Specialist Neonatal and Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist
NHS Staines-Upon-Thames, England, United Kingdom
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Neonatal / Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly team of acute Speech and Language Therapists at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust. The post will be based at Kingston Hospital working predominantly on the Neonatal and Paediatric wards.
You will be the sole Speech and Language Therapist for the neonatal unit / paediatric wards, therefore the ability to work autonomously is essential. There is an AHP therapy team, who you will develop strong links with and take part in an AHP-led developmental ward round, and you will gain professional support from the wider Adult Acute Team and Community Paediatric SLT team. A comprehensive supervision structure is in place, and you will be well supported in your role by the SLT department and wider MDT.
Experience of working with neonates and children with feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties in an acute or community setting is essential. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and prioritising a caseload of neonatal and paediatric in-patients presenting with a range of feeding / swallowing difficulties. Collaborative joint working with the community teams is strongly encouraged. Occasional attendance at paediatric outpatient clinics may be required from time to time and there will be opportunities to help develop the service in collaboration with the Principal SLT and paediatric and neonatal teams and community teams.
Main duties of the job include:
* Independently assessing, diagnosing, treating, and discharging neonates and paediatric patients with suspected or confirmed feeding, swallowing, eating, drinking and communication difficulties within the neonatal unit and paediatric wards.
* Working collaboratively as an integral member of the neonatal and paediatric multidisciplinary team, supporting staff and families to identify babies and children at risk of dysphagia and communication challenges to establish safe, effective, and positive oral feeding and supportive communication practices.
* Providing expert clinical advice and/or interventions for complex neonatal and paediatric dysphagia cases and contributing to the development and implementation of evidence-based feeding and communication pathways.
About Us:
Your growth and personal happiness matter to us. After all, we can't expect the best from you if we don't invest in your development and nurture your wellbeing. From the moment you join us, we're committed to fostering your professional and personal development within a supportive, empowering environment.
Person Specification:
Essential:
* RCSLT accredited degree in Speech & Language Therapy
* Post graduate qualification (e.g. MSc/post graduate diploma or certificate at Intermediate or Advanced level) in Paediatric and Neonatal Dysphagia
* RCSLT Level C Specialist Dysphagia Practitioner
* RCSLT Level C in Neonatal Dysphagia
* Extensive post qualification experience working within paediatric/infant dysphagia
Desirable:
* Post graduate qualification (e.g. MSc/post graduate diploma or certificate) or RCSLT competencies in Videofluoroscopy or FEES
* Ability to carry out videofluoroscopy or FEES independently
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
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