# Specialist Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/specialist-neonatal-speech-and-language-therapist/eadf74aa-9df4-4940-a14d-69ea49e5fce3 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/specialist-neonatal-speech-and-language-therapist/eadf74aa-9df4-4940-a14d-69ea49e5fce3.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - **Location:** Leeds General Infirmary - **Workplace type:** onsite - **Profession:** Speech and Language Therapist - **Grade:** Band 7 - **Salary:** £49,387 to £56,515 a year - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Full-time, Part-time - **Closing date:** 2026-09-15T23:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-09-01T11:03:27.306Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9298-26-0865 - **Application URL:** https://vacancies.leedsteachinghospitals.jobs/Job/JobDetail?jobid=1995&source=JobtrainNHSJobs - **Employer website:** https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job summary Thanks to significant new NHS England funding, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join our expanding neonatal workforce as a Band 7 Specialist Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist (1.94 WTE) within Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. We are seeking dynamic, enthusiastic and highly motivated Speech and Language Therapists to deliver expert care to infants and their families across our neonatal services. Working within a Family Integrated Care (FiCare) model, you will provide specialist support across our two neonatal sites at Leeds General Infirmary and St Jamess University Hospital, making a meaningful difference to the lives of babies born across Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region. As a core member of the Neonatal Multidisciplinary Team, you will work alongside our Clinical Lead and specialist colleagues to further develop and embed Speech and Language Therapy provision across our Level 1 to 3 neonatal units. ### Main duties of the job The candidate will have excellent inter-personal communication, organisational and teamwork skills and be able to show evidence of continued professional development. You will carry a complex clinical caseload, delivering pre and post-operative assessments/treatments and transfer of care to local and regional level. You will coordinate service development, training and contribute to improving the quality of care. You will be working closely with the Neonatal MDT, patients, families and relevant Health and Social Care teams ensuring compliance against clinical drivers and standards Leeds Childrens Hospital provides care across the region and is a well-established teaching hospital. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest acute health providers in the UK. The hospitals provide tertiary care across a range of specialities including Neurology, Neuro Rehab, Neonates, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, respiratory and long-term ventilation, critical care, surgical, oncology and haematology. Please see the attached job description for further information about this vacancy. ### About us The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care to every patient, every time. Our vision is to provide the highest quality specialist and integrated care. We will do this through delivery of our multi-year goals and strategic priorities, which you can read about on this page. Central to it all is The Leeds Way our values and behaviours that are at the heart of everything we do. ### Details - Date posted: 01 September 2026 - Pay scheme: Agenda for change - Band: Band 7 - Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year - Contract: Permanent - Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time - Reference number: 001993 - Job locations: Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3EX, United Kingdom ### Job responsibilities For questions about this job, contact: Victoria Watson Clinical SLT Manager vickywatson@nhs.net Shortlisting Date: 15th September Interview Date: 22nd September Job Summary Thanks to significant new NHS England funding, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join our expanding neonatal workforce as a Band 7 Specialist Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist (1.94 WTE) within Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. We are seeking dynamic, enthusiastic and highly motivated Speech and Language Therapists to deliver expert care to infants and their families across our neonatal services. Working within a Family Integrated Care (FiCare) model, you will provide specialist support across our two neonatal sites at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital, making a meaningful difference to the lives of babies born across Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region. As a core member of the Neonatal Multidisciplinary Team, you will work alongside our Clinical Lead and specialist colleagues to further develop and embed Speech and Language Therapy provision across our Level 1 to 3 neonatal units. This will include Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), High Dependency, Transitional Care, Surgical and providing an outreach service. This role offers an excellent opportunity to enhance and develop your specialist neonatal skills while contributing to the ongoing development of a progressive and innovative service. We are a dedicated and cohesive neonatal AHP team delivering high quality, evidence based developmental care for babies and their families. Recent investment offers an exciting opportunity to expand our workforce and strengthen AHP provision within neonatal services across St James's University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary. As we progress through a period of transformation, we are enhancing developmental pathways, improving outcomes and embedding collaborative, family centred practice. This is an exciting time to join our fantastic team and be part of meaningful service improvement. We are committed to supporting professional growth and offer excellent opportunities to become involved in-service development, quality improvement initiatives and research activities, helping shape the future of neonatal care both locally and regionally. If you are passionate about neonatal care, thrive within multidisciplinary teams and are looking to be part of an ambitious and forward-thinking neonatal SLT service, we would love to hear from you. Applicants with relevant experience as a Band 6 Paediatric SLT who have the desire to develop their