County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
The closing date is 26 June 2026
CDDFT Speech and Language Therapy is pleased to advertise a permanent Speech and Language Therapy Assistant post working at Darlington Memorial Hospital with communication disordered patients. The successful postholder will deliver routine communication therapy to a wide range of communication disorders in their own homes, out‑patient settings, make communication aid resources, and support qualified Speech and Language Therapists. The successful candidates will utilise their outstanding organisation and communication skills to achieve best patient outcomes whilst being well supported by qualified Speech and Language Therapists to develop a range of competencies in delivering excellent communication therapy and rehabilitation.
Main duties of the job
The Speech and Language Therapy Assistant will have a minimum of NVQ3 in social care, have a good track record of working with communication impaired vulnerable adults, have excellent computer literacy skills and be well organised as well as being able to independently travel across the Trust county‑wide. We will offer the successful candidate support and supervision to escalde their clinical skills in a wide range of communication rehab therapy practices as well as offering:
* Monthly staff meetings
* Regular management supervision
* In‑service training
* Well‑resourced department
* Clinical Leads in Communication, Dysphagia, Voice and Fluency
* Good access to communication aids
* Good IT access, mobile‑working laptop and phone
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre‑employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham.
We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester‑Le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community‑based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.
Full job descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI‑generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up‑to‑date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job responsibilities
The successful candidates should be interested in working with stroke patients to rehabilitate their communication skills. You will be committed to continuing professional development and have excellent communication and prioritisation skills.
The Speech and Language Therapy Service offers a supportive team of experienced colleagues who will help the further development of your skills.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* High standard of computer literacy, including using Microsoft Office
* NVQ level 3 health and social care
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Good verbal and written communication skills.
* Good interpersonal skills
* Knowledge of limited range of routine strategies and techniques for facilitating adults communication skills.
* Ability to make judgements involving straightforward facts or situations.
* Ability to plan and organise one's own working day to day work tasks or activities, including handling a small given caseload.
* Well‑developed empathic and listening skills.
* Skills in making judgements that involve a range of facts or situations, some of which may require analysis or comparison of a range of options.
* Organisational skills, including those related to diary management.
Special Requirements
* Able to travel independently county‑wide
* Driving posts must have valid Full UK driving licence
Experience
* Experience working with adults or another vulnerable communication impaired group
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
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata
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