Wyo. Code R. 058-0001-11
Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Chapter 11: Practice of Speech Pathology and Audiology
Effective Date: 04/01/2016 to 11/22/2017
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 058.0001.11.04012016
Section 1. Statement of Purpose. These Board Rules are adopted to implement the Board's authority to regulate the practice of speech pathology and audiology in Wyoming.
(a) To practice in both areas of licensure, speech pathology and audiology, a licensee shall obtain licensure as a speech pathologist and audiologist.
(b) A speech pathologist may perform nondiagnostic audiometric screening either for the purposes of performing a speech and language evaluation or for initial identification of individuals with other communicative disorders.
(c) An audiologist may perform nondiagnostic speech and language screening either for purposes of performing an audiologic evaluation or for initial identification of individuals with other communicative disorders.
(d) Any licensee may provide aural habilitation, aural rehabilitation services, and auditory processing services, for which they have been properly trained.
(a) Each licensee shall comply with the provisions of AAA, ABA, and ASHA's Codes of Ethics as referenced in Chapter 1.
(b) For a speech pathologist, the development and disorders of speech, voice, language or swallowing includes, but is not limited to, screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing, habilitating, rehabilitating, and preventing disorders of speech such as articulation, pragmatics, literacy, phonology, fluency, voice, resonance and nasal airflow, oral motor speech and orofacial myofunctional function, oral-pharyngeal function, such as swallowing/dysphagia and related disorders, language to include verbal and written and related non-oral/nonverbal forms, cognitive/communication disorders, memory and comprehension, auditory processing; assessing, selecting and developing augmentative and alternative communication systems and providing training in their use; providing aural habilitation or rehabilitation and related training and instructional services; enhancing Speech-Language proficiency and communication effectiveness, such as accent reduction; and screening of hearing and other factors for the purpose of Speech-Language evaluation or the initial identification of individuals with other communication disorders.
(c) For an audiologist, practice includes, but is not limited to, facilitating where applicable the conservation of auditory system function; developing and implementing environmental and occupational hearing conservation programs; cerumen management; screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing, preventing, and rehabilitating peripheral and central auditory system dysfunction; providing and interpreting behavioral and electro-physiological measurements of auditory and vestibular functions, such as auditory evoked potential assessment, neurophysiologic intraoperative monitoring or balance system assessment; providing aural habilitation or rehabilitation and related training and instructional services to individuals with hearing loss and their families; and screening of speech-language and other factors affecting communication function for the purposes of an audiologic evaluation and/or the identification of individuals with other communication disorders.
(d) The practice of speech pathology and audiology occurs where the patient is located or receives services.
(e) All licensees shall report to the Board known or suspected violations of the laws and regulations governing the practice of speech pathology and audiology.
(a) Eligibility for Supervision. A licensee that has practiced for three (3) years may supervise provisional license holders or aides within the same professional setting.
(b) Accountability. The licensee shall be responsible for the activities of the provisional license holder and/or aides. Licensee may be subject to disciplinary action for failure to adequately supervise provisional license holder and/or aides.
(a) Limitation on Number of Aides. A licensee shall not supervise more than three (3) aides. The licensee may apply for an exception to this requirement by submitting a written request to the Board demonstrating just cause for the exception.
(b) Renewal of Aides. In order to renew the aide's registration, the supervisor shall submit an annual competency evaluation for any aides practicing under licensee's supervision.
(c) Delegable Duties. An aide may assume the following duties under direct supervision of the licensee:
(i) Carry out prescriptive programming for individuals and groups;
(ii) Provide direct treatment assistance to a caseload of identified clients as prescribed by the licensee;
(iii) Assist with informal documentation such as tallying notes, prepare materials, and assist with other clerical duties;
(iv) Chart and graph client's progress, record progress, and sign documents only that have been reviewed and co-signed by the licensee;
(v) Keep daily log of specific problems;
(vi) Perform simple checks and maintenance of equipment;
(vii) Participate with the licensee in research projects, in-service training and public relations programs.
(viii) Speech aides may conduct speech-language screenings (without interpretation) following specified screening protocols developed by the licensee.
(ix) Audiology aides may:
(A) Conduct fixed intensity air conduction hearing screening, without interpretation following specified screening protocols developed by the licensee;
(B) Perform automatic type tympanometry screening procedures following the specified screening protocols developed by the licensee. The aide may not interpret tympanometry results;
(C) Carry out prescriptive aural habilitation and rehabilitation programming;
(D) Perform checks on hearing aids and other assistive listening devices. Conduct routine trouble-shooting activities designed to assist the licensee in the determination and resolution of malfunctions with hearing aids and assistive listening devices;
(E) Clean hearing aids;
(F) Instruct clients in the use of assistive listening devices; and
(G) Assist the licensee in taking earmold impressions.
(d) Non-delegable Duties. The aide shall not perform any of the following actions:
(i) Any activity which violates AAA, ABA, or ASHA's Codes of Ethics as referenced in Chapter 1;
(ii) Participate in parent conferences, case conferences, or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of the licensee;