Lots of opportunities but not many college places

THERE are lots of employment opportunities for clinical speech and language therapists in Ireland as there is a shortage of qualified therapists. The catch is that there are very few places available on third-level courses in the Republic for would-be therapists. Like most other paramedical and "caring" careers, speech therapy seems to act as a magnet for school girls with the result that most speech therapists are women.

TCD, the only college which runs a course, has 26 places each year. As might be expected, entry is very competitive with the points levels consistently in the high 400s. There are also some specific subject requirements (see fact file). Each year, 50 to 60 students are called on the basis of points levels for interview. This interview is a screening procedure to determine students' communication ability, according to Margaret Leahy, head of the clinical speech and language department in TCD. Offers are then made in round two of the CAO offers schedule.

The interview includes an assessment of areas such as non-verbal communication, ability to form relationships and specific speech problems. People with speech problems which can be easily remedied may be offered a place on the course on the understanding that they will avail of some therapy.

The main quality required of school-leavers is an interest in being with people and a caring capacity, says Leahy. "They also need to be fairly academic as the course is acknowledged as difficult." Students are advised to contact local health boards regarding career days.

There is a strong clinical component to the four-year degree with students participating in clinics in TCD's school of clinical speech and language therapy. First year is almost entirely academic apart from an introduction to clinical practice. Subjects in first year include anatomy, hearing and audiology, an introduction to language studies, linguistic, phonetics and an introduction to communication disorders. At the end of first year, students spend two weeks in clinical practice.

In second year the focus shifts to the clinical side, says Leahy, although students also continue with their academic studies. In third year and fourth year the emphasis is on the application of theory to clinical work. Third year students begin to study specialist areas in speech and language and they are introduced to acquired disorders. For instance, after brain damage speech may be impaired. Fourth year students must complete a research dissertation.

There are almost 300 qualified speech and language therapists in Ireland. There is no statutory registration, although it maybe in the offing. Job prospects for newly-qualified therapists are obviously good with the shortage of qualified people available. However many the tapists will begin work on short-term or temporary contracts. They usually find a permanent position within a relatively short period - generally one to two years.

Speech and language therapists work with people of all ages. They usually work in hospitals, schools, community clinics or in private practice. Most work in general clinics but some therapists will specialise in areas such as stuttering, voice disorders or working with the elderly or with children.

Speech and language therapy is a young profession and knowledge about communication disorders is expanding. At present TCD offers a masters programme by research but a taught masters will be introduced next year, according to Leahy.