10105.1 No person may practice as an audiology assistant unless he or she is duly registered pursuant to this chapter and performs the duties of the profession under the supervision of a licensed audiologist meeting the requirements of § 10105.2.

10105.2 An audiologist licensed under this title may qualify to supervise an audiology assistant only if he or she meets the following requirements:

1. (a) Possessing current and valid license to practice audiology in the District of Columbia;
2. (b) Having practiced audiology in the District or any other jurisdiction of the United States for at least two (2) years; and
3. (c) Not having been subject of a formal or public disciplinary action by the Board or any other jurisdiction within the United States within the previous two (2) years.

10105.3 An audiology assistant may assist an audiologist with audiological evaluation and in treatment programs.

10105.4 An audiology assistant may not perform any of the following actions or functions:

1. (a) Independently performing or administering hearing diagnostic tests;
2. (b) Determining case selection or evaluation protocols;
3. (c) Interpreting observations or data into diagnostic statements of clinical management strategies or procedures;
4. (d) Participating in team or case conferences or on any interdisciplinary team, without the presence of the supervising audiologist or an audiologist designated by the supervising audiologist;
5. (e) Writing, developing, or modifying a patient's individualized treatment plan;
6. (f) Assisting with patients without following the treatment plan prepared by the audiologist or without proper supervision;
7. (g) Composing or signing any formal documents (e.g., treatment plans, reimbursement forms, or reports);
8. (h) Transmitting or disclosing clinical information, either orally or in writing,

to anyone, including the patient, without the approval of the supervising audiologist;

(i) Selecting patients for treatment services or discharging patients from treatment services;

(j) Counseling or consulting with the patient, family, or others regarding the patient status or service or making referrals for additional services; or

(k) Referring to him/ or herself either orally or in writing with a title other than one determined by the supervising audiologist.

10105.5 An audiology assistant may not practice when a supervisor cannot be reached by personal contact, phone, pager, or other immediate means.

10105.6 An audiology assistant shall cease practice immediately if there is no audiologist providing supervision.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 64 DCR 8271 (August 18, 2017).