skills and knowledge in an acute neonatal setting, and who demonstrate strong family-focussed values would also be considered. Please state in your application if an up-skilling Band 6 role would be your preference. Why you should join our Team Leeds Children’s Hospital provides care across the region and is a well-established teaching hospital. Leeds Teaching Hospital it is one of the largest acute health providers in the UK. Our hospitals provide a diverse and exciting range of specialist services, including Neurology, Neurorehabilitation, Neonatal Care, Cardio-Respiratory Medicine, Gastroenterology, Long-Term Ventilation, Critical Care, Surgery, Oncology and Haematology. Based in Leeds, one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant cities in the North, the Trust benefits from excellent transport links and a thriving city-centre location. Joining our team offers a unique opportunity to develop your clinical expertise within a highly skilled and supportive Speech and Language Therapy service. You will be part of a well-established SLT team with access to a broad range of acute specialties, including Neonates, Tracheostomy, Long-Term Ventilation, Cardiology, Critical Care and Videofluoroscopy. We are committed to supporting your professional growth through a structured induction programme, robust supervision framework and extensive opportunities for joint working, shadowing and multidisciplinary collaboration. Continuous professional development is at the heart of our service. Alongside regular individual and group supervision, we host a monthly Clinical Hour, providing protected time for staff to share learning, discuss current evidence and research, and develop best practice together. You will be based in a modern, purpose-designed workspace that supports a variety of working styles, with excellent facilities and personal lockers. Staff wellbeing is a key priority within the Trust. We foster a positive and inclusive team culture, with access to staff wellbeing initiatives, internal support networks, wellbeing champions and Mental Health First Aiders within the SLT team. We also recognise the importance of work-life balance, offering flexible working opportunities and a vibrant social programme throughout the year. The successful candidate will join an innovative and forward-thinking Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Service that values collaboration, learning and excellence in patient care. Alongside comprehensive supervision and a well-established Continuing Professional Development programme, you will benefit from regular team meetings and the opportunity to contribute to ongoing service development and innovation. What you will bring to the role The candidate will have excellent inter-personal communication, organisational and teamwork skills and be able to show evidence of continued professional development. You will carry a complex clinical caseload, delivering pre and post-operative assessments/treatments and transfer of care to local and regional level. You will coordinate service development, training and contribute to improving the quality of care. You will be working closely with the Neonatal MDT, patients, families and relevant Health and Social Care teams ensuring compliance against clinical drivers and standards Leeds Children’s Hospital provides care across the region and is a well-established teaching hospital. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest acute health providers in the UK. The hospitals provide tertiary care across a range of specialities including Neurology, Neuro Rehab, Neonates, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, respiratory and long-term ventilation, critical care, surgical, oncology and haematology. Please see the attached job description for further information about this vacancy. About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust Our Trust values The Leeds Way is working together to support each other and deliver the best possible care to patients. We are…. Responsible Open and Honest One Team Kind Our Trust priorities Our purpose: Excellent, safe and sustainable care for every patient every time Our priorities: People Improvement and Innovation Partnerships Outcomes To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications. ## Person Specification ### Experience **Essential** - Substantial experience as a SLT. - Substantial SLT experience post qualification with significant experience working in the neonates specialism. - Experience working at advanced level in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of neonates - Experience in teaching competencies to less experienced Speech and Language Therapists. - Experience in the provision of second opinions and advice to internal and external professional colleagues. - Experience in delivering Communication and Swallowing training to SLT colleagues and other members of the MDT - Experience of conducting clinical audit. - Experience in student clinical supervision - Experience of working in Specialist MDT's and acting as a specialist SLT resource. - Experience in research/audit - Ability to formulate independent clinical decisions following assessment. **Desirable** - Line Management experience - Experience in conducting appraisals - Competence and experience in conducting, interpreting and analysing VFSS to support diagnosis and management of patients presenting with complex paediatric dysphagia. - Assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of communication and feeding disorders associated with tracheostomy including ventilator assisted patients in a paediatric setting ### Knowledge and Clinical Understanding **Essential** - Awareness of current SLT issues - Specialist Knowledge of relevant client groups: In-depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and evidence of highly specialist clinical expertise relevant to the specialism. - Well established knowledge of RCSLT Professional and Clinical Guidelines/ policies both locally and nationally in the specialism as well as relevant national strategy and drivers. - Assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of neonates and older children presenting with communication and/or feeding difficulties. - Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, including audit cycle, continuous quality improvement and user involvement. - Ability to perform specialised SLT assessments, interpret and plan relevant SLT care programmes for patients with highly complex communication and swallowing needs and multiple medical