Working as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) in Ireland
Speech and Language Therapy has been identified as one of the key professions in need of expansion. More educational pathways to the career have been developed, and there is great demand for good Speech and Language Therapists (SLT) in Ireland. So, what does the work involve and how can you qualify to work in this important healthcare sector?
What is an Speech and Language Therapist?
Speech-Language Therapists (SLTs), also known as Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), provide essential treatment and support for individuals with speech, language, and communication difficulties, as well as swallowing disorders. They work with a diverse range of people, from children with stammering issues to adults recovering from strokes or brain injuries.
What Does an SLT Do?
SLTs assess, diagnose, and treat various conditions. They support children with speech and language development and those with neurodevelopmental differences like Dyslexia, Autism, or Verbal Dyspraxia. They assist premature infants in neonatal care units with feeding patterns.
SLTs offer therapy for cleft lip and palate, cerebral palsy, dementia, mental health issues, and swallowing disorders. They help individuals with language impairments from strokes, degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s and Dementia, learning difficulties, cognitive-linguistic deficits from head injuries, and voice problems. They also provide rehabilitation for profound hearing loss and habilitation for congenitally deaf children.
SLTs collaborate with patients and their families to develop treatment programs, working closely with healthcare professionals such as Carers, Teachers, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and Doctors. They also support alternative communication methods and conduct research on speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders.
SLTs advocate for and develop services for those with communication and swallowing needs, contributing through clinical practice, academic roles, or special interest groups.
In What Settings Do SLTs Work?
There are many avenues open to SLTs and they can work across diverse healthcare settings – including hospitals, clinics, day centres, private practices, community services and special education settings. They can also work in rehabilitation centres, disability services, voluntary organisations, courtrooms and prisons.
How Do I Qualify as an SLT?
To work as an SLT in Ireland you need to hold an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Speech and Language Therapy which must be accredited by The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) or meets the criteria laid down by the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA).
Courses available are:
BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Therapy – University College Cork.
BSc in Speech and Language Therapy – University of Galway.
BSc Clinical Linguistics – Trinity College Dublin.
Other relevant degree subjects can include Linguistics, Medicine, Nursing and Psychology.
All courses include important practical components which take place in schools, hospitals and community health clinics. Through these experiences you develop the skills you need to assess and treat people with communication disorders.
How Do I Register as an SLT?
Once you have completed your studies you must register with CORU which is the regulating body for Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs) in Ireland.
What Skills and Qualities do I Need?
As an SLT you’ll need to enjoy working with, and able to relate to a wide range of people. As with all healthcare roles, you’ll need to have empathy, compassion and patience to respond to your patients in a kind and thoughtful way. Active and careful listening and excellent verbal and written skills will help you share your knowledge and experience with your patients, and you’ll be understanding of each person’s needs and sensitivities.
Your work will involve developing innovative tools, activities and exercises to treat the needs of each person you treat, so you’ll need to think creatively. To accommodate their full range of duties and tasks in a day, SLTs need to manage their time effectively, with the ability to organise, plan and prepare. Good teamwork is essential, while you’ll also have the confidence to make your own decisions. To achieve the best results with your patients, you must be dependable and consistent with your actions and attitude. You’ll have a responsible, professional approach and will always respect the confidentiality of those you treat.
What Work Will I Do In a Day?
Providing a broad range of interventions to different people with diverse requirements, the work of an SLT takes many forms. Key to the role is conducting assessments and treatment at clinics or in a patient’s home. Therapists use technical equipment to analyse voice patterns and understand the factors involved in a patient’s speech. They provide teaching exercises designed to eliminate any speech difficulties and give training to parents and teachers so they can support a patient’s recovery and prevent future language problems.
SLTs must keep detailed clinical notes and reports on every patient’s condition, treatments given, and progress made. They consult with other healthcare professionals, such as Doctors and ENT Specialists, while they also attend clinics and participate in case conferences when required.
What is the Scope for Career Growth?
At the beginning of their careers, most SLTs focus on general cases for about a year, working with adults and children. Over time, they may choose to specialise in a particular field – such as treatment of people with Parkinson’s disease or children with delayed speech. They may move into more senior posts while some choose research or a teaching role.
Partner with TTM
TTM recruits SLTs keen to explore their potential in Temporary and Permanent jobs. We have roles available in every kind of healthcare setting across Ireland. It’s good to know we have been awarded Tier One status by the HSE for recruiting SLTs, so our healthcare workers enjoy first choice on all Agency HSE shifts.
