Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Band 7

This is a fantastic opportunity for an SLT experienced in neonatal care, who is passionate in supporting babies and families from the beginning of their journey on the neonatal unit.

You will be expected to reshape the current SLT service at a local neonatal unit into an integrated, dedicated neonatal service alongside a newly funded Neonatal AHP team. Following recent national funding as an outcome of the Ockendon report, neonatal AHP services are moving towards a model of care which sees the baby and family receiving holistic, individualized AHP care embedded within the neonatal team. Babies and families in Croydon will be able to receive the right support at the right point in their journey.

Main duties of the job

At a highly specialist level, to assess, diagnose, treat and discharge babies in the neonatal unit with suspected or confirmed eating & drinking problems.

To work as a member of the neonatal team, supporting staff and families in identifying babies at risk of feeding difficulties and in helping babies and their families to establish safe and positive oral feeding.

To provide education and implementation of developmental care on the neonatal unit as part of the wider team to support babies' optimal neurodevelopment.

About us

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust was formed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide services for a population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity.

Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We're also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people's homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon and our Children's Hospital at Home cares for children with long-term conditions without them having to come to hospital.

Across the NHS everyone is working hard to meet growing demand and we're no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve. As well as offering access to a range of core skills training and professional development.