Job summary
We are looking for an acute paediatric and neonatal dysphagia specialist Speech and Language Therapist to provide comprehensive, specialist assessment and management of babies and children with feeding difficulties for our acute and outpatient services based at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children (St Helier Hospital site) and occasionally Epsom General Hospital.
You will be working on the neonatal unit and paediatric ward. You will lead a Videofluoroscopy clinic, participate in a monthly MDT feeding clinic, provide support and training and liaise closely with the wider MDT and community colleagues.
The Speech and Language department consists of 14 team members spread across 2 hospital sites.
Clinical supervision is provided.
Fixed term ending on December 2024
Main duties of the job
You will be working as part of a MDT undertaking comprehensive assessment and management of a specialist paediatric and neonatal Dysphagia caseload in both acute and outpatient settings, explaining and discussing treatment options and developing an agreed individualised, outcome-focussed treatment plan with the child's parent / carers using clinical knowledge and sound clinical reasoning skills.
Performing developmentally appropriate clinical assessment of feeding behaviour and the swallowing mechanism, making appropriate recommendations and implementing intervention strategies.
Providing expertise and specialist speech and language therapy advice and consultation to other professionals in relation to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care within your specialist area, including participation in a monthly MDT feeding clinic.
Lead the Videofluoroscopy clinic, identifying appropriate patients and co-ordinating the VFSS process for inpatient and community patients
Actively participating in discharge planning and completing required onward referrals and providing appropriate handover information to community services.
Working autonomously as an independent practitioner, within defined aims, and professional guidelines, and be fully accountable for professional actions and all aspects of your own work.
About us
Our ambition is to provide an outstanding level of care to our patients and communities.
Above all we value respect. This means everyone at the Trust - whether a member of staff, a patient or their loved ones - can expect to be treated with respect, whatever their role or background. This ensures kind, positive, professional teamwork, delivering great care to every patient, every day.By choosing to work here, you also choose to value and role model respect. This means having respect for the Trust and your roles and responsibilities, as well as colleagues, patients and anyone who interacts with the Trust.
We offeran extensive range of services,including cancer,pathology,surgery, andgynaecologyto 500,000 people in south west London and north east Surrey. We operate two busy general hospitals,Epsom HospitalandSt Helier Hospital, andrun services from other locations, includingSutton Hospital. St Helier Hospital is home to theSouth West Thames Renal and Transplantation UnitandQueen Mary's Hospital for Children, while Epsom Hospital is home to theSouth West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC). Both Epsom and St Helier hospitals haveAccident and Emergency departments (A&E)andMaternity services (Obstetrics).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- Demonstrate sound theoretical knowledge of the speech and language therapy process and skills necessary for the management of this specialist caseload (Neonatal and Paediatric dysphagia)
- Perform developmentally appropriate clinical assessment of the feeding behaviour and swallowing mechanism
- Diagnose sucking and swallowing disorders and determining the abnormal anatomy/physiology associated with deficits
- Identify disorders that may impact the infants ability to obtain nutrition
- Recommend and implement intervention strategies that are appropriate for the infants medical condition, behavioural status, swallowing competencies and overall safety.
- Identify potential physiological compromise and risk for aspiration and advise on appropriate precautions to minimise the risks.
- Lead the Videofluoroscopy clinic, identifying appropriate patients and co-ordinating the VFSS process for inpatient and community patients.
- To provide expertise and specialist speech and language therapy advice and consultation to other professionals in relation to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care within your specialist area, including participation in the MDT feeding clinic.
- To be involved in the provision of support, guidance and information to parents and other professionals regarding your specialist area
- To work as part of the MDT in undertaking comprehensive assessment of this specialist caseload, explaining and discussing treatment options and developing an agreed individualised, outcome-focussed treatment plan with the childs parent / carers using clinical knowledge and sound clinical reasoning skills
- Actively participate in discharge planning and completing required onward referrals and providing appropriate handover information.
- Providing information to families regarding continued services once the child is discharged
- Be clinically responsible for the management of an identified specialist caseload; to assess and review level of need and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and time management principles
- To work within and adhere to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, The Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Practice, relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines.
- To disseminate knowledge and skills gained from clinical experience with colleagues to ensure continuing professional development and service improvement.
