Job summary
The Royal Marsden 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 requires attending university 1 day a week, with the remaining 4 days based within the SLT team at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton in an SLT assistant position. The successful apprentice will attend the University of Sheffield, remotely, 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. This developing role starts at band 3 progressing to bands 4 and 5 as competencies are met. You will receive practical support on site alongside broader university teachings and will participate in regular supervision, peer support sessions, and access to a learning mentor to coordinate hospital and university support.
The Recruitment process is as follows:
If you are shortlisted, there will be an opportunity to attend an assessment session on 19th March at our Sutton site between 10-12.
If you are successful, applicants will be interviewed with University of Sheffield, date to be confirmed.
Please contact Sinead Rothrie sinead.rothrie@rmh.nhs.uk or Kate Ashforth Kate.ashforth@rmh.nhs.uk or 0208 661 3038 for further information or to organise a visit.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Speech and Language Therapy apprentice is to support the management of patients under supervision of the SLTs for patients across the lifespan, presenting with communication and/or swallowing disorders. The post aims to provide high standards of care to all in and outpatients at The Royal MarsdenThe Speech and Language Therapy Apprenticeship combines academic and work-based learning through collaboration between Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and the university provider - Sheffield Hallam University. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship the post holder will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Speech and Language Therapist.
This is a clinical post to support the SLT service to ensure delivery of safe, effective and efficient systems to maximise patients' outcomes.
Administrative duties are also part of this role and entails mainly supporting the SLT in the development of adequate and relevant information to patients and taking responsibility, with support from the SLT, for all the necessary clinic material ordering for the service.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification:
Service Delivery
- Regularly liaise with the SLTs regarding patients progress
- Communicate effectively with other staff within the Trust, and outside agencies as required about patient related matters, with support from the SLT
- Prepare materials for clinic sessions for the SLTs, with support from the SLT
Administrative
- Deal with general telephone enquiries, and receiving and relaying messages appropriately
- Collating and organising information for meetings or to give patients.
- Communicate relevant patient information regarding any appointment changes as required to SLT and / or SLT administrator.
- To develop and maintain patient databases, including processing of outpatient referrals and waiting lists with support from the SLT
Essential Apprenticeship Eligibility RequirementThis is an apprenticeship position, and therefore candidates must meet the governmentset Apprenticeship Funding Rules to be considered. These rules include eligibility based on residency, right to work in the UK, and limitations on prior learning. The Department for Education states that apprenticeships must only fund training that develops new skills; therefore, candidates with significant prior learning or experience that fully covers the apprenticeship standard may not be eligible for funding. Applicants who do not meet these requirements cannot be shortlisted.Full details are available here:GOV.UK Apprenticeship Funding Rules (20252026)https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-2025-to-2026
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification:
Service Delivery
- Regularly liaise with the SLTs regarding patients progress
- Communicate effectively with other staff within the Trust, and outside agencies as required about patient related matters, with support from the SLT
- Prepare materials for clinic sessions for the SLTs, with support from the SLT
Administrative
- Deal with general telephone enquiries, and receiving and relaying messages appropriately
- Collating and organising information for meetings or to give patients.
- Communicate relevant patient information regarding any appointment changes as required to SLT and / or SLT administrator.
- To develop and maintain patient databases, including processing of outpatient referrals and waiting lists with support from the SLT
Essential Apprenticeship Eligibility RequirementThis is an apprenticeship position, and therefore candidates must meet the governmentset Apprenticeship Funding Rules to be considered. These rules include eligibility based on residency, right to work in the UK, and limitations on prior learning. The Department for Education states that apprenticeships must only fund training that develops new skills; therefore, candidates with significant prior learning or experience that fully covers the apprenticeship standard may not be eligible for funding. Applicants who do not meet these requirements cannot be shortlisted.Full details are available here:GOV.UK Apprenticeship Funding Rules (20252026)https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-2025-to-2026
Person Specification
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Interest in Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and awareness of the role of the SLT
- A genuine interest in working with oncology patients and an understanding of the impact of cancer and its treatments
- Able to write simple reports and produce simple written resources with support from the SLT
- Ability to gather and process information.
- The ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English to a wide range of people.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
- Self-motivated, well organised, enthusiastic and resourceful to produce good quality work.
- Ability to remain calm when under pressure and cope with unanticipated demands with support from the SLT
- Ability to demonstrate time management skills and prioritization skills working within the SLT Department and studying at university with support from the SLT
- Ability to deal with patients, relatives and other service users, some of whom may be anxious, distressed or angry, in an empathic manner with support from the SLT
- An understanding of confidentiality issues and protocols in relation to healthcare
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Three GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English language. Level 2 equivalent qualifications (e.g., Functional Skills) are accepted. Level 2 qualifications must have been achieved at the point of enrolment
- Some experience of working with the public
Person Specification
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Interest in Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and awareness of the role of the SLT
- A genuine interest in working with oncology patients and an understanding of the impact of cancer and its treatments
- Able to write simple reports and produce simple written resources with support from the SLT
- Ability to gather and process information.
- The ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English to a wide range of people.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
- Self-motivated, well organised, enthusiastic and resourceful to produce good quality work.
- Ability to remain calm when under pressure and cope with unanticipated demands with support from the SLT
- Ability to demonstrate time management skills and prioritization skills working within the SLT Department and studying at university with support from the SLT
- Ability to deal with patients, relatives and other service users, some of whom may be anxious, distressed or angry, in an empathic manner with support from the SLT
- An understanding of confidentiality issues and protocols in relation to healthcare
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Three GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English language. Level 2 equivalent qualifications (e.g., Functional Skills) are accepted. Level 2 qualifications must have been achieved at the point of enrolment
- Some experience of working with the public
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
