Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Neonatal / Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly team of acute Speech and Language Therapists at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust. The post will be based at Kingston Hospital working predominantly on the Neonatal and Paediatric wards.You will be the sole Speech and Language Therapist for the neonatal unit / paediatric wards, therefore the ability to work autonomously is essential. There is an AHP therapy team, who you will develop strong links with and take part in an AHP-led developmental ward round, and you will gain professional support from the wider Adult Acute Team and Community Paediatric SLT team. A comprehensive supervision structure is in place, and you will be well supported in your role by the SLT department and wider MDT.Experience of working with neonates and children with feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties in an acute or community setting is essential. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and prioritising a caseload of neonatal and paediatric in-patients presenting with a range of feeding / swallowing difficulties. Collaborative joint working with the community teams is strongly encouraged. Occasional attendance at paediatric outpatient clinics may be required from time totime and there will be opportunities to help develop the service in collaboration with the Principal SLT and paediatric and neonatal teams and community teams.Responsibilities

Main duties of the job:At a highly specialist level, you will independently assess, diagnose, treat, and discharge neonates and paediatric patients with suspected or confirmed feeding, swallowing, eating, drinking and communication difficulties within the neonatal unit and paediatric wards. You will work collaboratively as an integral member of the neonatal and paediatric multidisciplinary team, supporting staff and families to identify babies and children at risk of dysphagia and communication challenges to establish safe, effective, and positive oral feeding and supportive communication practices.You will provide expert clinical advice and/or interventions for complex neonatal and paediatric dysphagia cases and contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based feeding and communication pathways. As part of the wider neonatal team, you will promote developmental care principles to support optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes for babies and support with advocation of Baby Friendly Initiative principles on the neonatal and paediatric wards.In addition to clinical duties, you will take a leadership role in service development, audit, education, and training of staff and families, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and family-integrated care. You will also supervise and mentor junior staff and students, ensuring high standards of clinical practice.About us

Development and staff wellbeingYour growth and personal happiness matter to us. After all, we can''t expect the best from you if we don''t invest in your development and nurture your wellbeing. From the moment you join us, we''re committed to fostering your professional and personal development within a supportive, empowering environment. Whether you''re just starting your career or looking to advance further, we provide you with the tools and opportunities you need to succeed. We actively support colleagues to take part in research, quality improvement and innovation, whatever their role or level in the organisation.To support your wellbeing, we offer an extensive range of resources, including an on-site staff nursery at Kingston Hospital, wellbeing practitioners, regular wellbeing classes, dedicated staff physiotherapist, comprehensive occupational health services, 24/7 employee assistance programme, and a range of other support and activities.We also take every opportunity to thank and recognise the work our teams do, through weekly ''shoutouts'' and patient feedback, monthly and annual awards.Wherever you work across our organisation, we look forward to welcoming you.Details

Date posted: 05 September 2025Pay scheme: Agenda for changeBand: Band 7Salary: £53,751 to £60,651 a year Pro rata pa incl. HCASContract: PermanentWorking pattern: Part-timeReference number: 396-NN-7352976-AHP-GV-Y-BJob locations: Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7QBJob description

***Please see the attached supporting document/s which contains more information about the role in the job description and person specification***Person Specification

EssentialRCSLT accredited degree in Speech and Language TherapyPost graduate qualification (e.g. MSc/post graduate diploma or certificate at Intermediate or Advanced level) in Paediatric and Neonatal DysphagiaRCSLT Level C Specialist Dysphagia PractitionerRCSLT Level C in Neonatal DysphagiaExtensive post qualification experience working within paediatric/infant dysphagiaDesirablePost graduate qualification (e.g. MSc/post graduate diploma or certificate) or RCSLT competencies in Videofluoroscopy or FEESAbility to carry out videofluoroscopy or FEES independentlyEssentialSpecialist SLT skills in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of neonatal and paediatric feeding, swallowing, eating and drinking, and communication difficulties using evidence-based practiceCurrent best practice in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of neonatal and paediatric feeding, swallowing, eating and drinking, and communication difficultiesDesirableCompetent in neonatal / paediatric tracheostomy managementExperience of developing and running quality improvement projectsDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.Employer details

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation TrustAddress: Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7QBEmployer''s website: https://www.kingstonandrichmond.nhs.uk/

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