Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS healthcare provider in London is seeking an experienced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work with paediatric patients, particularly focusing on dysphagia and complex communication disorders. Responsibilities include providing assessments, participating in videofluoroscopy clinics, and engaging in peer supervision. Applicants should hold a relevant degree and have experience with children in a healthcare setting. This role provides opportunities for professional development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Access to a supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience as a Speech and Language Therapist with children with complex needs.
• Knowledge of low-tech and high-tech AAC.
• Ability to reflect on practice and identify development needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide treatment for infants and children with communication and swallowing issues.
• Participate in videofluoroscopy clinics.
• Support SLT students and participate in cross-site peer supervision.

Skills

Clinical judgment

Communication skills

Teamwork

Negotiation

Dysphagia knowledge

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree

Basic dysphagia course

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 12 October 2025

We are looking for an experienced paediatric Speech Language Therapist with an interest in acute communication needs and dysphagia, including videofluoroscopy.

The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic, innovative, diverse and friendly team, passionate about what we do. We promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, everyone is welcomed. The Acute Speech and Language Therapy service supports patients across the age range from neonates to adolescents, on the wards and in specialist tertiary outpatient clinics.

This role requires knowledge and skills in paediatric dysphagia/ feeding, complex communication disorders and alternative and augmentative communication which you will then build on in a Children's Hospital setting. You will be supported to develop your knowledge and skills using competency frameworks e.g. infant feeding, videofluoroscopy and tracheostomy. You may be required to work with patients across both hospital sites and you will share the care of patients to ensure equity and to support your learning. Good interpersonal and team-working skills, ability to work flexibly and responsively in a busy environment are essential. You will also be required to deliver training and be involved in quality improvement projects. You may also be involved in specialist outpatient clinics.

This vacancy will close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be part of a highly specialised paediatric service, with the majority of the caseload in dysphagia. We have outlined some main responsibilities below. These are further detailed in the job description and personal specifications.

Maintain a good standard of clinical work related to paediatric dysphagia and communication.

Provide assessment and treatment service for infants and children with complex communication, swallowing and feeding issues within the paediatric settings including a range of different children's wards, paediatric intensive care, high dependence unit, wards, radiology and outpatients.

Provide comprehensive evaluation of swallowing including participation in videofluoroscopy clinics.

To actively participate in cross sight peer supervision and line management.

To be flexible to the needs of the whole Speech and Language Therapy service and demonstrate ability to work in other clinical areas as directed by lead clinicians and/or relevant Trust leadership.

To support both SLT students and students from across the wider MDT.

About us

The Evelina London Children's Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital Acute Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Services are now integrated. We are one service across two sites, with most services based at Evelina London Children's Hospital. Both hospitals sit within Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust.

We can offer you:

A stimulating work environment where you will develop your skills and knowledge in a Children's Hospital setting

Varied and interesting work across multiple specialties

A strategically lead service and a supportive team

Regular peer supervision, line management and a continuing professional development programme.

A laptop to ensure access to trust networks throughout your working day.

Access to health and wellbeing support e.g. sports and social club, Cycle to Work scheme, employee assistance

Links with other Speech and Language Therapy services within Evelina London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust including: The Royal Brompton Hospital, The South Thames Cleft Service, Hearing Implant Service and Children's Community Service.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification for more detailed information regarding this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Basic dysphagia course or equivalent
• Health Care Professions Council- license to practice
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Previous Experience

• Working as a Speech and Language Therapist with children with complex needs, including dysphagia/ feeding and communication disorders
• Caseload management and prioritisation in a paediatric setting

Knowledge

• Low-tech and high tech AAC.
• Process, policy and legislation related to working in the field of paediatrics e.g. safeguarding children, Code of Practice, consent, information governance
• The roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working with key professionals in health, education, voluntary and social services

Skills

• Use knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements and decision-making for complex cases e.g. supporting recommendations from videofluoroscopy
• Engage and negotiate with carers, parents and others around individual case management
• Reflect on own practice, identify strengths and development needs, respond to feedback and engage with learning frameworks

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Evelina Children's Hospital/ Royal Brompton Hospital

Evelina Children's Hospital/ Royal Brompton Hospital