We are:

• A large supportive, sociable and friendly MDT team of over 35 Paediatric Therapists
• Committed to the well-being of our staff
• Easily accessible via public transport from central London and neighbouring counties
• Providing services to both community and acute settin

In joining you will receive:

• A consistent caseload to see through assessment, ongoing therapy and up to discharge
• Opportunities to take a lead in projects and working groups linked to specialist areas of interest
• Opportunities to provide support and supervision for developing therapists, therapy assistants and speech and language therapy students

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Main duties of the job

Acute:

To assess, differentially diagnose and manage infants referred on the Neonatal Unit accessing the second opinion from SLT clinical lead/colleagues as appropriate

To be flexible and independently prioritise clinical need and management of time on the unit to ensure timely and responsive service and attendance at ward rounds appropriately, with support from the Clinical Specialist SLTs within the acute unit

To demonstrate relevant experience and specialist skills in working with infants and children with feeding and swallowing difficulties. To demonstrates a keen interest to develop highly specialist knowledge in acute paediatric and neonatal dysphagia underpinned by current evidence-based practice, e.g. developmental care, family integrated care

To take a delegated lead and participate in specific service developments within neonates and to participate in the development and delivery of specialist teaching/training to the multidisciplinary team within the Trust and externally as requested

To maintain own continuing professional development (CPD) and to contribute to in-service and multi-disciplinary training programmes by attending and presenting training sessions

To develop skills and knowledge within the acute and neonatal care through supervision, attendance at relevant training and courses and self-directed learning.

About us

This post will offer you the opportunity to develop and enhance your skills within the provision of a highly specialist SLT service to infants and children with complex needs and dysphagia in community and acute settings. You will have the opportunity to develop highly specialist skills in the assessment and management ofbabies on the Neonatal Unit at Northwick Park Hospital as well as with infants/children admitted to theAcute Ward.

You will work closely and collaboratively with the neonatal therapies team (medical staff, nursing staff, Physiotherapist, Dietician), with the wider MDT and with children/young people (CYP), with parents/carers and families and with colleagues in Health, Education, Social Services to ensure best practice and implementation of SLT care plans and delivery of services to these specific client groups.

You will contribute to departmental meetings, clinical audit/research and projects. You will provide advice and deliver training to other professionals and parents/carers on all aspects of speech, language and communication and dysphagia. You will provide clinical education and training to Speech and Language therapy students and will supervise the work of Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioners (SLTAPs)

We would welcome informal visits to the service and further conversation around the role and the opportunities offered.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Full time, part time and job share roles will be considered.

Pre-School:

To autonomously assess and manage a specialist and complex caseload of pre-school children with Social Communication differences/Autism, complex communication needs and dysphagia

To provide highly specialist advice and strategies to SLTs, other professionals and parents regarding the management and care of children with speech, language, communication and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties including use of Signalong, symbol systems, environmental modification, use of high and low tech communication aids

To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and contribute to manage clinical risk within the Speech and Language Therapy services

To communicate highly complex information relating to conditions (both verbally and in the written form) from assessment to parents/carers, CYP and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions to effectively to ensure collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members across health, education, social services and the voluntary

Please see job description and person specification for main duties and responsibilities required in this post.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent and Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Health Professions Council registration - Licence to Practice
• Postgraduate training in Paediatric Dysphagia
• Evidence of completion of specialist short courses relevant to children with complex communication difficulties, special needs/disability
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Membership of relevant CEN groups

Desirable

• Neonatal SLT competencies
• Supervision training
• Advanced training up to Masters level equivalent in AAC, e.g. Signalong, PECS

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Proven extensive post-qualification experience working within paediatric dysphagia in under 5s
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team
• Extensive post graduate experience of assessment, treatment and management of infants, children and young people with complex communication difficulties and dysphagia, physical difficulties and AAC, working with parents/carers and families, writing clinical notes and reports.
• Experience of writing advice for children with EHCP's, managing own caseload, teaching other professionals/parents, clinical audits, clinical supervision of SLTs and SLTAPs, teaching and supervising SLT students, leading audit/research projects

Desirable

• Experience of working within an acute setting with neonates and infants/children with dysphagia

Skills, Abilities and Attributes

Essential

• Good written and spoken English and competent IT skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and established negotiation and problem-solving skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills and well-developed concentration skills
• Good organisational skills and ability to work in an unpredictable environment and to prioritise own workload and others
• Demonstrates ability to be a team player
• Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people of all ages and abilities
• Well-established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to infants/CYP with physical disabilities and speech, language and communication, eating and drinking difficulties.
• Well-established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the above client group including alternative/augmentative communication systems available to CYP.
• Working knowledge of the roles: of other professionals in the multidisciplinary team involved with the Pre-School caseload and of other professionals and of the speech and language therapist in the acute setting
• Understanding of challenges 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's bill and foundation stage and National curriculum's.
• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit.

Desirable

• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to neonates and infants with complex medical difficulties

Other

Essential

• Car driver

Employer details

Employer name

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alexandra Avenue Health & Care Centre Harrow

275 Alexandra Avenue

Harrow

HA2 9DX

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

333-G-HCS-0150