Assistant Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

If you are passionate about communication and would relish the challenge of working in a role in acute stroke care and rehabilitation, we would like to meet you!

We are looking for an assistant to join our multi-disciplinary Stroke Rehabilitation Team based at Maidstone hospital and Tonbridge Cottage Hospital to help in the delivery of our Speech and Language Therapy Service. We are looking for a flexible individual with an empathetic nature, who is keen, conscientious and a fast learner. You must enjoy working on your own and as part of multiple teams. If desired, the successful candidate would be supported to apply for an apprenticeship in Speech and Language Therapy.

You will be helping to perform early assessments and deliver therapy to patients under the direction of the Speech and Language therapy team. Some will have lost the ability to understand or use the spoken and\or written word, whilst others may have difficulty swallowing.

Main duties of the job

Your input will help support patients to regain these skills or, where this is not possible, to learn alternative ways of communicating, for example through gesture or drawing. In addition, you will be required to help with admin tasks, including the making of therapy resources to use with patients, inputting data and administering therapy groups.

We have an established assistant teaching programme to develop your knowledge and understanding. However, it would be beneficial to have had some previous experience as a Health Care Assistant, Clinical Support Worker, Therapy Assistant or Volunteer in a hospital or other health care environment, though this is not essential. Good communication and organisational skills are essential, and an engaging and creative outlook for delivering care highly desirable. As part of the multi-disciplinary team, you will work closely with therapists, nurses, doctors, the patient, their friends, carers and family.

Please note that this role may attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

o At least 27 days of annual leaveplus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).o Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefitso Blue Light card eligibilityo And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below