B4 Senior Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (Medicine and Stroke)

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospital trust in Birmingham is seeking a Senior Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to support patients with swallowing and communication needs. The ideal candidate will assist in therapy programmes, work closely with qualified therapists, and have a robust induction and supervision structure. Previous experience in a healthcare setting is essential, along with knowledge of speech therapy techniques. This permanent role offers career development opportunities and a diverse clinical caseload within a supportive team.

Benefits

Full induction programme

Opportunities for career development

Access to well-being facilities

Peer support and supervision

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths / English / Science.
• Knowledge of speech, language and swallowing therapy techniques.
• Significant experience in a healthcare setting.
• Experience of completing dysphagia screening tests.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Speech and Language Therapy service to patients in hospital.
• Provide communication and swallowing therapy.
• Work closely with the multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Knowledge of speech, language and swallowing therapy techniques

Communication skills (verbal and non-verbal)

Experience in a healthcare setting

Teamwork

Education

GCSE level or equivalent in Maths / English / Science

Tools

NHS computer programmes

Job description

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

B4 Senior Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (Medicine and Stroke)

The closing date is 05 January 2026

We have an exciting opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to join our team at QEHB on a permanent basis. The successful candidate would work in a 70/30 split within medicine the majority of the time (medicine would cover respiratory, emergency department and acute medical wards) and on the Stroke unit with the remainder of the time. The post holder would work alongside qualified therapists and would complete therapy programmes for swallowing and communication impairments, Dysphagia screening tests and therapy supported meal times.

You would benefit from a robust supervision structure alongside innovation, participation in research and clinical/professional development being encouraged.

QEHB benefits from one of the largest acute SLT teams in the country with more than 40 team members and our Trust is one of the largest teaching hospital Trusts in England serving a national and international population, treating over 2.8 million people every year. We are a regional centre for cancer, trauma, renal dialysis and have a series of highly specialist cardiac, liver, transplant and neurosurgery services.

The team offers:

• A full induction programme, robust supervision & peer support
• A wide range of opportunities for career development
• Access to well-being facilities, mindfulness sessions & an on-site faith centre
• Modern facilities with good transport links

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate would work within the Acute Medicine and Stroke SLT team at QEHB serving a diverse clinical caseload. You would work closely with the SLT Team Leaders, Specialist SLTs, Band 5 SLTs and Band 4 peers to provide an excellent level of care to our patient group. The role is permanent and is based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston Birmingham.

The successful candidate would assist and support the work of the Speech and Language Therapy service to patients in hospital with swallowing and communication needs including aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, cognitive-communication changes and dysphonia. This will include the provision of communication and swallowing therapy, assisting at mealtimes, completing dysphagia screening tests (DST), completing referrals and liaising with patients, families, carers and the MDT.

The post holder will work closely with members of the multidisciplinary team at QEHB with particular emphasis on close working relationships with the occupational therapy, physiotherapy team, dietetic team and nursing/medical teams as well as with carers and voluntary organisations.

We have a large team who share a caseload of diverse patient cohorts so being a team player is essential. We would welcome a candidate who is has experience working with patients in specialist areas but our supportive team will be willing to support your development in these areas.

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Job responsibilities

Please note: For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths / English / Science
• Knowledge of speech, language and swallowing therapy techniques and verbal and non-verbal methods of communication – acquired through a combination of formal and informal training, short courses, and clinical experience up to a diploma level qualification or equivalent.

Experience

• Significant experience of working in a healthcare setting and ideally an acute dysphagia or communication caseload.
• Significant experience of working in a clinical environment
• Significant experience of working with the general public
• Experience of working as part of a therapy team
• Significant knowledge of the role of Speech and Language Therapy
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of dysphagia, dysarthria, dyspraxia, dysphonia and dysphasia.
• Experience of using a full range of NHS computer programmes
• Experience of working within a Speech and Language Therapy Team
• Experience of completing dysphagia screening tests (DSTs)
• Experience of working with Stroke caseload

Additional Criteria

• Keen to embrace change consistent with delivery of service whilst keeping the patient as an individual at the centre of care.
• Punctual and reliable in service delivery.
• Ability to work weekends as part of a 7 day working pattern (when appropriate service delivery allows and commences)

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.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust