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Job summary

Main area
Therapies
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent: Annex 21 conditions - will move into Band 5 post following successful completion of apprenticeship programme
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (20% of the learner’s time is allocated to learning and teaching delivered virtually by the University of Sheffield, 20% for independent study including practice placements and 60% for work-based learning.)
Job ref
287-RMED-43-26
Employer
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Liverpool Hospital
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£31,049 - £37,796 Annex 21 - will move to Band 5 after apprenticeship completion
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
20/02/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Apprenticeship Speech and Language Therapist - Annex 21

Band 5

Job overview

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.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main 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 criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • Experience of clinical decision-making with support from qualified staff

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • Experience in providing training or support to others

Other

Essential criteria
  • Meet satisfactory safe employment check standards

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Fair Employment Charter Status - Aspiring LevelNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardTrust IDVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleInvestors in PeopleArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Carer confident logo, the employers for carers confident schemeDisability confident committedStep into health

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Ally Murray
Job title
Therapy Lead for Speech and Language Therapy
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0151 706 2777
Additional information

Informal visits are welcome, please contact 

Amanda Doherty

Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist / Apprenticeship Mentor

[email protected]

0151 706 2703

 

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