and progressing to Band 7 following successful completion of the required competencies.

The role also includes education, quality improvement and service development.

Job description

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

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 employmentThis vacancy will close at midnight on the 11th October 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on the 26th October 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 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.

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 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.