Speech and language therapist
Speech and language therapists work closely with infants, children and adults who have various levels of speech, language and communication problems. They also work with people who have swallowing difficulties. Therapists assess the clients' needs before developing individual treatment programmes to enable each client to improve as much as possible. Treatment plans often involve those with whom the client has a close relationship, for example family, carers or teachers.
Speech and language therapists usually work as part of a multidisciplinary team, alongside other health professionals such as doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. They may also liaise with professionals in education and the social services.
Tasks typically involve:
Therapists operating at more senior levels may be involved in the following:
To practise as a speech and language therapist you must have a degree accredited by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and be a registered member of the Health Professions Council (HPC) .
Undergraduate degree courses last three or four years and typically cover both theoretical and clinical studies. Theoretical subjects include anatomy, physiology, neurology, psychology, phonetics, linguistics, child development, speech pathology and therapeutic methods. Clinical practice takes place in hospitals, schools, clinics and day-centres, under the supervision of qualified therapists.
Most universities accept access courses from mature students with relevant work experience, though they may request additional qualifications in science. Contact individual institutions for details of entry requirements. All applications for undergraduate degrees should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) .
If your degree is in a subject other then speech and language therapy, you must undertake an accredited two-year postgraduate course in order to qualify. A degree in the following subjects will increase your chances of being considered for entry on to a postgraduate course:
Postgraduate courses require relevant work experience. Applications should be made directly to the relevant institution. Closing dates vary between institutions but generally fall between September and December.
Visit the RCSLT and HPC websites for a list of universities offering accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Empathy, assertiveness, tact, a sense of humour and physical and mental stamina are also important qualities. A driving licence is essential for community speech and language therapists, particularly in rural areas, as there is frequent travel between different settings. Knowledge of Welsh, Gaelic or community languages may be a requirement or an advantage in some parts of the UK.
Competition for places on courses is strong and pre-entry experience and knowledge of the profession is essential. Experience can include work as a speech therapy assistant or work with children, elderly or disabled people. Before applying, visit child and adult clinics to observe and talk to practitioners. The RCSLT website contains further information on obtaining work experience.
Means-tested student bursaries (including payment of tuition fees) are available for undergraduate courses from the National Health Service (see NHS Careers ). The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) administers bursaries for healthcare and social work students on behalf of the Department of Health (see NHS Student Bursaries ). In Scotland, funding is usually available through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) . For postgraduate courses, applicants are often eligible for a bursary, but should check with individual institutions before making an application.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
On qualifying with an accredited undergraduate or postgraduate (if your first degree is not in speech and language therapy) degree, you are eligible to register with the Health Professions Council (HPC) . Registration with the HPC is essential in order to be able to practise as a speech and language therapist. The first year of work is spent under supervision as a newly qualified practitioner (NQP) in order to become a full member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) .
Speech and language therapists are responsible for their own personal development. In order to retain HPC registration, they must be able to show that they are maintaining and developing professional standards and, where appropriate, are up to date with the clinical procedures of the National Health Service (see NHS Careers ).
Continuing professional development (CPD) is encouraged through internal NHS courses and also through training run by regional and specific interest groups. Specific interest groups and the RCSLT advertise their courses and seminars in the RCSLT Bulletin. Typical training topics include:
Other CPD activities include observation of other therapists' practice, peer review of performance, case discussion and video analysis. Full details of the range of activities and resources available are on the RCSLT website. There are also opportunities to undertake a higher degree, such as a postgraduate certificate, diploma or Masters, or a PhD by research.
Competition for entry-level speech and language therapist posts is fierce. The growth of undergraduate courses has increased the number of jobseekers, but posts are not necessarily located where newly qualified applicants are based.
On qualification, and having registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) , the first year of work is spent under supervision in order to become a full member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) . This is usually in a post within the National Health Service (see NHS Careers ), which frequently involves working from one of several locations, such as health centres, hospital clinics and special schools.
Many qualified speech and language therapists choose to specialise in a particular client group or disorder, although others move between client groups. Senior therapist positions exist in clinical specialisms, management and research and teaching. A typical career path for speech and language therapists will often involve increased management responsibilities.
Self-employment is a growing career development option and the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) provides support to speech and language therapists in this area of work.
The majority of speech and language therapists are employed by trusts of the National Health Service (see NHS Careers ) and work in schools, hospitals, clinics, health centres and day-care centres. There is often a choice of departments and a wide range of areas in which to work. Some mainstream work may be managed by local education authorities.
Some therapists may also be employed directly by:
There are opportunities to look for permanent and temporary posts abroad and for European and overseas practitioners to take jobs in the UK, provided they have a high level of spoken or written English. With experience, many speech and language therapists choose to move into self-employment.
The local press often handle vacancies for speech and language therapy assistants, which is a useful way of gaining work experience before applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate course.
Make speculative approaches for work experience using directories to find details of key contacts working in the NHS and private healthcare.
Specialist recruitment agencies, such as Labmed Recruitment , also handle vacancies. Agencies are most useful for short-term and local posts. Search the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) consultancy finder for a list of relevant member agencies.
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