Highly Specialist Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist

Main area: Highly Specialist Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist
Grade: Band 7
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Mon-Fri 9 5)
Site: Merton Birches Polyclinic, Town Mitcham
Salary: £55,524 - £62,652 per annum, inclusive of HCAS

We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and highly motivated Band 7 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's Therapy Service in Merton, leading the provision for children and young people with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. The successful candidate will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children and young people with a range of developmental, neurological and complex health conditions, working across community, clinic, education and home settings. As the Eating and Drinking Lead, you will play a key role in service development, quality improvement and the implementation of evidence based practice, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues, families and education settings to ensure safe, effective and person centred care.

• Manage a highly specialist caseload of children and young people presenting with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
• Undertake complex clinical swallowing assessments and develop appropriate management plans.
• Lead on the development and review of EDS pathways, policies and clinical guidance.
• Provide expert advice and consultation to families, education staff and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Deliver training and competency programmes to health, education and care professionals.
• Contribute to service development, clinical governance, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Supervise and support junior staff, students and support workers as appropriate.
• Work closely with paediatricians, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, specialist nurses, schools and other stakeholders to deliver integrated care.

• Recognised SLT degree or equivalent.
• Current AHP with UK HCPC registration.
• Evidence of competence in managing complex dysphagic patients aged 0 19, including those requiring enteral feeding.
• Evidence of relevant post registration education and training (e.g. SCERTS, VERVE, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, Hanen, Gestalt Language Processing, AAC, Dysphagia, Infant Feeding, Breastfeeding, Tracheostomy).

• Extensive experience of working in a variety of clinical settings.
• Experience of working and liaising with other MDT professionals.Recent experience within a community SLT setting, specialising in complex needs and dysphagia in a paediatric population.
• Ability to understand complex issues, problem solve and propose solutions.
• Ability to communicate with families and young people in an empathetic manner regarding their treatment and procedures.
• Experience of supervising/managing junior staff and students.
• Experience working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Experience in the assessment and management of patients who require AAC.
• Experience of working within a community paediatric SLT service.
• Experience of working through the RCSLT NQP and dysphagia frameworks with junior SLTs.

• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy.
• Highly specialist knowledge of a wide range of therapeutic interventions and evidence of a specialist level of clinical expertise in relevant areas.
• Independence in managing dysphagia within a paediatric population.
• Experience in using a range of assessment techniques for managing patients with dysphagia and complex needs.
• In depth knowledge of principles of clinical governance and audit.
• Ability to use IT including PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills.
• Good analytical and organisational ability.
• Ability to identify and assess the potential risks involved in work activities and processes for self and others.
• Ability to deputise for service lead as required.
• Excellent ability to listen effectively and provide constructive feedback to families and colleagues.
• Awareness of the management and use of data in the NHS setting.
• Postgraduate research in a relevant area.
• Completion of CPD related to dysphagia management.

• Ability to work in a team and be a proactive member, engaging in change processes.
• Ability to self organise, prioritise and delegate effectively.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Flexible work ethic.
• Ability to assume leadership responsibilities.
• Ability to address sensitive issues such as complex condition related information to families/carers.
• Able to demonstrate initiative and innovative approaches to work.
• Hold a full, valid UK driving licence and have access to a car for business purposes (unless disabled) or be able to travel independently using public transport.

CLCH is proud to be a Disability Confident employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace. Equal opportunities are provided in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Applications will be assessed fairly and with reference checks.