Highly Specialist Speech Language Therapist. Neonatal Services

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain an in-depth, comprehensive knowledge of neonatal clinical needs and presentations resulting from a range of acquired conditions.

To communicate effectively and clearly with clinical colleagues regarding assessments and interventions both in spoken and written reports, as well as in day-to day liaison.

Deliver therapy programmes based on current evidence and clinical knowledge to meet the needs of the infant and familys profile.

To participate in, practice and support Developmental Care practices and a Family Integrated Care approach as highlighted as good practice for neonates.

To be aware of the boundaries of own practice, and to manage the associated clinical risk effectively at all times.

Work closely with members of the MDT to holistically identify the range of needs of the infant and family and how best to support these.

To communicate effectively, empathically and clearly with families and carers regarding issues which will sometimes be complicated or emotionally charged

To work with the MDT to ensure timely community referrals, discharge planning meetings, liaison with other medical specialities and healthcare professionals.

To be able to identify need for further specialist swallowing assessment (i.e. instrumental assessment) and liaise with appropriate teams to arrange this.

To identify own training needs and maintain up to date skills.

To continue to meet clinical competency requirements according to RCSLT and HCPC standards.

To attend meetings and seminars/case conferences as appropriate, and liaise with and advise other disciplines, as appropriate, to achieve comprehensive, effective and confidential patient management through to discharge.

To behave in a professional manner at all times.

To appropriately seek and use supervision to review complex case material, develop skills, plan continuing professional development, set learning targets and address any issues which may be relevant to the fulfilment of your role.

To actively engage with neonatal clinical network via network meetings and externally via relevant Clinical Excellent Networks (CENs).

COMMUNICATION

To communicate and liaise effectively with other professionals, patients, families/ carers and other agencies to ensure and integrated pattern of service delivery.

Use effective interpersonal skills when engaging with families/ carers and other professionals.

Work effectively with families requiring a language interpreter, ensuring services are accessible for all service users regardless of their language or communication status. Adapt verbal and non-verbal techniques as the situation demands.

ADMINISTRATIVE/ ORGANISATIONAL

To take part in service/departmental policy implementation and development.

To ensure a high standard of documentation including clinical notes, reports and goals and outcome measures are maintained in a timely manner.

To manage own time effectively within the demands of the service. To demonstrate good organisational skills in terms of time and caseload management.

Input data into database including outcome measures and audit/ service related projects

To monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness and evidence-based practice using appropriate outcome measures

To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to Professional Body, National and Local Clinical Guidelines.

Ensure mandatory training is up to date annually.

TEACHING AND TRAINING

To support training needs of staff on the neonatal unit related to infant feeding, swallowing and communication on the neonatal uni

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
• RCSLT Registration
• HCPC Registration
• Post qualification training in paediatric dysphagia

Desirable

• Relevant specialist training courses e.g. FINE, NBO, IBCLC, SOFFI
• Completion of HEE Modules (Introduction to Neonatal Care and Speech Language Therapy modules)
• Membership of relevant clinical excellence networks (CENs) e,g, PDCEN, Neonatal CEN

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 4 years paediatric post qualification experience
• Experience working with neonates and infants and/or children with complex needs
• Experience of independently managing feeding and swallowing difficulties associated with a neonatal or paediatric caseload
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience working at Paediatric Dysphagia Competency Level C

Skills

Essential

• Knowledge of processes and policies relating to work in a neonatal setting e.g. safeguarding, developmental/educational needs, RCSLT guidelines etc.
• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to neonates in order to assess, diagnose, plan and treat neonates and infants with swallowing difficulties
• Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Ability to recognise own training and supervision needs and use these to further enhance clinical skills
• Ability to interpret and apply evidence based practice in clinical work
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent organisational skills
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals working on the neonatal unit
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping
• Competence in computer skills, word processing, data management and analysis
• Adherence to RCSLT and HCPC guidelines, codes of ethics and professional conduct
• Able to develop and deliver internal and external training

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Luton

LU4 0DZ

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)