Job summary
- Main area
- Speech and Language Therapy/ Nutrition & Dietetics
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (including one Saturday every 8 weeks within the Dietetic rota)
- Job ref
- 387-DT9198-NG-A
- Employer
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bristol Royal Infirmary
- Town
- Bristol
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Apprentice Assistant Practitioner
Band 3
As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Click on this link to find out about our values https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/p/about-us/our-trust-values
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Job overview
We are looking for a motivated and caring individual to join our Speech & Language Therapy and Nutrition & Dietetics teams at Bristol Royal Infirmary as an Apprentice Assistant Practitioner!
This is an exciting opportunity to develop your healthcare career, gaining hands-on clinical experience while completing a fully funded Level 5 Foundation Degree apprenticeship over two years (starting Autumn 2026).
You will work in our fast-paced “front door” services (Emergency Department and Assessment Units), supporting patients with communication and nutritional needs as part of a multidisciplinary team.
What You’ll Gain
- A fully funded Level 5 Foundation Degree
- 4 days clinical experience and 1 dedicated study day per week
- Support from experienced clinicians and regular supervision
- A pathway to a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner role, subject to successful completion and required performance
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must:
- Be aged 18+
- Have lived in the UK/EEA for the past 3 years
- Have legal right to work in the UK for the duration of the apprenticeship (relevant visas must permit work and study)
- Not be on another government-funded programme
- Not hold a qualification in the same subject at the same level or above
- Hold GCSE Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above) & a Level 3 qualification (e.g. NVQ, RQF Level 3, A-level or equivalent)
This apprenticeship requires independent study outside working hours. You must be able to manage both work and study commitments.
Main duties of the job
- Undertake nutritional and dysphagia risk screening (e.g. MUST) and escalate concerns appropriately
- Support patients to meet their nutritional needs, following dietary and dysphagia guidance
- Assist patients with communication difficulties under the guidance of Speech & Language Therapists
- Contribute to the safe management of special diets and food allergies
- Support the implementation and review of patient care and therapy plans
- Maintain stock levels of patient information resources
- Work closely with the multidisciplinary team to support patient care and discharge planning
Working for our organisation
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a full overview of the Job Description, please refer to the PDF Job Description attached as an additional document to this advert
Patient Care:
At all times works within department protocols and procedures under the direct supervision to implement patient treatment plans.
Reports to supervisor daily about the clinical care of individual patients.
Following competency training, undertake delegated tasks to monitor & review patient treatment/therapy plans.
Champion the importance of mouth care for patients with dysphagia.
Ensures height and weights, nutrition risk screening of referred patients are recorded & promote importance of the accuracy of these measurements.
Assists and undertakes the completion of food record charts for individual patients.
Carry out computerised dietary analysis of food record charts.
Helps patients choose suitable meals, from the hospital menu and suggest alternatives when appropriate.
Reviews and monitors dietary intake of individual patients and compares to individual oral nutrition support care plan and supports patients in meeting their nutritional requirements
Records test results for individual patients, this will require use of electronic systems.
Helps with discharge arrangements for patients, including practical assistance sourcing patient information leaflets, nutritional supplements, and formatting of reports/ letters.
Be responsible for ensuring that you complete accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with departmental and Trust procedures.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE grade A- C (grade 4 and above) or equivalent in Maths and English
- Level 3 qualification ie A levels grade D & above / NVQ3 / T Level
- Willingness to study to undertake level 5 qualification foundation degree
Desirable criteria
- Completion of Care Certificate
- Basic food hygiene
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working with people, able to demonstrate calm, caring patient manner / attitude
- Ability to work in a variety of situations
- Experience of team working
- Experience of working as a healthcare support worker or similar, demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work
- Knowledge of different cultures, religions and ethnic groups
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
- Effective communication skills, spoken and written
- Time management
- Ability to prioritise
- Good IT skills including Microsoft packages
- Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
- Ability to work co-dependently
- Self-motivated
- Able to recognise own limitations
- Be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard
Desirable criteria
- Familiarity with computerised administration and ordering systems
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Samantha-Marie Newport
- Job title
- Dietetic Lead for Front Door
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01173427360
- Additional information
We would be really happy to have an informal chat or to arrange a visit to our team if you are considering applying - please just get in touch!
List jobs with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust in Allied Health Professions or all sectors









