Speech and language therapist — Reanne Miller

Reanne studied BSc Speech and Language Therapy and now works as a speech and language therapist (SLT) at Chesterfield Royal Hospital

What inspired you to become a speech and language therapist?

This is going to sound really random but there's an actress that I loved as a child - her name is Aleisha LaNaé Allen and she was in the film Are We There Yet? I looked into what she's doing now and it turns out she is a speech and language pathologist (American term) and I thought it was so unique. I'd never heard of this role. I was living in South Korea at the time and I met an SLT and thought it was a sign. So I researched more into the role and the more I did, the more I fell in love with what they do.  

How did you get your job?

As a newly qualified SLT I was working at a specialist college and the job didn't offer what I wanted.  

I applied for my current position at Chesterfield Royal Hospital online through a system called 'Trac', which most NHS jobs hire through. I wrote a personal statement, making sure it was tailored to the advert, updated all my previous employment and included references.  

After being invited to interview I did my research into the role, the NHS Trust and prepared answers to common interview questions (strengths and weakness and why I would be suitable for their team). After the interview I found out that I got the job. 

What kind of tasks do you complete on a typical day?

I work in a split position, meaning I work three days with the General Medicine/Neurology team. This involves carrying out dysphagia (swallow) and communication assessments, working with the medical, occupational and physiotherapist teams, and pretty much anyone who is involved in the patient's care or supporting them (family or carers).  

The other two days I work with the Stroke team and that is split between dysphagia assessments/rehabilitation and communication assessments and therapy. I love it. 

What do you enjoy about your job?

What I enjoy most about being an SLT is the impact I can have on people's lives. Helping someone regain their ability to communicate or swallow after a stroke is incredibly rewarding.  

I also love the diversity of the role, working with individuals with various medical conditions. Each day is different, and the challenges keep me engaged and motivated.  

Additionally, I find great fulfilment in the collaborative nature of the job. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team allows me to learn from other healthcare professionals and contribute to holistic patient care. Most of all, seeing the confidence and independence grow in my patients as they achieve their goals is what makes this profession so fulfilling.

What are the challenges?

One of the challenges is the fast-paced nature of inpatient settings, especially with patients with acute medical needs. This can limit the time available for comprehensive assessments and intervention.  

Another is how SLTs must work closely with other healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, physiotherapists) to coordinate care, which can sometimes lead to communication challenges or conflicting priorities.

What three qualities are most important for a speech and language therapist?

You need to have empathy and compassion, as we work with individuals facing communication or swallowing difficulties, often due to life-altering conditions. Being empathetic helps in building trust, understanding patient needs, and offering emotional support throughout the rehabilitation process.  

Secondly, strong communication skills. SLTs must clearly impart complex information to patients, families, and other healthcare professionals. Tailoring our communication to different audiences is key for effective treatment and collaboration.  

Lastly, problem-solving, as each patient presents unique challenges. This means we have to think critically and creatively to design individual treatment plans that address specific needs and goals.

Can you debunk a myth about working in the field?

A common myth about working as an SLT is that we only help children with speech difficulties, like stammering or speech sound or language disorders. But actually, we work with people of all ages and treat a range of communication and swallowing disorders. This includes helping adults regain communication skills after a stroke, treating voice disorders, managing cognitive-communication issues in neurodegenerative diseases, and addressing swallowing difficulties in medical and neurological settings.  

The role is much broader and more medically focused than many people realise. 

What are your career ambitions?

I would love to be a manager of a team. I also want to work abroad to see what it's like in a different county. However, I want to build my knowledge to be competent in the role, so others can look up to me for inspiration. My next step is to become specialised in an area. I'm not sure which, perhaps within mental health. 

Are you a member of a professional body? If so, what are the benefits of this?

I am a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and this offers several benefits.  

I get access to the SLT community, including networking opportunities with peers and experts in the field. I get access to up-to-date resources, research, and best practices to enhance my clinical skills. Also, I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is mandatory for employment in most healthcare settings. This ensures that therapists meet the required professional standards for quality and safe practice. 

Talk us through two issues currently affecting your area of work.

First, the demand for SLT services has increased significantly, especially in areas like stroke rehabilitation, dementia care, and post-COVID-19 recovery. This has resulted in larger caseloads, which means less time to dedicate to each patient, impacting the quality and depth of care I can provide. Balancing the need for thorough assessments with time constraints has become an ongoing challenge.  

Second, there's a noticeable shortage of resources in many settings, particularly in terms of specialised equipment, technology, and even personnel. For example, access to communication aids or advanced diagnostic tools can be limited, which affects treatment outcomes. Additionally, staffing shortages mean fewer SLTs are available to cover the growing number of patients. 

What advice can you give to other aspiring speech and language therapists?

You need to embrace lifelong learning because the field of speech and language therapy is constantly evolving with new research and techniques. Stay curious and committed to keeping your knowledge up to date, whether through courses, workshops, or professional networks. Also develop your communication skills, as this is not only the heart of our profession, but helps when working with patients and other healthcare professionals.  

Find out more

• Learn more about the role of a speech and language therapist. 
• Gain an insight into the healthcare sector.