Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave—a national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.

We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Job overview

Are you a passionate and experienced Speech and Language Therapist looking to specialise in neonatal and paediatric care? We are seeking a dedicated professional to join our multidisciplinary team at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. This role offers a unique opportunity to deliver specialist SLT support within a Family Integrated Care model to infants and families in both the neonatal unit and paediatric ward.

You will be working closely with Neonatal Consultants, Nursing Teams, the Infant Feeding Team, Allied Health Professionals, and Psychology colleagues to provide evidence-based care for babies and children with complex feeding and communication needs.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist assessment and management of feeding, swallowing, and early communication difficulties in neonates and children.
• Develop and implement therapy programmes based on current evidence and clinical knowledge.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic care planning and timely discharge.
• Communicate effectively with families, often around complex and emotionally sensitive issues.
• Participate in developmental care practices and contribute to service development and audit.
• Deliver training and supervision to junior SLT staff and other MDT members.
• Maintain professional standards and competencies in line with RCSLT and HCPC guidelines.
• Identify and manage feeding difficulties, swallow dysfunction, and dysphagia in neonates.
• Conduct autonomous assessments and provide specialist advice and treatment.
• Support MDT in recognising early communication needs and planning interventions.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of neonatal conditions and their impact on feeding and communication.
• Liaise effectively with internal and external professionals to ensure integrated service delivery.
• Ensure safe and effective use of SLT equipment and contribute to policy development.
• Participate in strategic planning and service evaluation with Unit Leads and Head of Therapies.
• Lead and contribute to audits, research projects, and service improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to data collection and reporting.
• Uphold clinical governance, health and safety, and risk management standards.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
• RCSLT Registration
• HCPC Registration
• Post qualification training in paediatric dysphagia
• Experience working at Paediatric Dysphagia Competency Level C

Desirable

• Relevant specialist training courses e.g. FINE, NBO, IBCLC, SOFFI D
• 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 working at Paediatric Dysphagia Competency Level D
• Experience working at Neonatal Dysphagia Competency Level C

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in paediatric SLT post qualification
• 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
• Knowledge of processes and policies relating to work in a neonatal setting
• e.g. safeguarding, developmental/educational needs, RCSLT guidelines
• 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
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals working on the neonatal
• unit
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping

Desirable

• Experience working in a neonatal or acute setting

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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX

Employer's website

https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)