Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Neonatal

Job overview

To provide specialist speech and language therapy input to the Neonatal Service as part of a 12-month fixed term contract/ secondment, working closely with the neonatal multidisciplinary team to ensure high-quality assessment and management of infant feeding and early communication needs.

The main role of this post is to deliver a specialist speech and language therapy service for neonates and infants within the neonatal unit, including pre-term and medically complex infants. This will involve comprehensive assessment and management of feeding and swallowing difficulties, support with parent education, and contribution to discharge planning to promote safe and timely transitions from hospital to home.

In addition to direct clinical work, the post holder will provide specialist advice, training, and support to neonatal staff, contributing to service development and the establishment of sustainable neonatal speech and language therapy pathways during the period of maternity cover. The post holder will work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team, including neonatologists, nurses, dietitians, and occupational therapists, to ensure integrated and effective care.

Main duties of the job

To provide an expert speech and language therapy opinion for neonates and infants within the Neonatal Service, working in conjunction with the wider neonatal multidisciplinary team to support safe feeding, swallowing, and early communication development.

To provide clinical leadership and specialist support within the Neonatal Service, contributing to the supervision, guidance, and education of neonatal staff in relation to infant feeding and communication needs, and supporting the maintenance of high standards of clinical practice during the period of maternity cover.

To maintain and apply expert knowledge in neonatal feeding, swallowing, and early communication development, sharing this expertise with colleagues within the neonatal unit and the wider hospital trust, and contributing to service development and best practice.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

****If internal applicant appointed - Available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity. (With current line manager's agreement). ****

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Early intervention and individualised infant care, using a Family Integrated Care approach on the Neonatal Unit (NNU) aims to reduce the developmental risks for infants born prematurely or with  perinatal problems. The Specialist Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist will use specialist skills to manage their own complex caseload, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.

They will be responsible for the assessment and management of the safety of the neonates’ swallow using an individualised approach to assessment and intervention. They will support timely discharge and provide anticipatory guidance to ease transition to home. Teaching and  training alongside the AHP team to the wider unit forms part of this post. The post holder will:

• - Utilise advanced skills and support to facilitate high quality, individualised care to infants and parents/carers in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, ensuring that the needs of the infant and their family are placed at the centre of care delivery-  Demonstrate active participation and leadership in projects and activities that support developmental care and family integrated care Demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice