Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Board of

Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Chapter 5: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and Audiology Technician

Effective Date: 06/01/2009 to 04/01/2016

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 058.0001.5.06012009

CHAPTER V

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT AND AUDIOLOGY TECHNICIAN

Section 1. Qualifications. In order to work under the supervision of a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist, the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant or Audiometric Technician shall possess the following qualifications:

1. (a) Be at least 18 years old;
2. (b) Have a high school education or G.E.D. equivalent;
3. (c) Good moral character;
4. (d) Communication skills adequate for the tasks assigned;
5. (e) Ability to relate to the clinical population being served; and
6. (f) Additional qualifications may be established according to the needs of the program and the population being served.

Section 2. Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Training

(a) A Speech-Language Pathology training course taught by a Wyoming licensed Speech-Language Pathologist shall be completed. The training course consists of minimum initial requirements.

(i) The instructional program is required and shall consist of the following minimal requirements:

AREA	HOURS OF INSTRUCTION
Overview of normal speech development	1
Overview of normal language development	1
Articulation disorders and treatment	1.5
Phonology disorders and treatment	1.5
Voice and resonance disorders and treatment	2
Oral motor speech and orofacial myofunctional disorders and treatment -- including the areas of:	1.5
Dysarthria and treatment	2
Apraxia and treatment	2
Oral-pharyngeal disorders and treatment -- (swallowing/dysphagia) and related disorders	4
Language disorders and treatment	4
Aphasia and treatment	4
Right CVA and treatment	4

Cognitive/communication disorders and treatment	4
Memory disorders and treatment	2

Augmentative and alternative communication systems and training in their use (if applicable to the setting)	4
Aural rehabilitation	4
Data recording and response discrimination scoring	1.5
Hearing Screening (if applicable to the setting)
This training must be done by a Wyoming licensed audiologist.	5
Speech/Language Screening	5
Behavior management skills	1.5
Stimulus presentation skills	1.5
Equipment and materials used	1.5
Overview of professional ethics and duties	1
Safety	0.5
Other as required by employer	As needed

(ii) A practicum and/or on-the-job training program is required and shall consist of the following minimum requirements:

AREA	HOURS OF PRACTICUM
Overview of normal speech development	--
Overview of normal language development	--
Articulation disorders and treatment	2
Phonology disorders and treatment	2
Voice and resonance disorders and treatment	3
Oral motor speech and orofacial myofunctional disorders and treatment -- including the areas of:	1.5
Dysarthria and treatment	4
Apraxia and treatment	4
Oral-pharyngeal disorders and treatment -- (swallowing/dysphagia) and related disorders	8
Language disorders and treatment	8
Aphasia and treatment	8
Right CVA and treatment	8
Cognitive/communication disorders and treatment	8
Memory disorders and treatment	6
Augmentative and alternative communication systems and training in their use (if applicable to the setting)	6
Aural rehabilitation	8
Data recording and response discrimination scoring	2
Hearing Screening (if applicable to the setting)
This training must be done by a Wyoming licensed	6

Audiologist.
Speech/Language Screening	10
Stimulus Presentation skills	1
Equipment and materials use	1
Other as required by employer	As Needed

(iii) Annual training to maintain proficiency in clinical management procedures shall be conducted. This training shall include updates of at least an hour in each area of initial training.

Section 3. Duties of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. After a period of intensive training, the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant may assume the following duties under the direct supervision of a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist:

1. (a) Conduct Speech-Language screenings (without interpretation) following specified screening protocols developed by the Licensee;
2. (b) Carry out prescriptive programming, set forth by the Licensee, for individuals and groups;
3. (c) Provide direct treatment assistance to a caseload of identified clients by the Licensee;
4. (d) Assist with informal documentation such as tallying notes for Licensees to use, prepare materials, and assist with other clerical duties as directed by the Licensee;
5. (e) Chart and graph client's progress. Record progress and sign documents only that have been reviewed and co-signed by the Licensee;
6. (f) Keep daily log of specific problems;
7. (g) Report progress to the Licensee;
8. (h) Schedule activities, prepare charts, records, graphs, or otherwise display data. This shall not include report generation;
9. (i) Perform simple checks and maintenance of equipment;
10. (j) Participate with the Licensee in research projects, inservice training and public relations programs;

Section 4. Duties Not Assumed by the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant shall not perform any of the following actions:

1. (a) Any activity which violates the Board's Standards of Ethical Principles;
2. (b) Administer tests, interpret test results or perform diagnostic Speech-

Language evaluations. A Speech-Language Pathology Assistant may serve as a translator when working with clients with limited English proficiency and may assist the Licensee during test administration;

1. (c) Conduct hearing screenings unless specially trained;
2. (d) Discuss confidential information or test results;
3. (e) Participate in parent conferences, case conferences or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of the Licensee;
4. (f) Client or family counseling;
5. (g) Write, develop or modify a client's individualized treatment plan in any way without the recommendation, guidance and approval of the Licensee;
6. (h) Treat clients without following the individual treatment plan prepared by the Licensee;
7. (i) Sign any document without the co-signature of the Licensee;
8. (j) Select clients for services;
9. (k) Discharge a client from services;
10. (l) Disclose clinical or confidential information either orally or in writing to anyone not designated by the Licensee;
11. (m) Make referrals for additional services;
12. (n) Use the title "Speech-Language Pathologist" either verbally or in writing. "Speech-Language Assistant" or "Speech Pathology Aide" may be used.

