Job overview
Join us as an Advanced Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist and play a pivotal role at the very start of a child’s life. Working across Basildon and Southend Hospitals, you will be the specialist voice for feeding, communication and neurodevelopment within a highly skilled neonatal multidisciplinary team, supporting babies with complex needs and their families through some of their most challenging moments.
You will be part of a well-led, dynamic and friendly MSE wide Children’s Therapies team, working alongside dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy assistants, all committed to integrated working, excellent patient care and a positive team culture.
This role is ideal for a motivated, compassionate clinician with neonatal or paediatric dysphagia skills, who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is confident working autonomously while influencing MDT practice. In return, you will have the opportunity to shape and develop a specialist service, drive innovation, and make a lasting difference to outcomes for our most vulnerable patients and their families.
If you are interested in this role and believe you have the skills and qualities we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
**Intended start date: January 2027
Main duties of the job
You will deliver highly specialist speech and language therapy to neonates across Basildon and Southend Hospitals, providing assessment, diagnosis and management of feeding, swallowing and early communication needs.
Working as an integral member of the neonatal multidisciplinary team, you will:
- Influence care pathways and feeding practices
- Support safe feeding progression and neurodevelopment
- Contribute to discharge planning
- Provide training and guidance to staff and families
You will work autonomously to manage a complex caseload, ensuring care is evidence-based and aligned with best practice. You will also play a key role in service development, audit and quality improvement, helping to shape a high-quality, integrated neonatal therapy service.
We are looking for a clinician who brings:
- Advanced skills in neonatal and or paediatric dysphagia and complex feeding
- Strong clinical reasoning and ability to work autonomously
- Excellent communication skills, particularly with families in sensitive situations
- Confidence to influence MDT practice and deliver teaching
- A proactive, collaborative approach with a passion for improving outcomes
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For more information on this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached Job Description. We look forward to your application! Please be aware that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a high number of applications be received.
Applicant requirements
You 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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
- RCSLT Registration
- HCPC Registration
- Master level or equivalent post graduate qualifications / evidence of post graduate learning relevant to the clinical field
Desirable
- Relevant specialist training courses e.g., FINE, NBO, IBCLC, SOFFI
- Completion of HEE Modules (Introduction to Neonatal Care and Speech Language Therapy modules)
Communication Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills
Knowledge and 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
- Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to neonates in order to assess, diagnose, plan and treat neonates and infants with swallowing difficulties
- Experience working at Paediatric Dysphagia Competency Level C
Desirable
- Experience working in a neonatal or acute setting
- Knowledge of processes and policies relating to work in a neonatal setting e.g. safeguarding, developmental, educational needs, RCSLT guidelines etc.
- Experience working at Paediatric Dysphagia Competency Level D
- Experience working at Neonatal Dysphagia Competency Level C
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Ability to recognise own training and supervision needs and use these to further enhance clinical skills
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Advanced Speech and Language Therapist - Neonates with Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Basildon. It is listed as a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £49,387 Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 31 Aug 2026.
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