Speech Therapy Assistant/ Apprentice

Job overview

The Royal Marsden NHS Trust has an exciting opportunity for an individual to embark on a career in Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) via a funded Level 6 apprenticeship course. This course requires attending university 1 day a week, with the remaining 4 days based within the SLT team at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton in an SLT assistant position. The successful apprentice will attend the University of Sheffield, remotely,  to complete all required modules of study and undertake block clinical placements across different health and social care settings. Upon successful completion of the 4-year programme, the post holder will become a professionally qualified SLT with a Bachelor of Science degree. This developing  role starts at band 3 progressing to bands 4 and 5 as competencies are met. You will receive practical support on site alongside broader university teachings and will participate in regular supervision, peer support sessions, and access to a learning mentor to coordinate hospital and university support.

The Recruitment process is as follows:

If you are shortlisted, there will be an opportunity to attend an assessment session on 19th March at our Sutton site between 10-12.

If you are successful, applicants will be interviewed with University of Sheffield, date to be confirmed.

Please contact Sinead Rothrie [email protected] or Kate Ashforth [email protected] or 0208 661 3038 for further information or to organise a visit.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Speech and Language Therapy apprentice is to support the management of patients under supervision of the SLTs for  patients across the lifespan, presenting with communication and/or swallowing disorders. The post aims to provide high standards of care to all in and outpatients at The Royal Marsden The Speech and Language Therapy Apprenticeship combines academic and work-based learning through collaboration between Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and the university provider – Sheffield Hallam University. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship the post holder will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Speech and Language Therapist.

This is a clinical post to support the SLT service to ensure delivery of safe, effective and efficient systems to maximise patients’ outcomes.

Administrative duties are also part of this role and entails mainly supporting the SLT in the development    of adequate and relevant information to patients and taking responsibility, with support from the SLT, for all the necessary clinic material ordering for the service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification:

Service Delivery

• Regularly liaise with the SLTs regarding patients’ progress
• Communicate effectively with other staff within the Trust, and outside agencies as required about patient related matters, with support from the SLT
• Prepare materials for clinic sessions for the SLTs, with support from the SLT

Administrative

• Deal with general telephone enquiries, and receiving and relaying messages appropriately
• Collating and organising information for meetings or to give patients.
• Communicate relevant patient information regarding any appointment changes as required to SLT and / or SLT administrator.
• To develop and maintain patient databases, including processing of outpatient referrals and waiting lists with support from the SLT