Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Board of

Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Chapter 12: Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

Effective Date: 11/22/2017 to 07/26/2018

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 058.0001.12.11222017

Chapter 12

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Section 1. Requirements for Certification

(a) Education. The applicant must:

(i) Have an Associate's Degree as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant or a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology or equivalent, including a minimum of 15 credit hours in clinical related coursework from an accredited college or university; and

(ii) Successfully complete a minimum of one hundred (100) hours of supervised field work or its equivalent clinical practicum.

(b) Application. An applicant must submit the following:

(i) Completed application packet payment of appropriate fees;

(ii) Official Transcripts;

(iii) Documentation of completion of supervised field experience; and

(iv) Signed Supervision agreement.

(c) Upon Board approval of the application for certification, the applicant may identify themselves as a 'SLPA' within the same professional setting as the supervising licensee.

Section 2. SLPA Responsibilities.

(a) Service Delivery. A SLPA may perform the following tasks based upon his or her training and competency:

(i) Assist the SLP with speech, language, and hearing screenings without clinical interpretation;

(ii) Assist the SLP with other tasks as directed;

(iii) Assist the SLP with the bilingual translation or interpretation during screening and assessment activities exclusive of data interpretation;

(iv) Follow documented treatment plans or protocols developed by the supervising SLP;

(v) Document student, patient and client performance and report this information to the supervising SLP; and

(vi) Program and provide instruction in the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices developed and directed by the SLP.

(b) Administrative Support. A SLPA may perform the following tasks based upon his or her training and competency:

(i) Assist with clerical duties and departmental operations such as preparing materials and scheduling activities, as directed by the SLP; and

(ii) Perform checks and maintenance of equipment.

(c) Prevention and Advocacy. A SLPA may perform the following tasks based upon his or her training and competency:

(i) Provide information to emergency response agencies for individuals who have communication or swallowing disorders; and

(ii) Support the supervising SLP in research projects, in-service trainings, public relation programs, and marketing programs.

Section 3. SLPA Limitations. SLPAs shall not engage in any of the following:

(a) Represent himself or herself as an SLP (nor allow others to presume his or her standing as an SLP);

(b) Perform standardized or non-standardized diagnostic tests, formal or informal evaluations, or swallowing screenings/checklists;

(c) Perform procedures that require a high level of clinical acumen and technical skill (e.g., vocal tract prosthesis shaping or fitting, vocal tract imaging and oral pharyngeal swallow therapy with bolus material);

1. (d) Tabulate or interpret results and observations of feeding and swallowing evaluations performed by SLPs;
2. (e) Participate in formal parent conferences, case conferences, or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of the supervising SLP or other designated SLP;
3. (f) Provide interpretative information to the student/patient/client, family, or others regarding the patient/client status or service;
4. (g) Write, develop, or modify a student's, patient's, or client's treatment plan in any way;
5. (h) Assist with students, patients, or clients without following the individualized treatment plan prepared by the certified SLP and/or without access to supervision;
6. (i) Sign any formal documents (e.g., treatment plans, reimbursement forms, or reports; the SLPA should sign or initial informal treatment notes for review and co-sign with the supervising SLP as requested);
7. (j) Select students, patients, or clients for service;
8. (k) Discharge a student, patient, or client from services;
9. (l) Make referrals for additional service;
10. (m) Disclose clinical or confidential information either orally or in writing to anyone other than the supervising SLP (the SLPA must comply with current HIPPA and FERPA guidelines) unless mandated by law;
11. (n) Develop or determine the swallowing strategies or precautions for patients, family, or staff;
12. (o) Treat medically fragile students/patients/clients independently; or
13. (p) Design or select augmentative and alternative communication systems or device.

Section 4. Annual Certification Renewal

(a) Certification Expiration. Initial certifications shall expire December 31st of the year following the year of issue. After the initial certification, certificates shall expire December 31st of each year. Certificate holders shall renew their certificate on or before December 31st.

Certificate holders that fail to timely renew shall forfeit the right to practice.

(b) Renewal Procedure. A certificate holder seeking renewal shall: (i) Submit a completed renewal application and payment of fee; (ii) Submit documentation of hourly supervision by the supervising SLP; and (iii) Submit evidence of completion of twelve (12) CEU that complies with subsection Chapter 2 Section 8(c). (iv) Acceptable CEU documentation shall include, but is not limited to, transcripts and certificates of completion. (v) Waiver. The Board may grant a waiver for CEU requirements for certificate holders who have petitioned and demonstrated just cause based on extenuating circumstances.

Section 5. Supervision

(a) Each SLPA must be supervised by an SLP licensed in Wyoming. A written Supervision Agreement approved by the Board must be in place to include a record of all supervision, both direct and indirect. The agreement must be signed by both parties with agreement as to responsibility for this documentation. Information to be included using the following supervision schedule:

(i) First ninety (90) days – minimum of thirty (30) percent weekly supervision shall be provided with at least twenty (20) percent being direct contact supervision of client, student, or individual and ten (10) percent of indirect contact. Weekly supervision should be arranged so that every client, student, or individual is observed at least once every two weeks. Direct contact means face to face, either through tele practice or onsite supervision.

(ii) After successful completion of first ninety (90) days, minimum of one hour of direct supervision each week shall be provided. In addition, direct supervision shall include direct contact supervision of every client, student, or individual every sixty (60) days with as much indirect supervision as needed.

(iii) Indirect supervision may include review of data, lesson plans, schedules, and any other issues related to the individual clients, students, and individuals.

(iv) Supervising SLP – Requirements for supervising SLP.

(A) Must have been licensed SLP practicing for a minimum of three (3) years;

(B) Hold an Speech-Language Pathology license in good standing from the Board;

(C) Must have completed at least a minimum of two (2) hours of continuing education hours in supervision prior to beginning supervision. These will count towards CEUs for licensure renewal; and

(D) Cannot supervise more than three (3) SLPAs.

(b) Each supervising SLP shall uphold the ethics and professionalism of ASHA

Section 6. Failure to Timely Renew. A certificate holder who fails to timely renew may apply for renewal during the administrative grace period detailed in Chapter 2 Section 9.

Section 7. Certificate Re-issuance

(a) Eligibility. An applicant may seek re-issuance if his or her certificate has lapsed.

(b) Lapsed Certificate Re-issuance Requirements. An applicant shall:

(i) Submit a completed re-issuance application and pay the required fee; and

(ii) Submit evidence of clinical competency by submitting proof of completion of twelve (12) CEUs for each year or portion thereof that the certificate was lapsed up to a maximum of one hundred and twenty (120) CEUs.