JOB OVERVIEW

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Families, Young People, Children’s and Learning Disability and Autism (FYPCLDA) Directorate for a Dysphagia Specialist Speech and Language Therapist working as part of the multi-disciplinary team at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre (EMCHC). This role is part of the acute children’s speech and language therapy team at University Hospitals Leicester (UHL), contractually provided by the community children’s speech and language therapy service within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
We are looking for a highly motivated, compassionate and skilled speech and language therapist, who brings excellent team working and energy for transformation and delivery of service to neonates, children and young people with dysphagia and/or speech, language and communication needs in a level 1 cardiac unit. The successful candidate will be keen to further develop their expertise in dysphagia and communication skills, with a particular focus on cardiology.
This post can be offered as Band 6 to Band 7 progression post, subject to Annexe 21 guidance on starting salary and pay progression. Starting as a Band 6 the progression period would be up to 12 months, leading to transition to Band 7 (subject to attaining the required levels of competency which is detailed in thorough competency documentation). Training, support, and supervision would be provided from external training opportunities, regional networks, the SLT service for paediatrics across UHL and LPT, with opportunities for mentorship and support, and from the wider MDT. The post holder will provide highly specialist, evidence-based clinical practice in their role. In addition, the role will offer training, supervision and quality assurance of service delivery in the UHL context.
You will work closely with SLT clinical specialists, clinical leads and multi-agency partners to influence and shape a high-quality offer for children and young people accessing the cardiology centre.

The post holder will provide highly specialist leadership in dysphagia for infants, children and young people on behalf of the Speech and Language Therapy within the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre (EMCHC) at University Hospitals Leicester (UHL)

• Provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention approaches for infants, children and young people with identified needs in dysphagia and communication in the context of congenital heart disease
• To provide supervision, appraisal, training and support for Speech and Language Therapists locally and regionally in relation to the identified client group.
• Participate as an active member of the Speech and Language Therapy Service extended leadership team, being responsible for service improvement, quality assurance, training and development in the specialist area, based on the current evidence base, service plans and strategic priorities.
• Demonstrate a high level of knowledge and understanding of the national and local strategic context and their relationship with Speech and Language Therapy service delivery, providing expertise to fellow clinicians, MDT colleagues, LPT and UHL Trust managers, Healthcare Professionals and other services internal and external to the Trust as required.
• To undertake clinical audits and evaluation of evidence-based practice, initiating/participating in research within the specialism.

Please see both band 6 and 7 job description for more information. If the applicant was hoping to use the opportunity of a development post, it is expected that they would meet the criteria of a band 6 post.