Speech and language therapist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

You'll need a degree in speech and language therapy approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) .

If you've got a relevant degree, you could do a 2-year fast-track postgraduate course in speech and language therapy.

You may be able to get extra student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund .

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a Speech and Language Therapist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship will take around 4 years to complete.

If you already have a relevant degree it may be shorter and you may be able to get a master's qualification as part of the apprenticeship.

If you are working as a speech and language therapy assistant you might be able to apply to do the degree apprenticeship with your current employer. You would need to meet all their entry requirements for the apprenticeship.

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) has more information on this apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in a healthcare setting before you apply for a course.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of English language
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of psychology
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• customer service skills
• the ability to read English
• active listening skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Speech and language therapists help people with speaking and communication problems and those with eating and swallowing difficulties.

As a speech and language therapist, you could:

• observe and test patients to assess specific difficulties
• plan and develop therapy programmes
• help patients regain communication after brain injuries or a stroke
• support children and adults with eating or swallowing problems
• work with children with language delays or disorders

Location : You could work at a school, in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre, in a nursery or at a client's home.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £28,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

With experience, you could specialise in working with:

• children with special educational needs
• people who have eating, drinking and swallowing disorders (dysphagia)

After further training, you could move into teaching and research. You could also become self-employed and run your own business.