conditions. - Advanced knowledge of communication and swallowing problems related to the specialism and associated surgery/treatments. - Demonstrate advanced knowledge in interpretation of complex clinical information to develop, monitor and perform highly specialist swallowing and communication care plans. - Responsible for liaison at local and regional level to secure safe transfer of care for these complex client groups. - Demonstrate the ability to evaluate practice using evidence based practice and critical appraisal. - Ability to advise and suggest suitable dietary and fluid modifications to facilitate safe swallowing. - Knowledge of clinical governance, quality of care and evidence based practice in specialist areas. - Awareness of national guidance and driving factors in specialist areas. ### Clinical, Technical and Communication Skills **Essential** - Able to work within a team, demonstrate initiative, confidence and excellent time management and organisational skills. - Good written, oral and interpersonal communication skills. - Good presentation skills in delivering training to large multidisciplinary groups of staff or members of the public (this may involve groups of more than 50 people). - Ability to use a range of specialist equipment with precision and accuracy during communication and swallowing assessments. - Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills. Active and empathetic listening/ counselling skills - Able to negotiate with client / carer and medical / AHP teams around individual case management - Able to communicate complex, sensitive condition-related information from assessment to patients and carers - Ability to give clear advice, instruction and training to patients, carers and other professionals relating to complex communication/ swallowing disorders - Good time management, organisational and prioritisation skills. - Well developed analytical, reflective, negotiation and problem solving skills. - Excellent organizational and prioritisation skills - Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically - Highly developed Negotiation and Problem solving skills - Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal ### Qualifications and Professional Registration **Essential** - BSc (Hons) Clinical Language Sciences or equivalent degree accredited by RCSLT. - HPC Registered to practice as a SLT. - Post Graduate Qualification in Dysphagia. - Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree accredited by RCSLT. - Health Professions Council license to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist. - Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists - Advanced level dysphagia training **Desirable** - Post Graduate training in: Neonatal feeding difficulties - EKSF / Appraisal training - Advanced communication skills - Post graduate training in VFSS - Evidence of successful completion of specialist post graduate short courses related to the specialism eg: Neonatal; Tracheostomy; Videofluoroscopy; Palliative Care - Post Graduate training in and maintenance of: RCSLT Level C / proficient paediatric Dysphagia Training & Competency Framework - Post Graduate experience in neonatal feeding difficulties, working within Level C RCSLT neonatal competencies - Evidence of successful completion of specialist post graduate short courses related to the specialism e.g.: Neonatal and / or Paediatric Dysphagia; Complex feeding difficulties - FINE Courses (Family and Infant Neurodevelopmental Education) SOFFI (Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants) Wolf and Glass - Evidence of successful completion of specialist post graduate short courses related to: - Infant Feeding - Breast feeding - Post Graduate experience in neonatal feeding difficulties, working within Level D RCSLT neonatal competencies ### Core Behaviours, Values and Personal Qualities **Essential** - Comply with professional codes of practice, professional guidelines and departmental policies and procedures. - Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with Trust policies and HPC standards. - Be compassionate and ethical in the provision of SLT care. - Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development. - Be a pro-active team member of the SLT department at LTHT by participating in departmental development projects, attending and participating in departmental meetings and clinical updates. - Demonstrate the ability to communicate highly complex, specialised and sensitive information with empathy and understanding. - Demonstrate the ability to provide highly complex Communication and Swallowing counselling to patients requiring cognitive behavioural therapy skills and use of advanced reassurance, motivational and negotiation skills to overcome barriers to change. - Demonstrate the ability to analyse clinical and non-clinical information to form accurate therapy care plans in specialised areas. - Demonstrate analytical skills in prioritising the best course of SLT treatment in patients with highly complex clinical conditions, where therapeutic goals may conflict with other ongoing physical, emotional, psychological and medical problems. - Sensitive to the needs of others and has an awareness and responsiveness to other peoples feelings and needs - Values differences; regards people as individuals and appreciates value of diversity in the workplace - Able to work as part of a team, co-operating to work together and in conjunction with others and willing to help and assist wherever possible and appropriate. - Able to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation. - Able to work under pressure, dealing with peaks and troughs in workload. - Positive attitude to dealing with change; flexible and adaptable, willing to change and accept change and to explore new ways of doing things and approaches - Highly motivated and reliable - Has a strong degree of personal integrity; able to adhere to standards of conduct based on a sense of right and wrong and be dependable and reliable ### Training and Continuing Professional Development **Essential** - Willing to undergo training as required in this post. - Must be willing to participate in any relevant training identified to develop skills required to carry out duties - The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. - The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role. ## Documents - [Job Description (DOC, KB)](https://vacancies.leedsteachinghospitals.jobs/Job/GetJobAdvertDocument?Id=3413&JobId=1995) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.