About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic SLT/Dietetic Assistant Practitioner to join the Critical Care therapy team at Aintree Hospital. This role is ideal for someone passionate about supporting patients with nutrition, swallowing and communication needs within a complex critical care environment. You will work across Speech and Language Therapy and Dietetics, with a strong emphasis on learning and development, using the ICS capability framework to support the progression of skills and competencies across both professions. Alongside this specialist role, you will also support other AHPs on the unit and work closely with another Band 4 Assistant Practitioner who supports Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual who thrives on teamwork, development and making a meaningful difference to patient outcomes.
Clinical Responsibilities within the job description will be tailored to Dietetic and Speech and Language Therapy needs.
Main duties of the job
The Assistant Practitioner will play a key role in supporting Speech and Language Therapists and Dietitians in the assessment and management of acutely unwell patients within critical care. Working under supervision, the post holder will assist with therapeutic activities related to nutrition, swallowing and communication, supporting patients with eating and drinking and contributing to the collection and review of nutritional and clinical information. The role involves close collaboration within the multidisciplinary team, helping to prioritise workload, maintain specialist resources, and contribute to service monitoring and improvement. Strong communication, organisation and a willingness to learn are essential. The post offers regular supervision, shared learning and development opportunities within a supportive critical care AHP team.
About us
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 Hospitalis 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 Hospitalis home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women's Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospitalis 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 theircareers page.
Job description Job responsibilities
The successful candidate should have a minimum of two years therapy experience in a health care setting and will be responsible for their own ward-based caseload providing direct Therapy intervention for an identified patient group under the supervision of a registered Therapy practitioner.
We would also welcome applications from candidates with relevant therapy experience who would be keen to progress into a Band 4 role via the Trust supported apprenticeship scheme.
If you do not already have the AP qualification, Foundation degree or equivalent, you will need an NVQ Level 3 in health care along with both Maths and English qualification at level 2 (GCSE equivalent grade C or above) in order to be considered for the Band 4 Apprenticeship programme.
If you do not possess the AP qualification the successful candidate will complete the apprenticeship AP training programme. The Apprenticeship will run for approximately 24 months and will involve day release 1 day per week at Hugh Baird College. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship the staff member will be uplifted permanently to Band 4.
Salary will be renumerated (Annex 21) to reflect the training element of the post and will only be transferred to a band 4 pay scale on successful completion of the AP apprenticeship.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Foundation degree in assisting professional practice/equivalent
Experience Essential
Previous acute care experience Ability to provide excellent patient care
Knowledge Essential
Ability to analyze patient progress in response to care given. Understands the role of audit in assuring standards of care and can undertake audits in practice.
Skills Essential
Excellent communication skills Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the Healthcare setting. Basic Computer Skills: I/E can use PAS systems, email and can access policies on the Trust intranet
Other Essential
A good team player supportive of colleagues and patients.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Aintree University Hospital
Lower Lane
Liverpool
L9 7AL
Employer's website https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)