Job overview
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 will be secured in the future)
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.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main 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
Essential criteria
1. Excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills. Ability to adopt appropriate styles and methods of communication.
2. Basic IT skills to use electronic patient records, systmone and other Trust systems.
Desirable criteria
3. Working knowledge of STHFT policies and procedures.
Qualifications and Training - Band 3
Essential criteria
4. 3 A-levels OR Health and Science T-level OR equivalent level 3 qualification(s) and Functional Skills (level 2) OR As a level 3 apprenticeship, such as the Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship (or other level 3 qualification pathway) AND/OR Short courses and completion of competency workbook equivalent to Level 3 in a range of patient and clinical care duties AND/OR Equivalent knowledge and experience in a range of clinical care duties equivalent to Level 3; Theoretical knowledge Experience of a range of care and related procedures Clinical observations Knowledge of relevant legislation
Desirable criteria
5. Care certificate training
Experience - Band 3
Essential criteria
6. Experience of working in an NHS care role.
7. Experience of working within a Speech and Language Therapy service
8. Experience of working with patients with cancer.
9. Experience of working with, and supporting, patients with communication difficulties.
Knowledge and skills - Band 4
Essential criteria
10. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
11. Confident with use of ICT and standard programmes including word, excel, email
12. Awareness of the function of the Speech & Language Therapy Service.
Desirable criteria
13. Experience at training others / providing or supporting presentations
14. Practical and theoretical knowledge of patient conditions and treatment within Head and Neck/ENT specialty.
Qualifications and training - Band 4
Essential criteria
15. Achieved minimum of NVQ Level 2 qualification or equivalent, 4 to 5 GCSEs at grade A* to C / or 9 to 4, to include English and Maths
16. Foundation Degree Level 4 or equivalent in Level 4 qualification in Health and Social Care
Desirable criteria
17. Advanced level qualification in appropriate subject, English
18. Registered Associate member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Experience - Band 4
Essential criteria
19. Experience of working within the NHS within a variety of clinical areas at band 2/3 level.
20. Experience of working within a Speech and Language Therapy department ( Speech therapy assistant role )
21. Experience of working with people with communication / swallowing difficulties
22. Experience of multi-disciplinary working
23. Experience with use of electronic clinical record systems
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is now the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.