Overview
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Neonatal Services. Location: Bedfordshire Hospitals (Luton & Bedford).
We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Speech and Language Therapist to deliver specialist support to infants and families within the Family Integrated Care model across neonatal units. This role involves the assessment, diagnosis, and management of early communication and feeding challenges in premature and unwell infants. You will work as a core member of the neonatal multidisciplinary team, collaborating closely with Neonatal Consultants, Nursing Teams, the Infant Feeding Team, AHPs, Psychologists, and families to provide high-quality, evidence-based care.
Responsibilities
* CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Identify neonates with feeding difficulties, swallow dysfunction, and dysphagia; develop suitable management plans to reduce risk of stress, aspiration and feeding aversion.
* Provide autonomous specialist assessment, treatment and advice to patients on the neonatal unit with feeding/swallowing difficulties.
* Utilise informal and formal approaches to assess neonates’ early communication and feeding skills; support the MDT in identifying needs to inform optimum care planning and intervention.
* Maintain in-depth knowledge of neonatal clinical needs and presentations; communicate effectively with clinical colleagues regarding assessments and interventions in reports and day-to-day liaison.
* Deliver therapy programmes based on current evidence to meet the infant and family’s profile; participate in Developmental Care practices and Family Integrated Care.
* Work with the MDT to identify needs of the infant and family and support timely community referrals, discharge planning, and liaison with other specialties.
* Identify need for further specialist swallowing assessment (e.g., instrumental assessment) and liaise with appropriate teams to arrange this.
* Maintain professional development and meet clinical competency requirements according to RCSLT and HCPC standards; participate in meetings, seminars, and case conferences as appropriate.
* Demonstrate professional conduct, seek supervision for complex cases, and engage with neonatal clinical networks and Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs).
Communication
* Communicate and liaise effectively with other professionals, patients, families/caregivers and other agencies to ensure integrated service delivery.
* Use effective interpersonal skills with families requiring language interpreters; adapt verbal and non-verbal techniques as needed.
Administrative/Organisational
* Participate in service/departmental policy implementation and development.
* Maintain high standards of documentation including clinical notes, reports, and outcome measures; manage time and caseload effectively.
* Input data into databases including outcome measures and undertake audit/service-related projects; monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness using outcome measures.
* Adhere to Professional Body, National and Local Clinical Guidelines; ensure mandatory training is up to date annually.
Teaching and Training
* Support training needs of staff on the neonatal unit related to infant feeding, swallowing and communication.
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/infants and/or children with complex needs
* Experience independently managing feeding and swallowing difficulties in neonatal/paediatric caseloads
* Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Experience working at Paediatric Dysphagia Competency Level C
Skills
Essential
* Knowledge of neonatal policies and safeguarding; knowledge of assessment tools for neonates with swallowing difficulties
* Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and organisational skills
* Ability to identify training needs, apply evidence-based practice, and work with others on the neonatal unit
* Ability to develop and deliver internal and external training
Other Information
* Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act; DBS submission is required.
* Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome; further information available from UK Visas and Immigration.
* UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
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