Speech and Language Therapist Resume Keywords for ATS

ATS systems for Speech and Language Therapist roles prioritise HCPC registration status, specific clinical competencies (dysphagia, AAC, paediatric/adult caseloads), and evidence of outcome measurement. Employers filter for NHS frameworks (Agenda for Change banding), specialist assessment tools, and terminology aligned with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) standards.

ATS keywords for a Speech and Language Therapist Resume

Use these as a checklist — include the ones that genuinely apply to you, matched to the wording of the job you are targeting.

Core skills

Dysphagia assessment and managementAugmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)Paediatric speech and language therapyAdult speech and language therapyAphasia rehabilitationVoice therapyFluency disordersPhonological therapyClinical assessment and diagnosisOutcome measurementMultidisciplinary team workingCare planningVideofluoroscopy interpretationFEES (Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)

Tools & software

Therapy Outcome Measures (TOMs)RCSLT Outcome MeasuresSystmOneSALT softwareBoardmakerGrid softwareProloquo2GoMakatonPECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)Videofluoroscopy equipmentIDDSI framework

Soft skills

Excellent communication skillsEmpathy and compassionProblem-solvingTime managementReport writingPatient-centred careAdaptabilityCollaborative working

Certifications & qualifications

HCPC registrationRCSLT membershipDysphagia training certificationMakaton qualificationClinical supervision trainingSafeguarding training

How to get a Speech and Language Therapist Resume past the ATS

Include your HCPC registration number prominently in your personal details section, as many NHS ATS filters search for this identifier specifically
Use exact terminology from the job description for clinical areas (e.g. 'dysphagia management' not just 'swallowing therapy') to match keyword algorithms
Specify your Agenda for Change band experience (e.g. 'Band 6 SLT') as NHS Trusts often filter by banding level in their ATS
List assessment tools by their full names and common abbreviations (e.g. 'Therapy Outcome Measures (TOMs)') as ATS may search for either version
Quantify caseload experience with specific populations (e.g. 'paediatric caseload 0-5 years' or 'adult neurology') as these are common search filters
Include both 'Speech and Language Therapist' and 'SLT' in your CV, as recruiters search using both the full title and abbreviation

Before & after: Speech and Language Therapist Resume bullets

Before: Worked with children with communication difficulties

After: Delivered paediatric speech and language therapy to caseload of 45 children aged 2-7 years with phonological disorders, achieving 78% discharge rate using Therapy Outcome Measures (TOMs)

Before: Assessed patients with swallowing problems

After: Conducted dysphagia assessments for 120+ acute stroke patients annually using FEES and videofluoroscopy, implementing IDDSI-compliant care plans and reducing aspiration pneumonia risk by 35%

Before: Helped adults with communication needs after brain injury

After: Provided aphasia rehabilitation and AAC implementation for 30 adults post-CVA within MDT, using Grid software and outcome measurement tools to demonstrate 65% functional communication improvement

Speech and Language Therapist Resume keywords — FAQ

What keywords should a Speech and Language Therapist put on their Resume?

A Speech and Language Therapist Resume should include core skills such as Dysphagia assessment and management, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Paediatric speech and language therapy, Adult speech and language therapy, Aphasia rehabilitation, Voice therapy, and name specific tools like Therapy Outcome Measures (TOMs), RCSLT Outcome Measures, SystmOne, SALT software, Boardmaker. Always match the exact terms used in the job description you are applying to.

How do I make my Speech and Language Therapist Resume ATS-friendly?

Use a plain-text skills section, mirror the keywords from the job posting word-for-word, spell out acronyms once alongside their short form, and quantify your achievements. Include your HCPC registration number prominently in your personal details section, as many NHS ATS filters search for this identifier specifically

What skills do employers look for in a Speech and Language Therapist?

Beyond technical skills, employers screen for Excellent communication skills, Empathy and compassion, Problem-solving, Time management. Relevant qualifications include HCPC registration, RCSLT membership, Dysphagia training certification.