Every year the RCSLT hosts the National Student Study Day for final year students which provides an opportunity to find out what speech and language therapy managers look for in job applicants and learn what it’s really like to be a newly-qualified practitioner.

This year’s event took place via Zoom and also covered how interviews and jobs have changed due to the pandemic and how to prepare for them.

Please find various resources recorded sessions from the day below:

Welcome and introduction

Dr Della Money, outgoing Chair of the RCSLT Board of Trustees; and Mary Heritage, incoming Chair of the RCSLT Board of Trustees, welcome you to the event and discuss their career journeys.

NQP panel

James Smithson, SLT, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Megan Holmes, SLT, Birmingham Community NHS Foundation Trust; Zainab Patel, Adult SLT, The Mid Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust; and Emily Byrne, Paediatric SLT, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Manager panel

Mary Heritage, Assistant Director Allied Health Professions and Patient Experience, Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust; and incoming-Chair, RCSLT Board of Trustees;  Janet Harrison, Head of Service, Families, Young People and Children’s Services, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust; Sarah Buckley, Company Director and Practice Manager, Sarah Buckley Therapies Ltd; and Shermeena Rabbi, Consultant SLT and Founder of Unlocking Language

Q&A with the day’s presenters

Professional development and research

Mark Jayes, research fellow in communication disability, Manchester Metropolitan University; Lorna Bailey, programme manager; and Katie Chadd, research officer from the RCSLT, will discuss clinical resources, EBP and research

Engagement

Learn more about how to get involved with the RCSLT through CENs, Hubs and social media and how this can help you in your career with Kaleigh Maietta, events and member engagement manager at the RCSLT; and Vikas Nautiyal, Adult SLT at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust

Policy and public affairs

Join Padraigin O’Flynn, External Affairs Assistant at the RCSLT to discover how current affairs are affecting the work of SLTs and why having this knowledge is valuable   

RCSLT website navigation 

As student membership is now free, join  Mark Singleton, Learning Officer at the RCSLT as he helps you navigate the RCSLT website 

Interview questions and workplace scenarios

Workshop activity

Learning aims

By attending the RCSLT National Student Study Day, delegates will:

  • Understand which essential skills and knowledge will be in demand in the future
  • Hear from managers recruiting newly qualified practitioners about what they are looking for in NQPs
  • Find out how to complete your RCSLT NQP framework in your first role(s)
  • Understand the vital role that you play as a student and future practitioner in building networks in your profession, and how they can support you as you move from student to NQP
  • Get practical tips on finding your first role
  • Hear about how to build your resilience and manage your health and wellbeing
  • Further your understanding of the importance of diversity in the workplace
  • Gain an insight into how roles are changing as a result of the pandemic and how this will affect you
  • Take advantage of a unique networking opportunity to help you begin your journey in the profession
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