Job summary
Band 8a Advanced Speech and Language Therapist (SLT): neonates and lactation. 16 hours per week (0.43wte).
This post presents an exciting opportunity to continue the legacy of a part time dual role of Speech and Language Therapist and Lactation Consultant; delivering a highly specialised and bespoke service to the Level 3 Neonatal Unit, the Acute Paediatric wards and complex outpatient clinics at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
You will provide predominantly in-patient SLT and maternal lactation support, to high risk neonates on NNU, though targeted and specialised direct intervention alongside influencing best practice through teaching and strategic innovation, influencing the feeding and neurodevelopmental outcomes. You will be embedded within an innovative and expert multi-professional team within neonatal and acute paediatric specialities.
The Paediatric and Neonatal SLT team at UCLH deliver a service across the Neonatal Unit, Acute Paediatrics and the Children and Young Peoples Cancer Service (CYPCS) and as a lead you will support the Consultant SLT in overall service delivery.
You will work closely with your counterparts, drive improvement initiatives and act as an expert resource for SLT, nursing, medical and AHP colleagues.
You will be engaged with service improvement and delivery across the regional Operational Delivery Network and with appropriate national initiatives both within the profession and across wider multi-professional networks.
Main duties of the job
- To deliver and shape an expert SLT service to the neonatal unit (ITU, HDU, SCBU and TC) and the acute paediatric services
- To deliver and shape the lactation support of mothers/birthing persons of infants on NNU, including driving quality improvement initiatives locally, regionally and potentially nationally.
- To support infant feeding nursing training and support as part of breastfeeding initiatives on NNU.
- To contribute to the delivery and enhancement of out-patient service to infants with complex feeding disorders
- To apply expert SLT knowledge and experience to drive service improvement and quality outcomes across the NNU and the acute paediatric service
- To provide expert supervision to internal and external SLT recipients within this speciality.
- To provide advanced level teaching/presentations to multi-professional, multi-levelled audiences.
- To support the Consultant SLT in cross-service initiatives providing excellence in care.
- To use the UCLH Trust values to drive innovation and good practice in care across the paediatrics and neonatal SLT service.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryRoyal National ENT and Eastman Dental HospitalUniversity College Hospital Grafton Way BuildingRoyal London Hospital for Integrated MedicineUniversity College Hospital Macmillan Cancer CentreThe Hospital for Tropical DiseasesUniversity College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
Details
- Date posted: 29 September 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8a
- Salary: £66,274 to £73,496 a year, Per annum inclusive of HCAS
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Part-time
- Reference number: 309-UCLH-8325989
- Job locations: University College London Hospitals, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU, United Kingdom
Job description
The renowned Paediatric and Neonatal SLT team at UCLH delivers high quality clinical care to high-risk neonates, acute paediatrics and children and teenagers with cancer. The post particularly focuses on a combined SLT/Lactation service to the Neonatal Unit with additional support to the acute paediatrics service. UCLH NNU is a recognised centre of excellence caring for acutely ill and preterm babies, working with Great Ormond Street Hospital to deliver and stabilise babies with cardiac, surgical and complex diagnoses. The Neonatal Unit currently includes 22 NICU/ HDU cots and 12 SCBU cots. There are 12 cots on the transitional care ward. We work closely with our parents as partners in their babys care and are the UK NIDCAP centre.
The Acute Paediatric Ward comprises of 15 acute inpatient beds with 4 designated High Dependency Beds and provides a service for children with a wide range of acute paediatric illnesses (including infants requiring CPAP and High Flow Oxygen therapy). It has strong links with the Paediatric Emergency Department and the adjacent Paediatric and Adolescent day care ward. The ward works closely with NNU preparing chronically ill infants, including infants requiring oxygen and airway support, for discharge home.
At UCLH, great emphasis is placed on quality patient care and teamwork. We are committed to staff development and prioritise wellbeing. You will be working within an inclusive team environment and have access to supervision and training. The opportunities to learn and develop are both exciting and extensive.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff. To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC Licence to practice as SLT
- Successful completion of specialist post-graduate study relevant to acute paediatric and neonatal setting, including knowledge of feeding/ swallowing disorders in infants and young children (e.g. accredited dysphagia course, feeding problems in premature infants and neonates, VFSS, Parent – child interaction, family centred developmental care, SOFFI, FINE 1+2; breastfeeding complex infants)
- Knowledge of detailed neurodevelopmental norms and how to support them including swallowing and communication in the high risk and complex neonatal and paediatric population (relevant to the acute setting)
- A robust understanding of the clinical governance principles (e.g. audit, clinical effectiveness, risk management, patient and public involvement)
Desirable
- Member of a Neonatal/Paediatric 0-5 Clinical Excellence Network or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Significant clinical experience working in the relevant field post-registration, at a highly specialist level or above with demonstrable competencies.
- Experience of carrying out evidence-based research projects/ audits using qualitative & quantitative approaches, with related presentations and/or publications.
- Basic counselling
- Training and experience in providing student SLT clinical supervision
Desirable
- Evidence of working within the NHS
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Knowledge of and ability to assess the key characteristics leading to a differential diagnoses of swallowing/feeding disorders
- Advanced knowledge of and ability to use a range of specialist assessment tools and procedures to evaluate feeding and swallowing disorders, speech & language skills in a neonatal/ paediatric population. This may include instrumental assessment e.g. Videofluoroscopy
- Specialist knowledge of and ability to assess the key characteristics of maternal lactation
- Able to demonstrate relevant post graduate knowledge and its application in infant feeding/ neurodevelopment such as SOFFI/FINE 1+2
- Advanced ability to select, set & evaluate specialist treatment goals
- Advanced knowledge of and competence in interventions relevant to premature infants, neonates and children with complex feeding and development needs and maternal lactation; integrating the evidence base for these approaches
- Critically evaluate published research within a specific area of clinical expertise
Communication
Essential
- The ability to communicate complex, sensitive information, demonstrating excellent verbal and written skills
- The application of knowledge of cultural, linguistic & local demographic factors when communicating with patients and families from the acute paediatric and neonatal services
- Advanced approaches to support clients & carers with challenging behaviour, mental health needs or those in high levels of distress
- Advanced level negotiation skills applied across patient care, multi-professional working and service development
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Knowledge of a range of approaches to mentoring, advising, supporting and clinically supervising less experienced and peer SLTs and support staff
- Evidence of ability to reflect on practice
- Ability to demonstrate the flexibility in attitude, behaviour and knowledge which contributes to excellent multi-professional working and development
Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Demonstrates knowledge of HCPCs code of ethics and professional conduct
- Demonstrates knowledge and adherence to national and local clinical guidelines and policies with reference to paediatric acute and neonatal caseloads e.g. National Service Frameworks/ NICE Guidelines/ ODN Neonatal Network
- Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate legislation affecting working practice e.g. Working with Vulnerable Adults, Safeguarding Children
- Proven ability to develop & implement Service/Quality Improvement projects which enhance patient care
- Competent IT skills
- Demonstration of effective management of change skills including the flexibility in approach to changes in patient and service needs
- Effective time management and the ability to prioritise own workload alongside the needs of the service
- The postholder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post, this will be determined through occupational health with any reasonable aids provided wherever possible.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: University College Hospitals, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU, United Kingdom
Employer’s website: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details: For questions about the job, contact: Consultant Speech and Language Therapist Lizzy Marks liz.clark@nhs.net
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