We are looking for
a motivated and caring individual to join our Speech & Language Therapy and Nutrition & Dietetics teams at Bristol Royal Infirmary as an Apprentice Assistant Practitioner!
This is an exciting opportunity to develop your healthcare career, gaining hands-on clinical experience while completing a fully funded Level 5 Foundation Degree apprenticeship over two years (starting Autumn 2026).
You will work in our fast-paced “front door” services (Emergency Department and Assessment Units), supporting patients with communication and nutritional needs as part of a multidisciplinary team.
What You’ll Gain
1. A fully funded Level 5 Foundation Degree
2. 4 days clinical experience and 1 dedicated study day per week
3. Support from experienced clinicians and regular supervision
4. A pathway to a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner role, subject to successful completion and required performance
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must:
5. Be aged 18+
6. Have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3 years
7. Have legal right to work in the UK for the duration of the apprenticeship (relevant visas must permit work and study)
8. Not be on another government-funded programme
9. Not hold a qualification in the same subject at the same level or above
10. Hold GCSE Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above) & a Level 3 qualification (e.g. NVQ, RQF Level 3, A-level or equivalent)
This apprenticeship requires independent study outside working hours. You must be able to manage both work and study commitments.
11. Undertake nutritional and dysphagia risk screening (e.g. MUST) and escalate concerns appropriately
12. Support patients to meet their nutritional needs, following dietary and dysphagia guidance
13. Assist patients with communication difficulties under the guidance of Speech & Language Therapists
14. Contribute to the safe management of special diets and food allergies
15. Support the implementation and review of patient care and therapy plans
16. Maintain stock levels of patient information resources
17. Work closely with the multidisciplinary team to support patient care and discharge planning
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.