Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) Neonatal Unit

The closing date is 27 April 2026

Job summary

Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

Main duties of the job

Band 7: £49,387 - £56,515

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours

Contract: Permanent

Are you a skilled, proactive Speech and Language Therapist with excellent communication skills and a passion for neonatal and paediatric care? We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity to join our Neonatal and Acute Paediatric SLT service at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

This post offers the chance to shape and deliver a high quality, family centred service across our Neonatal Unit and acute paediatric wards. We welcome applications for a minimum of 0.3 WTE worked on the NICU, with flexibility to tailor the remaining hours within our evolving paediatric inpatient service. Part-time and job share arrangements are warmly welcomed.

About us

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and Disability, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

Details

Date posted

13 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata, per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

REF2154O

Job locations

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Cosham

Portsmouth

England

PO6 3LY


Job description

Job responsibilities

As the sole SLT for both Neonatal and Acute Paediatrics, the successful candidate will need to be resourceful, confident, and able to work autonomously, drawing on strong communication skills and a proactive approach to managing a varied and complex caseload. Our paediatric service is entering a period of growth and transformation, and this role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to scoping, shaping, and developing the future model of care.

For a full list of roles and responsibilities, please see the attached Job Description

We would love to hear from you. Informal enquiries and visits are warmly encouraged. Please contact the Therapy Pathway Lead (kerry.herriott2@nhs.net).

For team members looking to further progress in their careers, we are able to offer opportunities for level 5 and Level 6 apprenticeships.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As the sole SLT for both Neonatal and Acute Paediatrics, the successful candidate will need to be resourceful, confident, and able to work autonomously, drawing on strong communication skills and a proactive approach to managing a varied and complex caseload. Our paediatric service is entering a period of growth and transformation, and this role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to scoping, shaping, and developing the future model of care.

For a full list of roles and responsibilities, please see the attached Job Description

We would love to hear from you. Informal enquiries and visits are warmly encouraged. Please contact the Therapy Pathway Lead (kerry.herriott2@nhs.net).

For team members looking to further progress in their careers, we are able to offer opportunities for level 5 and Level 6 apprenticeships.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC registered SLT with RCSLT membership.
  • Strong clinical experience in neonatal and/or paediatric feeding and swallowing.
  • Evidence based specialist skills in infant and child feeding, including premature and medically complex babies.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and clinical reasoning skills.
  • Ability to work autonomously within demanding and emotionally sensitive environments.
  • Commitment to MDT working and inclusive, family centred practice.
  • Experience supporting junior staff and students and leading training.

Desirable

  • Advanced competencies in neonatal and paediatric feeding (RCSLT EDS frameworks).
  • Experience participating in/or leading VFSS - training can be supported.
  • FICare, FINE, NBO, IBCLC or recognised infant feeding training.
  • Experience in neonatal or acute paediatric inpatient settings.
  • Involvement in service development, audit, or research.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC registered SLT with RCSLT membership.
  • Strong clinical experience in neonatal and/or paediatric feeding and swallowing.
  • Evidence based specialist skills in infant and child feeding, including premature and medically complex babies.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and clinical reasoning skills.
  • Ability to work autonomously within demanding and emotionally sensitive environments.
  • Commitment to MDT working and inclusive, family centred practice.
  • Experience supporting junior staff and students and leading training.

Desirable

  • Advanced competencies in neonatal and paediatric feeding (RCSLT EDS frameworks).
  • Experience participating in/or leading VFSS - training can be supported.
  • FICare, FINE, NBO, IBCLC or recognised infant feeding training.
  • Experience in neonatal or acute paediatric inpatient settings.
  • Involvement in service development, audit, or research.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Address

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Cosham

Portsmouth

England

PO6 3LY


Employer's website

https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/work-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Address

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Cosham

Portsmouth

England

PO6 3LY


Employer's website

https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/work-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Therapy Pathway Lead

Kerry Herrriot

kerry.herriott2@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

13 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata, per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

REF2154O

Job locations

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Cosham

Portsmouth

England

PO6 3LY


Supporting documents

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