Communication
- To communicate information in accessible formats to parents / carers, and other professionals and agencies.
- To have an awareness of the systems and processes of other agencies in order to work collaboratively with these agencies.
- To refer children and / or families to other appropriate agencies as required.
- To demonstrate excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.
- To communicate complex and / or sensitive information in understandable form to parents / carers, which may be unwelcome or difficult to accept.
- To communicate information effectively and work collaboratively with partner agencies and professionals in health, social services, education and the voluntary sector to ensure the protection of vulnerable children. This may include some sensitive information.
- To use IT to communicate via e-mail, to obtain info from the internet / intranet and to obtain / input data on information systems.
- To provide professional reports (written and verbal) when required
- To communicate effectively with other members of the speech and language therapy team, admin staff and Team Leader to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of the paediatric speech and language therapy service.
Research and development
- To participate in developing innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness
- To work with the MDT team to initiate and undertake Research/Clinical Governance /audit projects within area of speech therapy
- To represent the team within multi-disciplinary systems of clinical governance within the Trust
- To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects as required
- To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines
Management
- The speech and language therapist will be expected to support and contribute to collaborative working with patients, carers and colleagues internally and externally planning and delivering services
- To assume responsibility for delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including participation in working groups and policy development groups within area of expertise
- To develop care protocols/packages relating to specialist area in liaison with Team Manager to improve patient care
- To contribute to interagency/multi-disciplinary team building and policy development with appropriate support from a senior speech and language therapist.
- To be aware of, adhere to and implement service and team plans and policies
- To use specialist knowledge to contribute to service/policy developments as appropriate
- To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate
- To be responsible for competent use and maintenance reporting of all equipment and resources used
Professional Development
- To work autonomously as an independent practitioner, within defined aims, and professional guidelines, and fully accountable for professional actions and all aspects of your own work.
- To actively promote and ensure that all aspects of clinical management offered is of a high clinical standard and evidence based in line with professional codes of conduct and local policies and procedures
- To demonstrate an on-going commitment to continuing personal and professional development and to maintain an up-to-date portfolio of evidence of this work
- To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development needs
- To participate in Individual Performance Review at pre-determined intervals ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans, including specific objectives relating the clinical specialism
- To attend relevant meetings and special interest groups
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
- Demonstrate sound theoretical knowledge of the speech and language therapy process and skills necessary for the management of this specialist caseload (Neonatal and Paediatric dysphagia)
- Perform developmentally appropriate clinical assessment of the feeding behaviour and swallowing mechanism
- Diagnose sucking and swallowing disorders and determining the abnormal anatomy/physiology associated with deficits
- Identify disorders that may impact the infants ability to obtain nutrition
- Recommend and implement intervention strategies that are appropriate for the infants medical condition, behavioural status, swallowing competencies and overall safety.
- Identify potential physiological compromise and risk for aspiration and advise on appropriate precautions to minimise the risks.
- Lead the Videofluoroscopy clinic, identifying appropriate patients and co-ordinating the VFSS process for inpatient and community patients.
- To provide expertise and specialist speech and language therapy advice and consultation to other professionals in relation to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and care within your specialist area, including participation in the MDT feeding clinic.
- To be involved in the provision of support, guidance and information to parents and other professionals regarding your specialist area
- To work as part of the MDT in undertaking comprehensive assessment of this specialist caseload, explaining and discussing treatment options and developing an agreed individualised, outcome-focussed treatment plan with the childs parent / carers using clinical knowledge and sound clinical reasoning skills
- Actively participate in discharge planning and completing required onward referrals and providing appropriate handover information.
- Providing information to families regarding continued services once the child is discharged
- Be clinically responsible for the management of an identified specialist caseload; to assess and review level of need and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and time management principles
- To work within and adhere to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, The Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Practice, relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines.
- To disseminate knowledge and skills gained from clinical experience with colleagues to ensure continuing professional development and service improvement.
Communication
- To communicate information in accessible formats to parents / carers, and other professionals and agencies.
- To have an awareness of the systems and processes of other agencies in order to work collaboratively with these agencies.
- To refer children and / or families to other appropriate agencies as required.
- To demonstrate excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.
- To communicate complex and / or sensitive information in understandable form to parents / carers, which may be unwelcome or difficult to accept.
