Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

[Sarahmay420]

Hi All,

I have an interview for a speech and language therapy assistant position and am just looking for some interview advice from anyone who has worked in a similar position or is a speech and language therapist

Anyone? :)

Sorry OP I don't, but I wanted to wish you good luck. It's absolutely the type of role I'd love to get into when I'm finished studying.

I'm not but I have worked very closely in the past with many SLTs! The assistant positions are excellent, I'd read up on the Trust and their values, look into the role in depth on the health careers website and the job advert itself and think about how your previous experience relates to this. If this isn't healthcare related I wouldn't worry but be prepared with some examples (in STAR format) that do correspond to them. Also make sure you put across at interview that you are happy to do training as the roles invariably involve this etc.

Essentially as you don't need direct experience they're keen to know you understand the role and what it entails, and how what you've done previously is going to stand you in good stead.

Thank you so much! This is great advice

Is it all admin, or there might be a clinical element to the role?

I'm a speech therapist. @AnnieKayTee has given great advice - I'd say what makes a great SLT assistant is empathy and organisation. Someone who can demonstrate they care about the people we are working with and understand what they are going through (this varies depending on the client group), and someone who is efficient, good with technology, happy/confident enough to ask questions, etc, keen to learn new things, genuine interest in communication/supporting people.

Good luck OP, it's a great job!

There's free training you can do called better conversations with aphasia. If it's an adult role that would be a helpful thing to talk about.

Many people who want to be SLTs apply for those roles for experience, might be in your favour if you look like you want to stay in the role.

As others have said, show willing to train and learn new skills. Try to reflect on any experience where you have had to adapt your own communication style to support others. Think about societal barriers for people with communication impairment - there are many as with physical disability.

Look up the nhs values.

Good luck! Fantastic job, wish there were more of them!

Great advice so far!

Therell be a safeguarding question- look out for it. The key is to say that you'd talk to your manager.

Talk a lot - keep coming up with more examples of your flexibility, team working and ways of communicating across barriers. The latter depends on your experience - maybe other languages, maybe communication disability, maybe dementia?

Hi,
The JD says there are both clinical and administrative elements to the role. Thanks for your input! Have you got any advice for any general topic areas I should be prepared to answer questions on (outside of the job description)?

Is the post for children or adults?

Ooh yes, @blessedarethequichemakers . I think it would be good to highlight if you are looking to stay in the role.

Depends on how the Trust to interviews as to how they score it - do they do a values-based interview (e.g. questions based on the Trusts values, like "people first" or "safety")?

Just remembered this...

communication-access.co.uk/

Doesn't take long to do the free training, would be really helpful. Everyone should do it!