Authority: IC 25-35.6-1-8; IC 25-35.6-2-2

Affected: IC 25-35.6-1-2

Sec. 9. (a) Before utilizing SLP support personnel, the supervisor shall carefully delineate the role and tasks of the SLP support personnel, including the following:

1. (1) Specific lines of responsibility and authority.
2. (2) Assurance that the SLP support personnel are responsible only to the supervisor in all patient/client activities. The supervisor must assess individual patient/client needs when deciding the appropriateness of a support personnel service delivery model.

(b) When SLP support personnel assist in providing treatment, the supervisor of the SLP support personnel shall do the following:

1. (1) The supervisor of the SLP aide shall provide direct supervision a minimum of twenty percent (20%) weekly for the first ninety (90) days of work and ten percent (10%) weekly thereafter. The supervisor must:

   1. (A) be physically present within the same building as the SLP aide whenever direct client care is provided; and
   2. (B) directly provide a minimum of thirty-three percent (33%) of the patient's or client's treatment weekly.

2. (2) The supervisor of the SLP associate shall provide direct supervision a minimum of twenty percent (20%) weekly for the first ninety (90) days of work and ten percent (10%) weekly thereafter. Supervision days and times should be alternated to ensure that all patients/clients receive direct treatment from the supervisor at least once every two (2) weeks. At no time should an SLP associate perform tasks when a supervisor cannot be reached by:

   1. (A) personal contact;
   2. (B) telephone;
   3. (C) pager; or
   4. (D) other immediate means.

3. (3) The supervisor for the SLP assistant shall provide direct supervision a minimum of twenty percent (20%) weekly for the first ninety (90) days of work and ten percent (10%) weekly thereafter. Supervision days and times should be alternated to ensure that all patients/clients receive direct treatment from the supervisor at least once every two (2) weeks. At no time should an SLP assistant perform tasks when a supervisor cannot be reached by:

   1. (A) personal contact;
   2. (B) telephone;
   3. (C) pager; or
   4. (D) other immediate means.

4. (4) The supervisor must determine supervision needs. The amount of supervision may be increased depending on the:

   1. (A) competency of the SLP support personnel;
   2. (B) needs of the patients or clients served; and
   3. (C) nature of the assigned tasks.
5. However, the minimum standard must be maintained. Indirect supervision activities may include, but are not limited to, record review, phone conferences, or audio/video tape review.

6. (5) Determine the responsibilities assigned to the SLP support personnel based upon the:

   1. (A) educational level;
   2. (B) training; and
   3. (C) experience;
7. of the support personnel.
8. (6) Evaluate each patient or client before treatment.
9. (7) Outline and direct the specific program for the clinical management of each client serviced by the SLP support personnel.
10. (8) Every five (5) working days, review all data and documentation on clients seen for treatment by the SLP support personnel.
11. (9) Ensure that, at the termination of services, the case is reviewed by the speech-language pathologist responsible for the client.

(c) The supervisor shall not permit SLP support personnel to make decisions regarding the:

1. (1) diagnosis;
2. (2) management; or
3. (3) future disposition;

of clients.

(d) The supervisor must officially designate SLP support personnel as such on all clinical records.

(e) The supervisor must be present when the SLP support personnel provide direct client treatment outside the designated practice setting.

(f) The supervisor may designate a licensed speech-language pathologist to supervise SLP support personnel under his or her supervision during vacation periods or illness, but for not longer than a thirty (30) day period.

(g) Within ten (10) days after the termination of the supervision of SLP support personnel, the supervisor:

1. (1) shall notify the board, in writing, of the:

   1. (A) termination; and
   2. (B) date of the termination; and
2. (2) may designate a licensee to serve as an interim supervisor for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days upon approval of the board.

An interim supervisor is not required to pay a fee for the thirty (30) day period.

(h) A supervisor may not supervise more than two (2) SLP support personnel at one (1) time.

(i) [Voided by P.L.226-2011, SECTION 26, effective July 1, 2010 (retroactive).]

(j) A supervisor assumes professional responsibility for services provided under their supervision.

(Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board; 880 IAC 1-2.1-9; filed Oct 6, 2003, 5:15 p.m.: 27 IR 536; filed Aug 25, 2008, 3:07 p.m.: 20080924-IR-880070671FRA; readopted filed Dec 1, 2014, 8:41 a.m.: 20141231-IR-880140397RFA; readopted filed Oct 28, 2020, 1:59 p.m.: 20201125-IR-880200444RFA)