The role of an NHS Speech and Language Therapist is one of the most rewarding and vital positions within the healthcare system. Working closely with patients of all ages, from young children with developmental speech delays to adults recovering from strokes or brain injuries, this career directly changes lives through communication and swallowing therapy. Within the NHS, the job description typically involves assessing, diagnosing, and treating individuals who experience speech, language, voice, and swallowing difficulties. According to the latest NHS pay bands, newly qualified therapists can expect a starting salary of around £28,000 (Band 5), with progression opportunities up to Band 7 and beyond, where salaries can exceed £50,000 for experienced senior clinicians or team leads.
Crafting an interview-winning CV is the first essential step in breaking into or progressing within this profession. With over 25 years of career coaching experience, I’ve supported hundreds of healthcare professionals to secure their ideal roles, and in this guide, I’ll walk you through how to create a compelling cv template that highlights your expertise and sets you apart.
Why your NHS Speech and Language Therapist CV matters
Competition for NHS roles can be fierce, with limited vacancies and high-quality candidates applying. A well-crafted cv example not only outlines your skills but positions you as the perfect fit for the trust or hospital department you’re targeting. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for candidates who demonstrate clinical expertise, empathy, adaptability, and commitment to patient-centred care. Your CV should communicate these attributes quickly, clearly, and confidently.
Your cv template needs to balance professionalism with personality. Unlike a generic CV, this one should be tailored specifically to the NHS framework and healthcare sector. Using NHS-friendly terminology and aligning your experiences to the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description is crucial.
How to structure your NHS Speech and Language Therapist CV
The ideal cv template for an NHS Speech and Language Therapist should follow a clear and consistent structure. Here’s the layout I recommend:
Contact Information – Full name, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile, and location (you don’t need your full address).
Professional Profile – A concise opening statement summarising your career journey, areas of expertise, and what you offer.
Key Skills – Bullet-pointed section highlighting technical and soft skills relevant to speech and language therapy.
Professional Experience – Detailed employment history, tailored to demonstrate measurable impact in previous roles.
Education and Training – University qualifications (HCPC-approved courses), professional registrations, and CPD activities.
Additional Achievements – Awards, publications, presentations, or committee involvement.
References – Typically “Available on request.”
Professional Profile Example
“Compassionate and HCPC-registered Speech and Language Therapist with over five years’ experience working across community and hospital settings. Skilled in assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults, with a proven track record of improving patient outcomes through evidence-based interventions. Adept at collaborating within multi-disciplinary teams and committed to continuous professional development.”
This short yet powerful paragraph sets the tone for your CV and immediately positions you as an outstanding candidate.
Key Skills to include in your CV
Employers will be scanning for core technical and transferable skills. Some highly effective cv example skills for this role are:
Assessment and treatment of speech, language, and swallowing disorders
Strong knowledge of evidence-based therapy techniques
Multi-disciplinary team collaboration
Patient and family-centred care
Excellent communication and empathy
Case management and care planning
Report writing and documentation within NHS frameworks
Training and supporting carers, teachers, and other healthcare staff
How to write your professional experience section
The professional experience section is the heart of your cv template. Always write in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. For each position, include job title, employer, and dates of employment, followed by bullet points that demonstrate responsibilities and achievements.
For example:
Speech and Language Therapist – NHS Trust, London (2019 – Present)
Delivered speech and language therapy to caseload of 40+ patients across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Reduced patient waiting times by 15% through efficient triage and assessment methods.
Designed and implemented group therapy programmes, leading to measurable improvements in patient communication outcomes.
Contributed to multi-disciplinary case reviews, ensuring holistic care plans aligned with NHS guidelines.
Notice how each point begins with an action verb and highlights tangible achievements.
Education and Training
For Speech and Language Therapists, your education is key. List your degree (such as BSc or MSc in Speech and Language Therapy from an HCPC-accredited university), along with any postgraduate qualifications, specialist training courses, and memberships with professional bodies like RCSLT.
Advice for graduates entering the profession
If you’re a recent graduate, your cv template should emphasise clinical placements, relevant coursework, and transferable skills from part-time work or volunteering. Don’t worry if you don’t yet have extensive professional experience. Highlight your enthusiasm, adaptability, and willingness to learn. Use your professional profile to position yourself as motivated and dedicated.
Advice for mid-level professionals
If you’ve worked as a Speech and Language Therapist for several years, your cv example should demonstrate progression and growing responsibilities. Show how you’ve developed specialist expertise in areas such as dysphagia, paediatrics, or neurological rehabilitation. Employers want to see how you’ve built on your foundation and contributed to service improvement.
Advice for senior professionals
For senior or management roles, your cv template should go beyond clinical expertise to highlight leadership, service development, and strategic contributions. Showcase achievements such as supervising junior staff, leading research projects, or introducing innovative service models. Employers at this level will be particularly impressed by your ability to manage budgets, drive quality improvement, and mentor the next generation of therapists.
The do’s and don’ts of a winning CV
Do:
Keep your CV to 2 pages maximum
Tailor your CV to each NHS role using the job description as your guide
Use clear, professional formatting with consistent font and spacing
Quantify achievements wherever possible
Include a strong LinkedIn profile to support your CV
Don’t:
Overload your CV with excessive jargon
Include unnecessary personal details such as age or marital status
Use generic phrases like “hard worker” without evidence
Submit the same CV to multiple roles without tailoring
Forget to proofread – accuracy and attention to detail are vital in healthcare
General career advice for NHS applications
Beyond the CV, remember that the NHS recruitment process often includes competency-based interviews and assessment centres. Practice articulating real examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Ensure your cv example provides a strong foundation from which to draw during interviews.
Final Thoughts
Creating an outstanding NHS Speech and Language Therapist CV is about more than listing qualifications – it’s about telling your professional story in a way that resonates with recruiters and hiring managers. Whether you’re just starting your career, moving into a specialist role, or aiming for senior leadership, your CV is the gateway to exciting opportunities.
If you want personalised, expert guidance, I invite you to work with me directly. With over 25 years of experience as a UK career coach, I’ve helped countless professionals land their dream roles. Together, we can craft a cv template and LinkedIn profile that not only showcases your expertise but wins interviews.
👉 Book an appointment here
to get started on creating your interview-winning CV today.
