Highly Specialist Speech Language Therapist. Neonatal Services Full Time NEW

Job Vacancies My account Please wait, loadingSectorJob listJob detailsHighly Specialist Speech Language Therapist. Neonatal ServicesNHS AfC: Band 7Main area Neonatal Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent HoursPart timeFlexible working22.5 hours per week Job ref 418-NICU91677-EHSite Luton and Dunstable Hospital Town Luton Salary £49,387 – £56,515 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 04/05/2026 23:59 Interview date 20/05/2026Job OverviewSpecialist Speech and Language Therapist – Neonatal ServicesLocation: 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 our 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.Main duties of the jobClinical ResponsibilitiesTo identify neonates with feeding difficulties, swallow dysfunction, and dysphagia and develop suitable management plans to reduce their risk of stress, aspiration and feeding aversion.Provide autonomous specialist assessment, treatment and advice to patients on the neonatal unit who present with feeding/swallowing difficulties.Utilise a range of informal and formal approaches to assess the neonates’ early communication and feeding skills; and to support the MDT in identifying these needs in order to inform optimum care planning and intervention.Working for our organisationBedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.Our valuesWe not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the jobKey ResponsibilitiesDetailed job description and main responsibilitiesClinical ResponsibilitiesMaintain an in-depth, comprehensive knowledge of neonatal clinical needs and presentations resulting from a range of acquired conditions.To communicate effectively and clearly with clinical colleagues regarding assessments and interventions both in spoken and written reports, as well as in day-to day liaison.Deliver therapy programmes based on current evidence and clinical knowledge to meet the needs of the infant and family’s profile.To participate in, practice and support Developmental Care practices and a Family Integrated Care approach as highlighted as good practice for neonates.To be aware of the boundaries of own practice, and to manage the associated clinical risk effectively at all times.Work closely with members of the MDT to holistically identify the range of needs of the infant and family and how best to support these.To communicate effectively, empathically and clearly with families and carers regarding issues which will sometimes be complicated or emotionally chargedTo work with the MDT to ensure timely community referrals, discharge planning meetings, liaison with other medical specialities and healthcare professionals.To be able to identify need for further specialist swallowing assessment (i.e. instrumental assessment) and liaise with appropriate teams to arrange this.To identify own training needs and maintain up to date skills.To continue to meet clinical competency requirements according to RCSLT and HCPC standards.To attend meetings and seminars/case conferences as appropriate, and liaise with and advise other disciplines, as appropriate, to achieve comprehensive, effective and confidential patient management through to discharge.To behave in a professional manner at all times.To appropriately seek and use supervision to review complex case material, develop skills, plan continuing professional development, set learning targets and address any issues which may be relevant to the fulfilment of your role.To actively engage with neonatal clinical network via network meetings and externally via relevant Clinical Excellent Networks (CEN’s).COMMUNICATIONTo communicate and liaise effectively with other professionals, patients, families/ carers and other agencies to ensure and integrated pattern of service delivery.Use effective interpersonal skills when engaging with families/ carers and other professionals.Work effectively with families requiring a language interpreter, ensuring services are accessible for all service users regardless of their language or communication status. Adapt verbal and non-verbal techniques as the situation demands.ADMINISTRATIVE/ ORGANISATIONALTo take part in service/departmental policy implementation and development.To ensure a high standard of documentation including clinical notes, reports and goals and outcome measures are maintained in a timely manner.To manage own time effectively within the demands of the service. To demonstrate good organisational skills in terms of time and caseload management.Input data into database including outcome measures and audit/ service related projectsTo monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness and evidence-based practice using appropriate outcome measuresTo demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to Professional Body, National and Local Clinical Guidelines.Ensure mandatory training is up to date annually.TEACHING AND TRAININGTo support training needs of staff on the neonatal unit related to infant feeding, swallowing and communication on the neonatal uniPerson specificationQualificationsEssential criteriaRecognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalentRCSLT RegistrationHCPC RegistrationPost qualification training in paediatric dysphagiaDesirable criteriaRelevant specialist training courses e.g. FINE, NBO, IBCLC, SOFFICompletion of HEE Modules (Introduction to Neonatal Care and Speech Language Therapy modules)Membership of relevant clinical excellence networks (CENs) e,g, PDCEN, Neonatal CENExperienceEssential criteriaPaediatric post qualification experienceExperience working with neonates and infants and/or children with complex needsExperience of independently managing feeding and swallowing difficulties associated with a neonatal or paediatric caseloadExperience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary teamExperience working at Paediatric Dysphagia Competency Level CSkillsEssential criteriaKnowledge of processes and policies relating to work in a neonatal setting e.g. safeguarding, developmental/educational needs, RCSLT guidelines etc.Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to neonates in order to assess, diagnose, plan and treat neonates and infants with swallowing difficultiesExcellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skillsAbility to recognise own training and supervision needs and use these to further enhance clinical skillsAbility to interpret and apply evidence based practice in clinical workExcellent presentation skills, both written and verbalExcellent organisational skillsUnderstanding of the roles of other professionals working on the neonatal unitKnowledge of standards of record keepingCompetence in computer skills, word processing, data management and analysisAdherence to RCSLT and HCPC guidelines, codes of ethics and professional conductAble to develop and deliver internal and external trainingIt is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.Employer certification / accreditation badgesApplicant requirementsYou must have appropriate UK professional registration.This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.Documents to downloadJob Description (PDF, 429.2KB)Person Specification (PDF, 208.4KB)Functional Aspects (PDF, 90.9KB)L&D Hospital site map (PDF, 96.8KB)Disclosure & Barring Information and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders (PDF, 78.5KB)Staff Diversity Network (PDF, 140.3KB)Information for Disabled Applicants (PDF, 98.7KB)Bedford Hospital Site map (PDF, 2.6MB)Staff Benefits (PNG, 1.6MB)Apply online nowFurther details / informal visits contactName Silvia Sampaio Job title Neonatal Governance Lead Email address silvia.lemossampaio@bedsft.nhs.uk Telephone number 01582718309List all jobs in Allied Health Professions or all sectorsSectorJob listJob details