Advanced Speech and Language Therapist - Neonates

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

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

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well-being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

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.

**Intended start date: January 2027

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• 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 criteria

• Relevant specialist training courses e.g., FINE, NBO, IBCLC, SOFFI
• Completion of HEE Modules (Introduction to Neonatal Care and Speech Language Therapy modules)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• 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 criteria

• 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

Communication Skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria

• Ability to recognise own training and supervision needs and use these to further enhance clinical skills

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

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