What does SLT stand for?
The SLT meaning is simple: SLT stands for Speech and Language Therapist.
What does a speech and language therapist do?
SLTs work with people who have physical or mental barriers to speaking and understanding language.
As a speech and language therapist, you'll work with people of all ages to improve their ability to communicate. You'll provide treatment and care for a variety of speech and language disorders.
You could work at a school, in an NHS or private hospital, or in a clinical setting such as a health centre, in a nursery or at a client's home.
You will also be working with a wide range of people – from babies, through to adults and the elderly.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Speaking to patients, observing and testing patients to assess specific difficulties.
- Planning and developing a suitable treatment programme for each of your patients.
- Monitoring and reporting on your patients' progress.
- Supporting and liaising with family, carers and teachers to assist in treatment and communicate with loved ones who have had a brain injury.
- Helping patients with impaired communication due to brain injuries or a stroke.
- Supporting children and adults with eating, drinking or swallowing problems.
- Working with children with language delays or children with disorders.
- Working closely with a wider team of other professionals such as doctors, nurses, psychologists and teachers to support treatment.
Your standard working week in the NHS will be around 37.5 hrs a week. Depending on where else you work, you may work evenings and weekends for private clients.
What skills do I need to become a speech and language therapist?
Working as a Speech and Language Therapist could be the role for you if:
What is the salary for a speech and language therapist?
- Starting salaries will typically range between £29,970 and £36,483 (band 5).
- Specialist SLTs can earn between £37,338 and £44, 962.
- Advanced or highly senior roles can attract between £46,148 to £52,809 (Band 7).
Career progression
Speech and language therapists in the UK have diverse career progression opportunities. They are available across clinical, educational and managerial pathways.
Early career prospects will involve work in the NHS. You will be managing general caseloads that include both adults and children.
As you gain experience, you can specialise in areas such as neurological disorders, voice therapy, or paediatrics. You may also assume senior roles involving supervision, training, and service development.
Further, advancement can also lead to positions in management. In such roles, you would oversee teams and budgets or offer your services in private practice.