- To communicate information effectively and work collaboratively with partner agencies and professionals in health, social services, education and the voluntary sector to ensure the protection of vulnerable children. This may include some sensitive information.
- To use IT to communicate via e-mail, to obtain info from the internet / intranet and to obtain / input data on information systems.
- To provide professional reports (written and verbal) when required
- To communicate effectively with other members of the speech and language therapy team, admin staff and Team Leader to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of the paediatric speech and language therapy service.
Research and development
- To participate in developing innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness
- To work with the MDT team to initiate and undertake Research/Clinical Governance /audit projects within area of speech therapy
- To represent the team within multi-disciplinary systems of clinical governance within the Trust
- To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects as required
- To gather and update activity data accurately and regularly, ensuring the provision of such information promptly within local Trust guidelines
Management
- The speech and language therapist will be expected to support and contribute to collaborative working with patients, carers and colleagues internally and externally planning and delivering services
- To assume responsibility for delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including participation in working groups and policy development groups within area of expertise
- To develop care protocols/packages relating to specialist area in liaison with Team Manager to improve patient care
- To contribute to interagency/multi-disciplinary team building and policy development with appropriate support from a senior speech and language therapist.
- To be aware of, adhere to and implement service and team plans and policies
- To use specialist knowledge to contribute to service/policy developments as appropriate
- To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate
- To be responsible for competent use and maintenance reporting of all equipment and resources used
Professional Development
- To work autonomously as an independent practitioner, within defined aims, and professional guidelines, and fully accountable for professional actions and all aspects of your own work.
- To actively promote and ensure that all aspects of clinical management offered is of a high clinical standard and evidence based in line with professional codes of conduct and local policies and procedures
- To demonstrate an on-going commitment to continuing personal and professional development and to maintain an up-to-date portfolio of evidence of this work
- To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and mentors and identify own strengths and development needs
- To participate in Individual Performance Review at pre-determined intervals ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans, including specific objectives relating the clinical specialism
- To attend relevant meetings and special interest groups
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
- Relevant postgraduate training and experience in the paediatric/neonatal communication and swallowing difficulties
- Health Professions Council - Licence to Practice registration
Desirable
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience of working with children and young people with Dysphagia
- Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex feeding and swallowing disorders associated with a paediatric caseload
- Experience in assessment and treatment of feeding and swallowing difficulties in premature babies, neonates and infants
- Experience of working independently and within MDT in a hospital setting
- Maintenance of clinical knowledge base/level of professional competency across the range of developmental and acquired communication and swallowing disorders to ensure evidence-based practice
- Maintenance of clinical knowledge base/level of professional competency across the range of developmental and acquired communication and swallowing disorders to ensure evidence-based practice
- Sound knowledge of clinical practice, national policies and issues relating to the delivery of Speech and language therapy Service within this specialist area
- Previous experience of videofluoroscopy
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills and ability to communicate sensitive and complex information
- Good time management and organisational skills
- Problem solving skills
- Good interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Effective team working skills
- Good written and spoken English
Other
Essential
- Computer literacy/IT skills in MS Word, Excel, power point
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
- Relevant postgraduate training and experience in the paediatric/neonatal communication and swallowing difficulties
- Health Professions Council - Licence to Practice registration
Desirable
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience of working with children and young people with Dysphagia
- Proven competence in the independent assessment, treatment and management of complex feeding and swallowing disorders associated with a paediatric caseload
- Experience in assessment and treatment of feeding and swallowing difficulties in premature babies, neonates and infants
- Experience of working independently and within MDT in a hospital setting
- Maintenance of clinical knowledge base/level of professional competency across the range of developmental and acquired communication and swallowing disorders to ensure evidence-based practice
- Maintenance of clinical knowledge base/level of professional competency across the range of developmental and acquired communication and swallowing disorders to ensure evidence-based practice
- Sound knowledge of clinical practice, national policies and issues relating to the delivery of Speech and language therapy Service within this specialist area
- Previous experience of videofluoroscopy
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills and ability to communicate sensitive and complex information
- Good time management and organisational skills
- Problem solving skills
- Good interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Effective team working skills
- Good written and spoken English
Other
Essential
- Computer literacy/IT skills in MS Word, Excel, power point
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).
