Job summary Senior Rehabilitation Assistant Speech and Language Therapy Apprenticeship Opportunity - Neuro Early Supported Discharge Team We are offering a unique opportunity for a motivated and committed individual to join our team as a Senior Rehab Assistant (Band 4). This role includes pathway approval and support to apply for a Level 6 Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) apprenticeship, leading to professional registration as a SLT. The ideal candidate will have experience working directly with patients in health or social care settings to support rehabilitation. They must meet the person specification for both the rehab assistant role and the apprenticeship programme and be able to work at a senior assistant level, supporting the multidisciplinary team in providing neuro-rehab for patients following a stroke or neurological event. A passion for Speech and Language Therapy and a commitment to professional development are essential. We will support the successful applicant in applying for a four-year apprenticeship at Bournemouth University or Sheffield University, allowing them to study while continuing in their role. While a Band 5 post is not guaranteed upon completion, opportunities may be available within the service and trust. A valid UK driving licence is essential for this community-based role. If you are looking to develop a career in Speech and Language Therapy, this is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience while training for professional registration. Main duties of the job The role involves working within a supportive MDT, delivering prescribed exercise and intervention programmes under the guidance of Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, a Neuropsychologist, and a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practice Nurse Specialist. If successful in securing an apprenticeship, the individual will increasingly focus on Speech and Language Therapy, with direct supervision from Band 6 and Band 7, oversight from the Professional Lead Speech and Language Therapist and exposure to the wider community Speech and Language Therapy services. You will be employed on a 4-year fixed term contract for the duration of your apprenticeship. On completion of your apprenticeship, you will need to partake in the recruitment process within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to secure a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist position with a starting salary of £29,970. Please see the separate Job Descriptions and Person Specifications attached for more detailed information. Please note the Band 4 Rehab Assistant is the role you will be in while you complete your apprenticeship, and the Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist is the Job Description once you are qualified. About us Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve. Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working. Date posted 21 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year based on full time hours Contract Apprenticeship Duration 4 years Working pattern Full-time Reference number 449-ADS-7342 Job locations Oakley Road Millbrook Southampton Hampshire SO16 4GX Job description Job responsibilities Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Descriptions and Person Specifications documents attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible. We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. Job description Job responsibilities Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Descriptions and Person Specifications documents attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible. We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Criteria for Band 4 Rehab Assistant role: Foundation Degree/Diploma or NVQ 3 with experience equivalent to a foundation degree level. Desirable Neurological specific training e.g. equipment, gait re-education, handling, Neuro/Stroke Rehabilitation, LTC management, Palliative care, Postural management, Continence Care. Experience Essential Experience of regular assessment and treatment of patients presenting with problems requiring therapeutic intervention, some of a complex nature. Recent NHS experience of treating people with a range of stroke / neurological needs e.g. continence, mobility, balance problems, cognitive deficits, dysphagia. Relevant experience of working within a multidisciplinary team in either a hospital or community setting (some of which has been gained within a UK setting). Working within a multi-professional team. Desirable Supervision and training of others. Involvement in regional or national clinical bodies e.g. clinical interest groups, conferences etc. Additional Criteria Essential Demonstrate strategies for effective organisation of own workload and that of junior staff on a day-to-day basis. Demonstrate and provide evidence of skill development and provide examples of good practice where key skills have been applied. Evidence of application of the rehabilitation process. Ability to act on own initiative and take responsibility e.g. contacting a senior clinician / other service when a client requires urgent attention. Able to use strategies to deal with difficult situations and appropriately seek support and advice when required. Shows flexibility and ability to work within a demanding and changing environment. Strong computer skills e.g. Word, Outlook. Demonstrate strategies for problem solving and clinical decision making. Good verbal and written skills e.g. pleasant manner when speaking to others, clear and concise messages delivered, legible handwriting. Able to communicate sensitive information in an appropriate and effective manner. Knowledge and understanding of the stroke rehabilitation process. Understanding of clinical governance requirements and demonstrates compliance. Understanding of health & safety responsibilities and demonstrates compliance. Understanding of data protection issues and the need for confidentiality to be maintained. Is able to work legally in the UK. Is able to work with children and vulnerable adults. Ability to travel daily for meetings across a range of sites in Southampton/Portsmouth/Hampshire. Access to transportation on a daily basis. Full UK driving licence if using car and willing to insure for business use. Ability to work weekend, weekday and evening shifts. Able to use strategies to deal with difficult situations and appropriately seek support and advice when required. Desirable Experience of participating in audit. Understanding of care management process. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Criteria for Band 4 Rehab Assistant role: Foundation Degree/Diploma or NVQ 3 with experience equivalent to a foundation degree level. Desirable Neurological specific training e.g. equipment, gait re-education, handling, Neuro/Stroke Rehabilitation, LTC management, Palliative care, Postural management, Continence Care. Experience Essential Experience of regular assessment and treatment of patients presenting with problems requiring therapeutic intervention, some of a complex nature. Recent NHS experience of treating people with a range of stroke / neurological needs e.g. continence, mobility, balance problems, cognitive deficits, dysphagia. Relevant experience of working within a multidisciplinary team in either a hospital or community setting (some of which has been gained within a UK setting). Working within a multi-professional team. Desirable Supervision and training of others. Involvement in regional or national clinical bodies e.g. clinical interest groups, conferences etc. Additional Criteria Essential Demonstrate strategies for effective organisation of own workload and that of junior staff on a day-to-day basis. Demonstrate and provide evidence of skill development and provide examples of good practice where key skills have been applied. Evidence of application of the rehabilitation process. Ability to act on own initiative and take responsibility e.g. contacting a senior clinician / other service when a client requires urgent attention. Able to use strategies to deal with difficult situations and appropriately seek support and advice when required. Shows flexibility and ability to work within a demanding and changing environment. Strong computer skills e.g. Word, Outlook. Demonstrate strategies for problem solving and clinical decision making. Good verbal and written skills e.g. pleasant manner when speaking to others, clear and concise messages delivered, legible handwriting. Able to communicate sensitive information in an appropriate and effective manner. Knowledge and understanding of the stroke rehabilitation process. Understanding of clinical governance requirements and demonstrates compliance. Understanding of health & safety responsibilities and demonstrates compliance. Understanding of data protection issues and the need for confidentiality to be maintained. Is able to work legally in the UK. Is able to work with children and vulnerable adults. Ability to travel daily for meetings across a range of sites in Southampton/Portsmouth/Hampshire. Access to transportation on a daily basis. Full UK driving licence if using car and willing to insure for business use. Ability to work weekend, weekday and evening shifts. Able to use strategies to deal with difficult situations and appropriately seek support and advice when required. Desirable Experience of participating in audit. Understanding of care management process. 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 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Address Oakley Road Millbrook Southampton Hampshire SO16 4GX Employer's website https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)