Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Speech and Language Therapy Administrative Assistant

The closing date is 28 January 2026

Job summary

Speech and Language Therapy administrative Assistant

Dorset HealthCare are looking for an Administrative Assistant to join our busy community speech and language therapy team!

As an administrative Assistant you will be joining The Dorset Community Adult Speech and Language Therapy service that is supportive and dynamic and prides itself on making a difference to our patients. The admin team is lead by an admin team lead and consists of two other administrative assistants.

The main roles include managing telephone calls into the service, dealing with referrals and emails into the inbox, and writing, printing and sending reports for clinicians.

Admin is at the heart of our service and has a vital role in supporting delivery of speech and language therapy to our patients. We are looking for an organised, enthusiastic, compassionate person to join our team. Knowledge of swallowing and/or communication difficulties in adults would be a bonus.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Main duties of the job

To support the Administration functions of the adult community speech and language therapy service ensuring that the administrative needs of the services are achieved to the required standards.

To drive the delivery of efficient and accurate processing in the management of the patient journey from triage, treatment, onward referral, typing of reports/letters to discharge.

To establish and maintain communication with key stakeholders for the services - Primary Care referrers, clinicians, secondary care and independent providers.

To ensure patients and all contacts to the service are dealt with in a friendly and professional manner and that the experience is positive.

Support patient pathways meet the Triage target and Referral to Treatment target (RTT).

To provide administrative support to the senior managerial and clinical lead of the service.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

07 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£23,274 to £24,824 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

152-C335.25

Job locations

Alderney Hospital

Ringwood Road

Poole

BH12 4NB


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English and effective interpersonal communication skills.

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent in office procedures
  • English language qualification at CSE level or equivalent
  • Recent experience of working in a comparable role
  • Recent experience of working in a customer-focused role

Personal qualities/attributes

Essential

  • Ability to use own initiative within sphere of responsibility

Job specific experience

Essential

  • IT skills - Microsoft office functions and Clinical patient record systems
Person Specification

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English and effective interpersonal communication skills.

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • NVQ level 3 or equivalent in office procedures
  • English language qualification at CSE level or equivalent
  • Recent experience of working in a comparable role
  • Recent experience of working in a customer-focused role

Personal qualities/attributes

Essential

  • Ability to use own initiative within sphere of responsibility

Job specific experience

Essential

  • IT skills - Microsoft office functions and Clinical patient record systems

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 details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alderney Hospital

Ringwood Road

Poole

BH12 4NB


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Alderney Hospital

Ringwood Road

Poole

BH12 4NB


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Admin Team Lead

Nicki Latter

nicki.latter@nhs.net

01202307766

Details

Date posted

07 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£23,274 to £24,824 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

152-C335.25

Job locations

Alderney Hospital

Ringwood Road

Poole

BH12 4NB


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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