Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioner / Support Worker

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service provider in Tees Valley is recruiting a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioner to support therapists in delivering services to patients with communication impairments. This role involves patient assessments, therapy support, and facilitating groups, requiring strong interpersonal skills and relevant qualifications. Ideal for candidates with NHS experience looking to progress in a specialized field of healthcare.

Benefits

Leadership and improvement training

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Previous experience in NHS care role is essential.
• Experience of working within a Speech and Language Therapy service.
• Experience of supporting patients with communication difficulties.

Responsibilities

• Support therapists in delivering Speech and Language Therapy services.
• Conduct patient assessments and support ongoing therapy programmes.
• Facilitate patient support groups.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Basic IT skills

Communication skills

Education

A-levels or equivalent Level 3 qualification

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Foundation Degree Level 4 in Health and Social Care

Job description

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioner / Support Worker

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 16 November 2025

ADULT SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY (ADULT ACQUIRED SERVICE)

BAND 3 to 4 development post - SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY SUPPORT WORKER / ASSISTANT PRACTITIONER

Fixed term post - 12 months

There is a possibility that permanent funding may be secured in the future.

37.5 hrs per week (Full time)

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated person who has previous experience of working within an Adult Speech and Language Therapy service in the NHS.

Following successful funding to support a 12 month service development within the specialist area of Head and Neck cancer, we are looking for an enthusiastic person who is willing to learn and develop in this role. There is a possibility that permanent funding may be secured if post objectives are achieved.

They will possess excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to work both independently and within a multi-disciplinary team. This is a band 4 post, however, as this is such a specialist area we are willing to consider suitable Band 3 applicants who would work through a number of training objectives to achieve the desired competencies for progression. Experience of working with cancer patients and within speech therapy services is desirable.

You will support therapists to provide a clinical Speech & Language Therapy service to people who have communication and/or swallowing impairments including voice disorders and particularly with patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer.

Main duties of the job

You will work very closely with the Speech and Language Therapists working within the Head and Neck Cancer / Voice team, based at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. In addition you will also work as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team within this specialty.

Work will include supporting specialist staff with patient assessments, ongoing therapy programmes and training, delivery of prehabilitation for patients due to undertake radiotherapy, supporting with ordering of specialist equipment, facilitating patient support groups.

You can expect to receive regular supervision from a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and be encouraged to take an active part in service improvement, clinical governance and continuing professional development as appropriate to your role. You will also be supported by our experienced team of therapists, plus clerical support, which is based in our offices at The James Cook University Hospital.

About us

We support the Making Every Contact Count approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our staff in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions: Your Leadership Impact, Service Improvement for Beginners.

After you complete these one and a half days of training, you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) for main responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification

Knowledge and skills - Band 3

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills. Ability to adopt appropriate styles and methods of communication.
• Basic IT skills to use electronic patient records, systmone and other Trust systems.
• Working knowledge of STHFT policies and procedures.

Qualifications and Training - Band 3

• o3 A-levels OR Health and Science T-level OR equivalent level 3 qualification(s) and Functional Skills (level 2) OR oAs a level 3 apprenticeship, such as the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship (or other level 3 qualification pathway) oAND/OR oShort courses and completion of competency workbook equivalent to Level 3 in a range of patient and clinical care duties oAND/OR oEquivalent knowledge and experience in a range of clinical care duties equivalent to Level 3; oTheoretical knowledge oExperience of a range of care and related procedures oKnowledge of relevant legislation
• Care certificate training

Experience - Band 3

• Experience of working in an NHS care role.
• Experience of working within a Speech and Language Therapy service
• Experience of working with patients with cancer.
• Experience of working with, and supporting, patients with communication difficulties.

Knowledge and skills - Band 4

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Confident with use of ICT and standard programmes including word, excel, email
• Awareness of the function of the Speech & Language Therapy Service.
• Experience at training others / providing or supporting presentations
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of patient conditions and treatment within Head and Neck/ENT specialty.

Qualifications and training - Band 4

• Achieved minimum of NVQ Level 2 qualification or equivalent, e.g. 4 to 5 GCSEs at grade A* to C / or 9 to 4, to include English and Maths
• Foundation Degree Level 4 or equivalent in Level 4 qualification in Health and Social Care
• Registered Associate member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Experience - Band 4

• Experience of working within the NHS within a variety of clinical areas at band 2/3 level.
• Experience of working within a Speech and Language Therapy department (e.g. Speech therapy assistant role )
• Experience of working with people with communication / swallowing difficulties
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working
• Experience with use of electronic clinical record systems

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.

Employer name

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust