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Job overview
Are you passionate about working with neonates?
Do you want to develop specialist clinical skills within a Level 3 surgical neonatal unit?
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join and help shape the neonatal Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) service at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol, a Level 3 surgical neonatal unit providing specialist care for infants with complex medical and surgical needs.
You will join our acute paediatric SALT team and work closely with the Neonatal Speech and Language Therapy Lead to develop and deliver high‑quality, family‑centred assessment and intervention for feeding, swallowing, and early communication. The role also provides opportunities for involvement in acute paediatric in‑patient work, enabling you to broaden your skills within a supportive and knowledgeable multidisciplinary team.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
- Provide specialist assessment and intervention for neonates (primarily under 3 months of age) presenting with feeding, swallowing, and early communication needs on the neonatal unit at St Michael’s Hospital.
- Offer input as needed to the acute children’s wards at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the Royal United Hospital (RUH), Bath for infants and children with acute feeding, swallowing, and communication needs.
- Contribute to MDT discussions, care planning, and family‑centred support.
- Work flexibly, with some cross‑site working where required.
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide a highly specialist speech and language therapy service for neonates on the Neonatal Unit (NNU) who have feeding and swallowing and communication difficulties and other complex needs associated with their medical conditions. This will involve assessment, complex differential diagnosis, interpretation and management. The post holder will support the Lead paediatric speech and language therapist and will also work autonomously on the wards.
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person specification
essential
Essential
- experience of working with neonates with complex feeding and communication difficulties
- accredited post graduate training in paediatric dysphagia
- knowledge and experience of working with babies/children born prematurely
Desirable
- experience of working on a neonatal unit
- experience of working in an acute setting
- evidence of significant post graduate CPD - relevant to post applying for
Education and qualifications
Essential
- Recognised degree in speech and language therapy
- Registered with HCPC
- Registered member of RCSLT
Desirable
- Accredited post-graduate training in paediatric dysphagia
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Neonates with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust in Bristol, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 pa pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 17 Jul 2026.
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