Senior Speech and Language Therapist: Paediatrics

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London is seeking a Speech and Language Therapist with specialist paediatric dysphagia to provide a dedicated service to inpatients at St Marys and to the Neonatal MDT Outpatient Feeding Clinic at SMH and QCCH.

The post involves independent caseload management, MDT collaboration and opportunities to develop VFSS services, with access to supervision and professional development.

Qualifications

• Specialist paediatric dysphagia skills and SLT qualification.
• Experience with videofluoroscopy assessments (VFSS) preferred.
• Ability to manage a caseload independently with clinical decision-making.
• Experience working with MDTs across neonatal and paediatric teams.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of inpatients with acute paediatric dysphagia on wards including PICU.
• Provide specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, goal setting, intervention plans and discharge planning.
• Attend ward rounds, MDT case conferences and liaise with neonatal/paediatric teams.
• Contribute to audits and service development with SLTs.

Skills

Paediatric dysphagia

VFSS liaison

MDT collaboration

Education

BSc/MSc Speech and Language Therapy

Tools

Videofluoroscopy equipment

Job description

This job role focuses on providing a specialist SLT service to Paediatric inpatients with disorders of feeding, swallowing and communication as part of the Acute Paediatric SLT team and to the Neonatal MDT Outpatient Feeding Clinic based at St Mary's Hospital (SMH) and Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital (QCCH).

The post holder will be a Speech and Language Therapist with specialist skills in the field of paediatric dysphagia. The clinical role will include working closely with the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to provide a specialist service to infants and children both as in- and outpatients.

The SLT will provide input to a caseload of infants and children with complex and possibly long-term feeding/swallowing and communication disorders on the acute wards at St Mary's Hospital, including the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and neurorehabilitation.

They will ideally have experience in independently carrying out videofluoroscopy assessments, although VFSS competencies can be developed and supported as part of the post to support the videofluoroscopic swallow study service for in- and out patients. The post holder will be able to manage their caseload and workload independently and be able to make independent clinical decisions concerning caseload management.

• To manage a caseload of inpatients within the speciality of Acute Paediatric dysphagia and to produce case notes and reports reflecting specialist knowledge and skill underpinned by current evidence-based practice.
• To provide specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, advice, goal setting, intervention plans, therapeutic intervention, and discharge planning in the above area.
• To develop and maintain skills and knowledge through personal study, journal club and designated training courses defined by the Personal Development Review framework objectives.
• To work independently, accessing supervision and appraisal within a Performance Development Review Framework at pre-determined intervals with the supervising clinician.
• To maintain close links and liaison with the Paediatric and Neonatal multidisciplinary teams across sites at ICHNT. To attend appropriate ward rounds/meetings and case conferences and communicate specialist information to members of the MDT.
• To contribute to the development and delivery of audit projects appropriate to the post's clinical commitments, in conjunction with other speech and language therapists.
• To have working knowledge of and adhere to all relevant national and local professional and clinical guidelines.
• To operate within ethical, legal and moral frameworks and be accountable for own professional actions, recognising own professional boundaries.

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career. Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Environmental sustainability

Climate change and poor air quality is a health emergency that harms people's health and wellbeing and widens health inequalities. The Trust is also committed to reducing its impact on the environment by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2045. All our employees have a role to play, and we have an active green network that supports staff to act in ways that ensures that our services are efficient, sustainable and reduce our impact on the environment www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/our-strategy/green-plan.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Dr Mari Viviers Job title: Clinical Lead SLT (Paediatrics) Email address: [e-mail]