Responsibilities outside the scope for speech-language pathology assistants. A speech-language pathology assistant may not:

1. (1) Perform any activity that violates § 20:79:06:04;
2. (2) Represent oneself as a speech-language pathologist;
3. (3) Interpret screening or test results;
4. (4) Administer feeding and swallowing screenings, checklists, or test results;
5. (5) Diagnose communication, feeding, or swallowing disorders;
6. (6) Perform procedures that require a high level of clinical acumen and technical skill;
7. (7) Participate in parent conferences, case conferences, or any interdisciplinary team without the presence or prior approval of the supervising speech-language pathologist;
8. (8) Develop, write, or modify a client's individualized care plan in any way;
9. (9) Provide client counseling;
10. (10) Provide interpretative information to the client, caregiver, or staff regarding the client's status or service;
11. (11) Sign or initial any formal document without the co-signature of the supervising speech-language pathologist;
12. (12) Assist clients without following the individualized care plan prepared by the supervising speech-language pathologist or without access to supervision by the supervising speech-language pathologist;
13. (13) Select clients for services or make determinations regarding eligibility or qualification for services;
14. (14) Discharge clients from services;
15. (15) Make referrals for additional services;
16. (16) Develop or determine the swallowing strategies or precautions for clients, caregivers, or staff;
17. (17) Treat medically fragile clients without supervision;
18. (18) Design or select augmentative and alternative communication systems or devices; or

19. (19) Disclose confidential information orally or in writing to anyone who has not been approved by the supervising speech-language pathologist to receive information, unless mandated by law.

    Examples:

20. (6) High level of clinical acumen and technical skill includes vocal tract prosthesis shaping or fitting, vocal tract imaging, and oral pharyngeal swallow therapy with bolus material.
21. (11) Formal document includes treatment plans, reports, or reimbursement plans.

Source: 39 SDR 220, effective June 27, 2013 ; 50 SDR 23, effective September 3, 2023 .

General Authority: SDCL 36-37-12 .

Law Implemented: SDCL 36-37-5 (3)(c), 36-37-12 (15) , 36-37-18 , 36-37-20 .

Prior versions effective: 2013-06-27.