Job summary
Are you passionate about Speech and Language Therapy? Are you a forward-thinking and dynamic team member who is seeking new opportunities for career progression through professional development and enhanced clinical skills? If yes, then this may be the opportunity for you!
We are pleased to offer an exciting development opportunity for a motivated individual with experience as a therapy assistant to train as a Speech and Language Therapist through a Degree Apprenticeship. Applicants must have experience of supporting people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and/or with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. The apprenticeship will be delivered by the University of Sheffield over a four-year period, beginning in September 2026.
The post will be based within the Acute Inpatients Speech Therapy team at Royal Liverpool Hospital. 20% of the learner's time is allocated to learning delivered virtually by the University of Sheffield, 20% for independent study including practice placements and 60% for work-based learning. You will be supported with on-the-job training and will have regular access to a work-based learning mentor and University Learning Coach to guide your studies.
Salary is generated based on agenda for change Annex 21 terms and conditions.
Please see attached document which provides further information about the apprenticeship/ entry criteria. A competitive interview process will be undertaken jointly with the University.
Main duties of the job
To provide a Speech & Language Therapy Service to patients who have acquired communication disorders, dysphagia and voice problems both as in and outpatients in the acute setting with supervision as required.
During your 4 year training you will be supported in developing skills to undertake assessments and develop/carry out treatment plans for a variety of client groups.
You will utilise problem solving skills, clinical reasoning and risk assessment alongside evidence based practise to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver an optimum quality service for patients and their families.
As an evolving clinician you will work alongside patients and their families supporting shared decision making, enabling safe discharge and liaising with MDT & community teams as appropriate.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see Apprenticeship Role Descriptor & Person Specification and Band 5 Job Description & Person Specification for further details.
Clinical
Undertake assessment of communication and swallowing impaired patients
Formulate and implement treatment plans based on assessment findings with supervision and support available from senior
Review the treatment programme ensuring it is meeting the needs of the patient
Work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team -attending meetings/case conferences
Ensure effective communication with patients, carers and other Health Care Professionals regarding all aspects of the patients care via direct liaison or written information tailored to individual needs and taking account of patients impaired comprehension and/or expression.
Help other Health Care Professionals communicate with patients who have impaired language skills.
Work closely with Community staff to facilitate a seamless rehabilitation service across the city.
To participate in planning and carrying out group therapy for patients with communication difficulties.
Education & Training
Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio that reflects personal development.
Attend relevant postgraduate training courses. Disseminate course information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see Apprenticeship Role Descriptor & Person Specification and Band 5 Job Description & Person Specification for further details.
Clinical
Undertake assessment of communication and swallowing impaired patients
Formulate and implement treatment plans based on assessment findings with supervision and support available from senior
Review the treatment programme ensuring it is meeting the needs of the patient
Work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team -attending meetings/case conferences
Ensure effective communication with patients, carers and other Health Care Professionals regarding all aspects of the patients care via direct liaison or written information tailored to individual needs and taking account of patients impaired comprehension and/or expression.
Help other Health Care Professionals communicate with patients who have impaired language skills.
Work closely with Community staff to facilitate a seamless rehabilitation service across the city.
To participate in planning and carrying out group therapy for patients with communication difficulties.
Education & Training
Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio that reflects personal development.
Attend relevant postgraduate training courses. Disseminate course information.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience of working as a Therapy Assistant
- Experience of working with people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and/or eating, drinking and swallowing needs
Desirable
- Experience of clinical decision-making with support from qualified staff
Qualifications
Essential
- 3 A-levels ABB or an equivalent L3 qualification and, At least three GCSE passes at grade C / grade 4 or above including Maths & English - or equivalent e.g. level 2 functional skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate insight into the role and responsibilities of the apprenticeship post
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the SLT HCPC and RCSLT professional body guidelines
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance of quality care
- Awareness of own limitations and recognises when to seek advice
- Committed to personal development
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills with patients, their families, SLT colleagues and the multidisciplinary team
- Able to prioritise workload both in work and in studies
- Ability to work flexibly under pressure
- Demonstrate leadership abilities and motivate and inspire others
- IT skills including Microsoft Office
Desirable
- Experience in providing training or support to others
Other
Essential
- Meet satisfactory safe employment check standards
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience of working as a Therapy Assistant
- Experience of working with people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and/or eating, drinking and swallowing needs
Desirable
- Experience of clinical decision-making with support from qualified staff
Qualifications
Essential
- 3 A-levels ABB or an equivalent L3 qualification and, At least three GCSE passes at grade C / grade 4 or above including Maths & English - or equivalent e.g. level 2 functional skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate insight into the role and responsibilities of the apprenticeship post
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the SLT HCPC and RCSLT professional body guidelines
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance of quality care
- Awareness of own limitations and recognises when to seek advice
- Committed to personal development
Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills with patients, their families, SLT colleagues and the multidisciplinary team
- Able to prioritise workload both in work and in studies
- Ability to work flexibly under pressure
- Demonstrate leadership abilities and motivate and inspire others
- IT skills including Microsoft Office
Desirable
- Experience in providing training or support to others
Other
Essential
- Meet satisfactory safe employment check standards
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.
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
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.
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).
