University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

B4 Senior Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (Medicine and Stroke)

The closing date is 05 January 2026

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to join our team at QEHB on a permanent basis. The successful candidate would work in a 70/30 split within medicine the majority of the time (medicine would cover respiratory, emergency department and acute medical wards) and on the Stroke unit with the remainder of the time. The post holder would work alongside qualified therapists and would complete therapy programmes for swallowing and communication impairments, Dysphagia screening tests and Therapy supported meal times.

You would benefit from a robust supervision structure alongside innovation, participation in research and clinical/professional development being encouraged.

QEHB benefits from one of the largest acute SLT teams in the country with more than 40 team members and our Trust is one of the largest teaching hospital Trusts in England serving a national and international population, treating over 2.8 million people every year. We are a regional centre for cancer, trauma, renal dialysis and have a series of highly specialist cardiac, liver, transplant and neurosurgery services.

The team offers:

*A full induction programme, robust supervision & peer support

*A wide range of opportunities for career development

*Access to well-being facilities, mindfulness sessions & an on-site faith centre

*Modern facilities with good transport links

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate would work within the Acute Medicine and Stroke SLT team at QEHB serving a diverse clinical caseload. You would work closely with the SLT Team Leaders, Specialist SLTs, Band 5 SLTs and Band 4 peers to provide an excellent level of care to our patient group. The role is permanent is based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston Birmingham.

The successful candidate would assist and support the work of the Speech and Language Therapy service to patients in hospital with swallowing and communication needs including aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, cognitive-communication changes and dysphonia. This will include the provision of communication and swallowing therapy, assisting at mealtimes, completing dysphagia screening tests (DST), completing referrals and liaising with patients, families, carers and the MDT.

The post holder will work closely members with of the multidisciplinary team at the QEHB with particular emphasis of close working relationships with the occupational therapy, physiotherapy team, dietetic team and nursing/medical teams as well as with carers and voluntary organisations.

We have a large team who share a caseload of diverse patient cohorts so being a team player is essential. We would welcome a candidate who is has experience working with patients in specialist areas but our supportive team will be willing to support your development in these areas.

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Date posted

30 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

304-1098480

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

West Midlands

B15 2TH

Job description

Job responsibilities

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Job description

Job responsibilities

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths / English / Science
Knowledge of speech, language and swallowing therapy techniques and verbal and non-verbal methods of communication - acquired through a combination of formal and informal training, short courses, and clinical experience up to a diploma level qualification or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

Significant experience of working in a healthcare setting and ideally an acute dysphagia or communication caseload.
Significant experience of working in a clinical environment
Significant experience of working with the general public
Experience of working as part of a therapy team
Significant knowledge of the role of Speech and Language Therapy
Theoretical and practical knowledge of dysphagia, dysarthria, dyspraxia, dysphonia and dysphasia.

Desirable

Experience of using a full range of NHS computer programmes
Experience of working within a Speech and Language Therapy Team
Experience of completing dysphagia screening tests (DSTs)
Experience of working with Stroke caseload

Additional Criteria

Essential

Keen to embrace change consistent with delivery of service whilst keeping the patient as an individual at the centre of care.
Punctual and reliable in service delivery.
Ability to work weekends as part of a 7 day working pattern (when appropriate service delivery allows and commences)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths / English / Science
Knowledge of speech, language and swallowing therapy techniques and verbal and non-verbal methods of communication - acquired through a combination of formal and informal training, short courses, and clinical experience up to a diploma level qualification or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

Significant experience of working in a healthcare setting and ideally an acute dysphagia or communication caseload.
Significant experience of working in a clinical environment
Significant experience of working with the general public
Experience of working as part of a therapy team
Significant knowledge of the role of Speech and Language Therapy
Theoretical and practical knowledge of dysphagia, dysarthria, dyspraxia, dysphonia and dysphasia.

Desirable

Experience of using a full range of NHS computer programmes
Experience of working within a Speech and Language Therapy Team
Experience of completing dysphagia screening tests (DSTs)
Experience of working with Stroke caseload

Additional Criteria

Essential

Keen to embrace change consistent with delivery of service whilst keeping the patient as an individual at the centre of care.
Punctual and reliable in service delivery.
Ability to work weekends as part of a 7 day working pattern (when appropriate service delivery allows and commences)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

West Midlands

B15 2TH

Employer's website

https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Mindelsohn Way

Birmingham

West Midlands

B15 2TH

Employer's website

https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm (Opens in a new tab)