Go back Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Highly Specialist SLT: Paediatric and NNU Acute
The closing date is 31 August 2025
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to join the Paediatric Ward and Neonatal Unit at Northwick Park Hospital (NWPH).
In this role, you will be an embedded member of the neonatal multidisciplinary team, working closely with AHPs, nursing, and medical staff. You will contribute to day-to-day care and decision-making for preterm infants and their families in supporting their feeding and early communication journey.
You will also have the opportunity to lead and contribute to quality improvement projects within the neonatal unit and maintain close links with the Operational Delivery Network (ODN) and the wider neonatal therapist network.
This role includes a supervisory element in supporting the develop of community dysphagia therapists, contributing to the growth of clinical expertise across settings.
The role also involves the assessment and management of dysphagia and communication for the inpatient Paediatric Ward.
Northwick Park Hospital serves a culturally rich and diverse population, and our multidisciplinary teams proudly reflect this diversity. We are committed to providing equitable, inclusive care and welcome applicants who share this ethos.
Main duties of the job
o Provide highly specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, and intervention for pre-term infants, baby's, children and young people (BCYP)with complex communication and swallowing needs in the acute setting.
o Demonstrate flexibility and independently prioritise clinical needs and manage time effectively to ensure a timely and responsive service, including attendance at ward rounds.
o Provide information and highly specialist advice to BCYP, their families, and other professionals involved in their care.
o Participate in multidisciplinary planning and management to achieve BY goals
o Handle complex issues skillfully, negotiating when necessary, and generating informed, evidence-based solutions to support the best outcomes for BCYP and their families.
o Adapt practice to meet individual BCYP's circumstances, with due consideration for cultural and linguistic differences.
o Apply highly specialist skills in the assessment and management of BCYP with feeding and swallowing difficulties.
o Maintain a strong commitment to developing expertise in acute paediatric and neonatal dysphagia, ensuring practice is underpinned by the latest evidence- based research.
o Take a leading role in service development within the acute setting and contribute to the design and delivery of specialist training
About us
CNWL's Harrow Speech and Language Therapy Team:
o CNWL's Team of the Year (2023-24)
o A large, supportive, and sociable MDT team with over 35 Paediatric Therapists
o Committed to staff well-being
o Easily accessible via public transport from central London
o Providing services across both community and acute settings
We offer:
o A warm welcome
o Flexible working arrangements
o A structured induction programme
o Excellent levels of support and supervision
o A wide range of CPD opportunities
o Easy access to clinical specialists across all areas
o Opportunities to participate in innovative project work across acute and community settings
o We especially welcome applications from individuals who identify as Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we strive to improve representation.
Job responsibilities
Education & Qualifications (Essential)
* Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
* Evidence Neonatal SLT competencies
* Postgraduate training in Paediatric Dysphagia (Level 5/C Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Competency Framework)
* Health and Care Professions Council registration License to Practice
* Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
* Membership in relevant CEN groups
* Evidence of CPD and relevant short courses in paediatric/infant feeding and children with complex communication needs, special needs, or disabilities
Experience
* Proven postgraduate training and experience with BCYPs and their families managing dysphagia within an acute setting.
* Experience working within a multidisciplinary team
* Assessment, treatment, and management of BCYP with complex communication difficulties and swallowing needs
* Collaborating with parents, carers, and families
* Clinical documentation: Writing clinical notes and reports
* Experience managing own caseload, teaching professionals and parents, conducting clinical audits, supervising SLTs and SLTAs, training SLT students, and leading audit/research projects
Knowledge & Skills
* Knowledge of relevant assessment tools for premature neonates, infants, and children with complex medical conditions
* Expertise in therapeutic interventions relevant to this client group
* Strong interpersonal skills, including observation, listening, and empathy, ensuring effective communication with BCYP and families
* Excellent written and spoken English with strong verbal and written presentation skills
* Problem-solving and negotiation skills
* Strong analytical and reflective skills
* Organisational skills, with the ability to work in an unpredictable environment and prioritise workload independently
* Understanding of multidisciplinary team roles in an acute setting
* Cultural awareness when working with non-English-speaking service users and diverse backgrounds
* Knowledge of national policies and procedures, particularly safeguarding children, SEN and Disability Act for children, the Children and Families Act 2014, UNICEF BFI, and FIC
* Understanding of clinical governance and audit principles
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* Recognised Speech and Language Therapy
* Degree Qualification or equivalent
* Postgraduate training in Paediatric Dysphagia
* (Level 5/C Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Competency Framework)
* Completion of relevant courses relating to the clinical area of specialism e.g. infant feeding, Soffi / FIC Level 1 /Trauma informed care.
* Health and Care Professions Council registration - License to Practice
* Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
* Membership of relevant CEN groups
* Evidence of relevant short courses and continuing professional development in paediatric/infant feeding and children with complex communication difficulties, special needs/disability
* Advanced training up to Masters level equivalent
Knowledge/ Skills
* Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to premature neonates and infants with complex medical difficulties.
* Well-established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the above client groups
* Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills and ability to communicate with CYP and families
* Good written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal.
* Good negotiation and problem-solving skills
* Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
* Good organisational skills with the ability to work in an unpredictable environment and to prioritise own workload
* Working knowledge of the roles: o of other professionals in the multidisciplinary team Involved in acute setting.
* Understanding of differences of working with non English-speaking service users and those from diverse cultures.
* Established knowledge of national policies and procedures, in particular safeguarding children, SEN and Disability Act for children, the Children and Families Act 2014 and foundation stage and National Curriculum.
* Understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
Experience
* Proven post graduate training and experience with premature babies, BCYP's and their families managing dysphagia and communication within an Acute setting
* Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
* Extensive specialist clinical experience of: Assessment, treatment and management of preterm babies and BCYP's with dysphagia, communication difficulties across arrange of conditions and needs.
* Collaborative with parents/carers and families.
* Effective clinical note and report writing
* Managing own caseload
* Teaching other professionals/parents
* Clinical audits
* Clinical supervision of SLTs and SLTAs
* Teaching and Supervising SLT students
* Managing complex conversations
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.
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
£53,751 to £60,651 a yearpro rata per annum incl. HCAS
#J-18808-Ljbffr