Job summary
To provide specialist speech and language therapy input to the Neonatal Service as part of a 12-month fixed term contract/ secondment, working closely with the neonatal multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality assessment and management of infant feeding and early communication needs.
The main role of this post is to deliver a specialist speech and language therapy service for neonates and infants within the neonatal unit, including pre-term and medically complex infants. This will involve comprehensive assessment and management of feeding and swallowing difficulties, support with parent education, and contribution to discharge planning to promote safe and timely transitions from hospital to home.
In addition to direct clinical work, the post holder will provide specialist advice, training, and support to neonatal staff, contributing to service development and the establishment of sustainable neonatal speech and language therapy pathways during the period of maternity cover. The post holder will work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team, including neonatologists, nurses, dietitians, and occupational therapists, to ensure integrated and effective care.
Main duties of the job
To provide an expert speech and language therapy opinion for neonates and infants within the Neonatal Service, working in conjunction with the wider neonatal multidisciplinary team to support safe feeding, swallowing, and early communication development.
To provide clinical leadership and specialist support within the Neonatal Service, contributing to the supervision, guidance, and education of neonatal staff in relation to infant feeding and communication needs, and supporting the maintenance of high standards of clinical practice during the period of maternity cover.
To maintain and apply expert knowledge in neonatal feeding, swallowing, and early communication development, sharing this expertise with colleagues within the neonatal unit and the wider hospital trust, and contributing to service development and best practice.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
****If internal applicant appointed - Available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity. (With current line manager's agreement). ****
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Early intervention and individualised infant care, using a Family Integrated Care approach on the Neonatal Unit (NNU) aims to reduce the developmental risks for infants born prematurely or withperinatal problems. The Specialist Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist will use specialist skills to manage their own complex caseload, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.
They will be responsible for the assessment and management of the safety of the neonates swallow using an individualised approach to assessment and intervention. They will support timely discharge and provide anticipatory guidance to ease transition to home. Teaching andtraining alongside the AHP team to the wider unit forms part of this post. The post holder will:
- - Utilise advanced skills and support to facilitate high quality, individualised care to infants and parents/carers in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, ensuring that the needs of the infant and their family are placed at the centre of care delivery- Demonstrate active participation and leadership in projects and activities that support developmental care and family integrated care Demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice
Job description
Job responsibilities
Early intervention and individualised infant care, using a Family Integrated Care approach on the Neonatal Unit (NNU) aims to reduce the developmental risks for infants born prematurely or withperinatal problems. The Specialist Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist will use specialist skills to manage their own complex caseload, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.
They will be responsible for the assessment and management of the safety of the neonates swallow using an individualised approach to assessment and intervention. They will support timely discharge and provide anticipatory guidance to ease transition to home. Teaching andtraining alongside the AHP team to the wider unit forms part of this post. The post holder will:
- - Utilise advanced skills and support to facilitate high quality, individualised care to infants and parents/carers in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, ensuring that the needs of the infant and their family are placed at the centre of care delivery- Demonstrate active participation and leadership in projects and activities that support developmental care and family integrated care Demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree accredited by RCSLT
- Health Professions Council license to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
- Registered member of the RCSLT
- Post Graduate training in Neonatal feeding difficulties.
Desirable
- MSc or specialist postgraduate training/ demonstrable experience to masters level equivalent
- Member of appropriate Clinical Excellence Networks.
- Competence and demonstrable experience in conducting, interpreting, and analysing VFSS to support diagnosis and management of patients presenting with complex paediatric dysphagia
- Competency in the management of tracheostomy patients
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Substantial demonstrable SLT experience post qualification with significant demonstrable experience working within the neonatal specialism and with children with complex feeding difficulties.
- In-depth proven knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and proven evidence of highly specialist clinical expertise relevant to the specialism.
- Significant demonstrable experience of infant feeding using a range of assessment and therapy techniques within an acute setting.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of conducting audits/research
- Demonstrable experience of setting up new projects/initiatives/care pathway
- Interest in developing research audit skills
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Able to negotiate with client / carer and medical / AHP teams around individual case management.
- Able to communicate complex, sensitive condition-related information from assessment to patients and carers.
- Ability to give clear advice, instruction and training to patients, carers and other professionals relating to complex communication/ swallowing disorders.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree accredited by RCSLT
- Health Professions Council license to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
- Registered member of the RCSLT
- Post Graduate training in Neonatal feeding difficulties.
Desirable
- MSc or specialist postgraduate training/ demonstrable experience to masters level equivalent
- Member of appropriate Clinical Excellence Networks.
- Competence and demonstrable experience in conducting, interpreting, and analysing VFSS to support diagnosis and management of patients presenting with complex paediatric dysphagia
- Competency in the management of tracheostomy patients
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Substantial demonstrable SLT experience post qualification with significant demonstrable experience working within the neonatal specialism and with children with complex feeding difficulties.
- In-depth proven knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and proven evidence of highly specialist clinical expertise relevant to the specialism.
- Significant demonstrable experience of infant feeding using a range of assessment and therapy techniques within an acute setting.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of conducting audits/research
- Demonstrable experience of setting up new projects/initiatives/care pathway
- Interest in developing research audit skills
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Able to negotiate with client / carer and medical / AHP teams around individual case management.
- Able to communicate complex, sensitive condition-related information from assessment to patients and carers.
- Ability to give clear advice, instruction and training to patients, carers and other professionals relating to complex communication/ swallowing disorders.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
