Job overview
Band 3 Speech and Language Therapy Apprenticeship – Whipps Cross Hospital
Are you a strong communicator with a desire to support individuals with life-changing swallowing and communication difficulties? Are you passionate, driven, and keen to start a fulfilling career within the NHS?
Barts Health NHS Trust has an exciting opportunity for an individual to embark on a career in Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) via a funded Level 6 apprenticeship course. This course comprises of attending university 1 day a week, with the remaining 4 days being based within the acute SLT team at Whipps Cross Hospital in an SLT assistant position.
The successful apprentice will attend the University of Hertfordshire to complete all required modules of study and undertake block clinical placements across different health and social care settings. Upon successful completion of the 4-year programme, the post holder will become a professionally qualified SLT with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will also be pivotal in supporting the acute team with clinical and non-clinical administration i.e. upkeep of ICT databases, preparation of discharge paper work, obtaining patient feedback, as well as undertaking key trust/local competencies in the assessment and management of adults with a range of communication and swallowing impairments through practical support on site, alongside broader university teachings.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will be supported by qualified Speech and Language Therapists in a friendly and supportive team; with regular supervision and peer support sessions, as well as access to a learning mentor to coordinate support between the hospital and the University.
Essential criteria for the role are Grade 4 (GCSE C equivalent or above) in Maths and English, as well as a Level 3 qualification (i.e. A-Levels, BTEC Extended Diploma, Access to HE Diploma, or equivalent Level 3 qualifications) or 112 UCAS points (Equivalent to BBC at A-Level, or Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a BTEC Extended Diploma).
Waltham Forest and Redbridge candidates will be prioritised in line with longer term plans to support local workforce growth.
Working for our organisation
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
Training / Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. English and Maths Level 2 qualifications (Grade C/4 or above)
2. 112 UCAS points (Equivalent to BBC at A-Level, or Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a BTEC Extended Diploma) / suitable Level 3 qualification (e.g. A-Levels, BTEC Extended Diploma, Access to HE Diploma, or equivalent Level 3 qualifications)
3. Right of abode in the UK
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Experience of working in a health/social/care environment with transferable skills
5. Working with adults with communication and swallowing difficulties
6. Working as a member of a team.
7. Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds and in different settings
8. Experience working with clients from multicultural/lingual backgrounds
9. Experience of using good customer relations and effective communication skills including face-to-face, telephone
10. Familiar with Hospital ICT systems / administration systems
Desirable criteria
11. Experience as an SLT assistant or support worker carrying out SLT interventions provided by qualified SLT
Skills
Essential criteria
12. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills
13. Ability to work under direction and learn new skills
14. Ability to prioritise and manage time effectively and meet deadlines
15. Ability to acknowledge own limitations and report difficulties
16. Negotiation and Problem solving Skills
17. Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
18. Well-developed concentration skills
19. Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
20. Good organisational skills
21. Ability to work independently and to take initiative
22. Demonstrates ability to be a good team member
23. Word processing/ICT skills – competent user of all Microsoft packages
Knowledge
Essential criteria
24. Understanding of the NHS environment.
25. Understanding of the importance of confidentiality
26. Understanding of the needs of people with communication difficulties
27. Knowledge of cultural issues in working with a multi -cultural caseload
28. Awareness of the principles of clinical governance /audit
29. Awareness of the roles of other professionals
30. Awareness of standards of record keeping
Other
Essential criteria
31. Flexibility and willingness to adapt in line with service, Team, and own development needs.
Desirable criteria
32. Registered Associate Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists