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Job summary

Main area
Speech & Language
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent: Apprenticeship
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
282-SA1255
Employer
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Royal Marsden Sutton
Town
Sutton
Salary
£29,651 - £31,312 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/03/2026 23:59

Employer heading

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust logo

Speech Therapy Assistant/ Apprentice

NHS AfC: Band 3

Job overview

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 [email protected] or Kate Ashforth [email protected] 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 Marsden
The 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.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main 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 Requirement
This is an apprenticeship position, and therefore candidates must meet the government‑set 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 (2025–2026)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-2025-to-2026

Person specification

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Essential criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • 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

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDApprenticeships logoLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStep into health

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sinead Rothrie
Job title
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Email address
[email protected]
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