Neonatal and Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Team Lead

at  University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

The successful candidate will
Take a leading role on the service development across the hospital with a focus on neonatal and paediatric dysphagia.
Be able to demonstrate the ability to work flexibly and problem-solve at a high level.
Provide guidance and support to junior staff members and peers
Develop and deliver training in the area of neonatal and paediatric dysphagia to peers and other professionals
Following significant recent investment we are seeking a highly experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly and supportive team of 19 SLT’s and 4 assistant practitioners. You will be working with neonates and paediatric inpatients at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. Energy, vision and clinical expertise within this field is essential. This is a unique opportunity to shape paediatric and neonatal services at UHCW.
Paediatric Services
UHCW has one of the largest paediatric units in the West Midlands. Services for children are entirely provided from a dedicated Children’s Unit. At University Hospital there are 61 infant and children’s beds including a 12-bed adolescent unit, 6 High Dependency beds, 19 infant beds and 24 beds for older children, as well as a 6 bedded medical day unit.
Newborn Services
The hospital has a purpose-built Neonatal Unit with a capacity of 16 critical care cots (intensive care and high dependency) 8 special care cots and 12 transitional care cots. The unit is one of the two designated level 3 intensive care units for the Central Newborn Network.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence ® designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation’s core values.
To work as an autonomous practitioner, providing comprehensive, specialist speech and language therapy assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment of children and babies who present with feeding and swallowing difficulties
Work as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to team discussions and influencing decisions about patient care programmes, taking on the role of care co-ordinator where appropriate
To be a source of expertise and provide clinical support, where appropriate to other MDT colleagues, Health Care professionals including students and community services
Take a lead on the planning, development, co-ordination & evaluation of the Speech and Language Therapy service for paediatric and neonatal inpatients with dysphagia at UHCW
Use specialist knowledge to respond to urgent requests for input and contribute to the prioritisation and triage of referrals to ensure that high risk patients are seen urgently, and to expedite rapid assessment and discharge planning
Provide clinical supervision, training & day to day management for Speech and Language Therapy staff who are working within neonatal and paediatric dysphagia, ensuring that an integrated & successful therapy service is provided.
Liaise with the relevant community paediatric teams in co-ordinating relevant patient discharges and ensuring adequate outpatient care and treatment.

OUR TEAM OFFER:

Regular support and supervision from experienced Speech and Language Therapists and members of the wider MDT
Both external and in service training to promote clinical excellence and evidence based practice.
A leading role in departmental service development.
Strong links with the wider MDT and opportunities for inter professional working.
Links to the Research and Innovation department and opportunities to contribute to National and Local research studies.
Consideration of flexible workin
The post will be working closely with the emerging Coventry and Warwickshire integrated care system neonatal AHP service to deliver high quality neonatal care. This is a new and innovative service that this post holder will help shape.
We welcome informal visits and enquires.
For further details please see the attached job description

Please refer the Job description for details