Advanced Speech and Language Therapist: Neonates and Lactation: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

Band 8a Advanced Speech and Language Therapist (SLT): neonates and lactation.16 hours per week (0.43wte)

This post presents an exciting opportunity to continue the legacy of a part time dual role of Speech and Language Therapist and Lactation Consultant; delivering a highly specialised and bespoke service to the Level 3 Neonatal Unit, the Acute Paediatric wards and complex outpatient clinics at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

You will provide predominantly in-patient SLT and maternal lactation support, to high risk neonates on NNU, though targeted and specialised direct intervention alongside influencing best practice through teaching and strategic innovation, influencing the feeding and neurodevelopmental outcomes. You will be embedded within an innovative and expert multi-professional team within neonatal and acute paediatric specialities.

The Paediatric and Neonatal SLT team at UCLH deliver a service across the Neonatal Unit, Acute Paediatrics and the Children and Young Peoples Cancer Service (CYPCS) and as a lead you will support the Consultant SLT in overall service delivery.

You will work closely with your counterparts, drive improvement initiatives and act as an expert resource for SLT, nursing, medical and AHP colleagues.

You will be engaged with service improvement and delivery across the regional Operational Delivery Network and with appropriate national initiatives both within the profession and across wider multi-professional networks

Main duties of the job

To deliver and shape an expert SLT service to the neonatal unit (ITU, HDU, SCBU and TC) and the acute paediatric services

To deliver and shape the lactation support of mothers/birthing persons of infants on NNU, including driving quality improvement initiatives locally, regionally and potentially nationally.

To support infant feeding nursing training and support as part of breastfeeding initiatives on NNU.

To contribute to the delivery and enhancement of out-patient service to infants with complex feeding disorders

To apply expert SLT knowledge and experience to drive service improvement and quality outcomes across the NNU and the acute paediatric service

To provide expert supervision to internal and external SLT recipients within this speciality.

To provide advanced level teaching/presentations to multi-professional, multi-levelled audiences.

To support the Consultant SLT in cross-service initiatives providing excellence in care.

To use the UCLH Trust values to drive innovation and good practice in care across the paediatrics and neonatal SLT service.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC Licence to practice as SLT
• Successful completion of specialist post-graduate study relevant to acute paediatric and neonatal setting, including knowledge of feeding/ swallowing disorders in infants and young children (e.g. accredited dysphagia course, feeding problems in premature infants and neonates, VFSS, Parent – child interaction, family centred developmental care, SOFFI, FINE 1+2; breastfeeding complex infants)
• Knowledge of detailed neurodevelopmental norms and how to support them including swallowing and communication in the high risk and complex neonatal and paediatric population (relevant to the acute setting)
• A robust understanding of the clinical governance principles (e.g. audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, patient and public involvement)

Desirable

• Member of a Neonatal/Paediatric 0-5 Clinical Excellence Network or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Significant clinical experience working in the relevant field post-registration, at a highly specialist level or above with demonstrable competencies.
• Experience of carrying out evidence-based research projects/ audits using qualitative & quantitative approaches, with related presentations and/or publications.
• Basic counselling
• Training and experience in providing student SLT clinical supervision

Desirable

• Evidence of working within the NHS

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Knowledge of and ability to assess the key characteristics leading to a differential diagnoses of swallowing/feeding disorders
• Advanced knowledge of and ability to use a range of specialist assessment tools and procedures to evaluate feeding and swallowing disorders, speech & language skills in a neonatal/ paediatric population. This may include instrumental assessment e.g. Videofluoroscopy
• Specialist knowledge of and ability to assess the key characteristics of maternal lactation
• Able to demonstrate relevant post graduate knowledge and its application in infant feeding/ neurodevelopment such as SOFFI/FINE 1+2
• Advanced ability to select, set & evaluate specialist treatment goals
• Advanced knowledge of and competence in interventions relevant to premature infants, neonates and children with complex feeding and development needs and maternal lactation; integrating the evidence base for these approaches
• Critically evaluate published research within a specific area of clinical expertise

Communication

Essential

• The ability to communicate complex, sensitive information, demonstrating excellent verbal and written skills
• The application of knowledge of cultural, linguistic & local demographic factors when communicating with patients and families from the acute paediatric and neonatal services
• Advanced approaches to support clients & carers with challenging behaviour, mental health needs or those in high levels of distress
• Advanced level negotiation skills applied across patient care, multi-professional working and service development

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Knowledge of a range of approaches to mentoring, advising, supporting and clinically supervising less experienced and peer SLTs and support staff
• Evidence of ability to reflect on practice
• Ability to demonstrate the flexibility in attitude, behaviour and knowledge which contributes to excellent multi-professional working and development

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity an Inclusion

Essential

• Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties

Specific Requirements

Essential

• Demonstrates knowledge of HCPCs code of ethics and professional conduct
• Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to national and local clinical guidelines and policies with reference to paediatric acute and neonatal caseloads e.g. National Service Frameworks/ NICE Guidelines/ ODN Neonatal Network
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate legislation affecting working practice e.g. Working with Vulnerable Adults, Safeguarding Children
• Proven ability to develop & implement Service/Quality Improvement projects which enhance patient care
• Competent IT skills
• Demonstration of effective management of change skills including the flexibility in approach to changes in patient and service needs
• Effective time management and the ability to prioritise own workload alongside the needs of the service
• The postholder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post, this will be determined through occupational health with any reasonable aids provided wherever possible.

Closing Date: 18 October 2026