Speech & Language Therapist Complex Needs & Dysphagia (including ABI)

Job summary

Are you passionate about working with children with complex needs? We are looking for an experienced, dysphagia qualified Speech and Language Therapist to manage a caseload of children aged 0-18 with complex eating, drinking, swallowing and communication needs, including those resulting from acquired brain injury (ABI). You will be supported by the Clinical Lead for Dysphagia and the School Age Complex Needs Team Lead. You will also have support from the neurorehabilitation Speech and Language Therapy Lead at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

The Children's Therapy Services identify, assess, support and manage the health needs of children and young people aged 0-18 years, working closely with children and their families in health settings and family homes; and with education colleagues in early years and school settings.

You will work across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire supporting pre-school children with complex needs and their families in the community, as well as children of all ages with ABI. Strong dysphagia competencies and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) knowledge are required. You will see children for uni-professional appointments and as part of our multi-disciplinary child centred assessments.

Main duties of the job

• A highly specialist clinical practitioner, being a source of expertise, providing support, supervision, teaching, advice and consultation across BNSSG. You will offer highly specialist clinical expertise within complex needs and dysphagia and carry your own highly specialist caseload.
• You will triage new referrals to the team alongside other band 7 practitioners, according to agreed referral criteria.
• You will be responsible for line managing junior colleagues
• You will independently manage the small ABI caseload across BNSSG, liaising with the hospital neurorehabilitation team as required.

About us

Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas.

We are Sirona care & health - England's largest provider of Adult's and Children's Community Services and we'd love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days' annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme - just a glimpse of the benefits you'll receive.

We welcome and encourage all applicants. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities we support and are proactively seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce. We know diversity fosters creativity and innovation.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We aim to draw upon the widest possible range of views and experiences to meet the changing needs of our colleagues, partners and communities we serve.

Whether you're starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don't be daunted by the prospect of something different - we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.

Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find attached to this vacancy.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities before applying for this position.

Person specification

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Experience working with children with complex needs
• Experience working in paediatric dysphagia
• Experience of line management
• Experience as a Children's Therapist with significant experience of working in a community setting
• Ability to implement treatment of children and young people with highly complex developmental, neurological and/or sensory conditions

Desirable

• Experience working with children with ABI
• Under 1s dysphagia competencies
• Experience of working with children/ young people who require adapted / alternative methods of communication (e.g. Makaton)

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Post-graduate dysphagia qualification
• HCPC Registration
• Degree level qualifications recognised by RCSLT