Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Paediatric Feeding

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Paediatric Feeding

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We have an exciting new position available within our redesigned Complex Paediatric Dysphagia Service, working alongside our Advanced Clinical Practitioner SLT at Royal Preston Hospital. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference across our Level 3 Neonatal Unit, paediatric inpatient ward, and outpatient clinic.

In this role, you will collaborate with our Clinical Lead to deliver a highly specialised service for young children aged 0-5 with complex feeding difficulties. You will engage with a variety of cases in complex dysphagia and participate in our weekly videofluoroscopy clinic. You will conduct videofluoroscopy assessments for both inpatients and outpatients, providing expert diagnosis and tailored management plans. Training will be provided if you are not already trained in this area.

We are looking for an enthusiastic team player who thrives in a dynamic hospital environment. Training opportunities are available, and we may consider a development post for the right candidate.

You will join a large, friendly team of speech and language therapists covering various specialist services. Our department is rated 'GOLD' on the STAR quality assurance framework, reflecting our strong commitment to evidence-based practice. We have well-established videofluoroscopy and FEES services, with training available in these areas.

To learn more about us, visit our X page @SLT_LTHTR. We look forward to welcoming you to our team!

Main duties of the job

You will provide comprehensive dysphagia assessment and intervention for a varied paediatric caseload, including infants on the neonatal unit and paediatric wards. You will regularly engage in supervision with the clinical lead, supporting clinical problem-solving and service improvement initiatives.

Your role will involve educating the multidisciplinary team within the trust on aspects of Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) relevant to your designated clinical area, thereby raising the profile of the SLT service. Working closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team, you will demonstrate excellent communication skills to ensure a cohesive approach to patient care.

You will assist in the teaching and clinical supervision of students and junior therapy staff, taking an active role in multidisciplinary teaching sessions within the paediatric speech and language therapy team.

Job responsibilities

• To communicate and collaborate with all Speech and Language Therapy stakeholders
• To provide leadership and highly specialist clinical skills within a clinical specialty
• To support personal and people development
• To ensure the health, safety and security of self and colleagues
• To support service development and planning
• To support the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda within the Speech and Language Therapy
• To support equality of opportunity and access within the Speech and Language Therapy Service for both staff and patients
• To directly support the delivery of therapy to patients
• To provide leadership and management support

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

• Highly specialised knowledge in clinical area
• Completion of the RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Framework - Level C (Specialist level dysphagia practitioner)
• Able to assess, diagnose and manage complex dysphagia
• Completion of the Neonatal Dysphagia Competency Framework - Level C (Specialist Level Dysphagia Practitioner)

Qualifications & Education

• HCPC registration
• RCSLT registration
• Graduate or post-graduate qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
• Evidence of CPD in relevant areas working towards Masters level.

Skills & Abilities

• Highly specialist skills in clinical area
• Advanced diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills
• Teaching experience
• Awareness of NHS plan and relevant national guidance
• Experience of leading a team
• Excel and data collation skills
• Ability to work with tracheostomy
• Analytical skills

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.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum, pro rata