Band 7 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Neonatal Unit Care
The closing date is 3rd Jan 2025
Job summary
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital is a 32 bedded unit, with 12 Critical Care cots and 20 Special Care cots. In addition, there is a seven bedded Transitional Care Unit (TCU). The NICU is partnered with a Special Care Unit at Good Hope Hospital. Over 10,000 babies are delivered within the Trust a year with around 6500 deliveries at Heartlands site. Heartlands has a busy NICU, serving a diverse local population as it aims to provide the intensive and high dependency care for all ten thousand babies born within the Trust. NICU sees around 850 admissions: providing medical care for babies of all gestations. The unit is the designated network cooling centre. The post holder will work closely with members of the MDT team and the West Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network. Although predominantly based at Heartland Hospital, some travel to Good Hope Hospital will be required. We are looking for a speech and language therapist with clinical experience in paediatric speech and language therapy who can demonstrate they can manage a caseload of patients within the neonatal service. For applicants with transferable skills, we would consider a development opportunity, starting at Band 6. We are committed to supporting ongoing personal and professional development and offer a wider variety of training opportunities.
To deliver an advanced Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service (universal, targeted, and specialised) including assessment and management of neonates within the neonatal service. This will develop patient pathways, integrate with developmental follow-up screening clinics, and provide advice to the neonatal nursing outreach team service to support appropriate onward referrals. To be a source of expertise to fellow clinicians, multi-disciplinary team (MDT) colleagues, Trust managers, Healthcare Professionals, and other services internal and external to the Trust as required. To manage, supervise and appraise staff and students within the specialist neonatal service, as required. To lead in service development, education, training, and development of SLT clinical practice in the neonatal setting. To undertake clinical audits and evaluation of evidence-based practice, initiating/participating in research within specialist neonatal service locally, regionally, and nationally. Candidates who are keen to consider development opportunities will be considered.
About us
We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.
Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:
1. Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;
2. Offering our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.
UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reaches their true potential, achieves their ambitions, and thrives in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.
University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.
Person specification
Qualifications
1. Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
2. Health and Care Professions Council -- License to Practice (E)
3. Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (E)
4. Evidence of relevant postgraduate training in neonates (E)
5. Postgraduate advanced accredited Paediatric dysphagia training (D)
6. Attendance at recent postgraduate specialist courses relevant to the clinical field(s) e.g., accredited courses, master's level learning (or equivalent experience can be demonstrated) (D)
Experience
1. Specialist level of clinical skills and knowledge in the assessment, differential diagnosis, and management of complex Paediatric feeding, swallowing and communication disorders. (E)
2. At least three years post-registration experience in dysphagia, including infants under 1 year, plus additional experience in core areas such as early communication (E)
3. Relevant postgraduate experience in the assessment and management of neonates (E)
4. Experience of SLT students at student clinical tutor and supervisor levels (E)
5. Experience of leading audit (E)
6. Experience of training staff groups at all levels (E)
7. Ability to work as part of multidisciplinary team (E)
8. Clinical supervision, teaching, mentorship, and appraisal skills (E)
9. Experience of conducting or being involved in research in the specialist area (D)
10. Relevant postgraduate experience in the acute setting (D)
Additional Criteria
1. Excellent interpersonal skills -- including observation, listening and empathy skills (E)
2. Able to adapt communication style to varied listeners (E)
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. (E)
4. Appropriately assertive (E)
5. Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal (E)
6. Cultural awareness and sensitivity for parents and families who require neonatal care (E)
7. Demonstrates ability to be a good team member and function effectively in the MDT, leading where appropriate (E)
8. Able to judge limits of skills/competence and recognize professional boundaries where appropriate (E)
9. Supportive to other staff (E)
10. Aims for excellence (E)
11. Creative; looks for new ways of working (E)
12. Good negotiation and influencing Skills (E)
13. Excellent problem-solving skills (E)
14. Excellent analytical and reflection skills (E)
15. Excellent organizational skills and prioritization skills (E)
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
For help with your application, contact:
Amina Power
01214242686
Band
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-Time, Flexible Working
Reference number
304-9002528PM
Job locations
Trustwide
Mindelsohn Way
Birmingham
West Midlands
B15 2TH
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