Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioner
The closing date is 03 November 2026

Job summary
Please note, we cannot offer a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role. If you currently require a visa to work in the UK, there must be a minimum of 14 months remaining until the expiry date. If you do not disclose your expiry date within your application, it may not be considered.

An exciting opportunity as a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioner has arisen to work in our team at the Sub-Acute Stroke Rehab Unit (SSARU). A chance to be a member of the direct care team who supports registered SLTs to meet patient needs. You'll be an integral part of making a difference to our community by providing assistance and therapy to patients, providing speech and language rehabilitation to stroke patients and supporting the team as delegated by the registered practitioner.

The SSARU at South Bristol Community Hospital is a rehabilitation unit for people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire who have experienced a recent stroke. We provide focused therapy in a supported environment. The aim of the SSARU is to support those who've had a stroke to achieve or work towards their goals.

This position is based South Bristol Community Hospital (SBCH). Where you will be working in a supportive multi-disciplinary team that includes Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs), Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and other AHPs.

This role is for 30 hours per week.

Main duties of the job
As a Speech and language Therapy (SLT) Assistance Practitioner, you will be expected to undertake a range of duties under the direction of Speech and language therapist, providing compassionate assistance and therapy to agreed quality standards.
Some of these duties will include...

• Rehabilitation working on exercises that promote speech, language as well as swallowing. You will providing a range of support that will include both direct and indirect patient contact while being supported by the SLT team.
• Supporting clinicians with patients who have communication, cognitive and swallowing difficulties, following stroke and working within a framework agreed by a registered SLT
• Monitoring patient response to SLT input, evaluating outcomes and adapting input as appropriate, liaising when necessary with therapy staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team. This will involve working under indirect supervision, reporting back patient progress and informing therapists of any problems.
• Providing administrative support for the SLTs teams in terms of preparation of materials, data collection, collation of clinical information, and handover to other teams

About us
Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas.

We are Sirona care & health - England's largest provider of Adult's and Children's Community Services and we'd love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days' annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme - just a glimpse of the benefits you'll receive.

We welcome and encourage all applicants. We are committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities we support and are proactively seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce. We know diversity fosters creativity and innovation.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We aim to draw upon the widest possible range of views and experiences to meet the changing needs of our colleagues, partners and communities we serve.

Whether you're starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don't be daunted by the prospect of something different - we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.

Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find attached to this vacancy.

Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 083-8363211-HO
Job locations: South Bristol Community Hospital, Hengrove Parade, Bristol, BS14 0DE, United Kingdom

Person Specification
Qualification and training
Essential

• Successful completion of relevant Foundation Degree modules / Diploma in Clinical Health and Social Care / diploma level 3 or equivalent experience as band 4 therapy support worker

Desirable

• CPD in neurology, stroke and aphasia/ dysphagia

Skills, Experience and Knowledge
Essential

• Previous experience of working with patients/ clients with communication difficulties in a health or social care setting
• Ability to work effectively and contribute as a member of a multi-therapy and multi-disciplinary team
• To be able to use IT for key team functions (e.g. MS Outlook, MS Teams, Excel) as well as specific clinical related uses as required
• The ability to manage, maintain and prioritise own case-load
• An understanding of the law surrounding data protection and confidentiality
• Able to use a range of verbal and non verbal methods of communication
• Working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and issues relating to consent

Desirable

• Some knowledge of swallowing difficulties and management in stroke or other neurological conditions
• Experience of training of others

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Sirona care & health CIC
Address: South Bristol Community Hospital, Hengrove Parade, Bristol, BS14 0DE, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.sirona-cic.org.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Lydia.morgan, lydia.morgan9@nhs.net

Sirona care & health CIC's privacy notice