Section 5. Audiometric Technician Training

1. (a) An Audiometric training course taught by a Wyoming licensed Audiologist shall be completed. The training course consists of minimum initial requirements.
2. (i) The instructional program is required and shall consist of the following minimal requirements:

AREA	HOURS OF INSTRUCTION
Puretone audiometric screening	1
Otoscopic and immittance screening	4
Aural rehabilitation procedures	4
Record keeping procedures	1
Speech/Language screening (if applicable to the setting) This training must be done by a Wyoming licensed Speech Language Pathologist.	5
Other as required by employer	As Needed

(ii) A practicum and/or on-the-job training program is required and shall consist of the following minimum requirements:

AREA	HOURS OF PRACTICUM
Puretone Audiometric screening	2
Otoscopic and immittance screening	4
Aural rehabilitation procedures	8
Record keeping procedures	1
Speech/Language Screening (if applicable to the setting) This training must be done by a Wyoming licensed Speech-Language Pathologist.	2
Other as required by employer	As Needed

(iii) Annual training to maintain proficiency in clinical management procedures must be conducted. This training shall include updates of at least one hour in each area of initial training.

Section 6. Duties of the Audiometric Technician. After a period of intensive training, the Audiometric Technician may assume the following duties under the direct supervision of a licensed Audiologist:

(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 Audiometric Technician may not interpret tympanometry results;

(c) Carry out prescriptive aural rehabilitation programming set forth by the Licensee;

(d) Assist with informal documentation such as tallying notes for Licensee, prepare materials and assist with other clerical duties as directed by the Licensee;

(e) Keep a daily log of screenings performed;

(f) 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;

(g) Clean hearing aids;

(h) Instruct clients in the use of assistive listening devices;

(i) Schedule activities, prepare charts, records, graphs or otherwise display data. This shall not include report generation;

(j) Assist the Licensee in taking earmold impressions;

(k) Sign documents only that have been reviewed and co-signed by the Licensee;

(l) Perform simple checks and maintenance of equipment;

(m) Participate with the Licensee in research projects, inservice training and public relations programs.

Section 7. Duties Not Assumed by the Audiometric Technician. The Audiometric Technician shall not perform any of the following actions:

(a) Activity which violates the Board's Standards of Ethical Principles;

(b) Administer tests, interpret test results or perform diagnostic auditory or vestibular evaluations. An Audiometric Technician may serve as a translator when working with clients with limited English proficiency and may assist the Licensee during test administration;

(c) Conduct Speech-Language screenings unless specially trained;

(d) Discuss confidential information or test results, with the exception of indicating the data simply reveals normal or less than normal hearing sensitivity;

(e) Participate in parent conferences, case conferences or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of the Licensee;

(f) Do client or family counseling;

(g) Select, recommend or dispense a hearing aid or other assistive listening device;

(h) Work without following the specified protocol developed by the Licensee;

1. (i) Sign any document without the co-signature of the Licensee;
2. (j) Select clients for services;
3. (k) Discharge a client from services;
4. (l) Disclose clinical or confidential information either orally or in writing to anyone not designated by the Licensee;
5. (m) Make referrals for additional services, such as medical, hearing aids or other aural rehabilitation considerations;
6. (n) Use the title "Audiologist" either verbally or in writing. "Audiometric Technician" or "Audiology Aide" may be used.

Section 8. Registration. A Licensee supervising a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant or Audiometric Technician, shall register with the Board, on a form provided by the Board, providing the name of each individual working under supervision. Each Speech-Language Pathology Assistant or Audiometric Technician, working under the supervision of a Licensee, shall also register with the Board on a form provided by the Board. There shall be no fee for either of these registrations.

Section 9. Supervision. The method of supervision shall be specified on registration. It is assumed that the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant or Audiometric Technician will work in the same professional setting as the supervising Licensee. The Board may determine if other arrangements are appropriate and whether supervision is adequate.

Section 10. Maximum Number of Assistants or Technicians. Licensee may not supervise more than three (3) Assistants or Technicians in the area for which they are licensed, unless it is demonstrated to the Board that:

1. (a) The public's health and safety would be served,
2. (b) The supervising Licensee has the need, and
3. (c) The Licensee can adequately supervise more than three (3) Assistants or Technicians.

Section 11. Supervisor's Responsibilities. Each Licensee supervising an Assistant or Technician shall be responsible for the following:

1. (a) Instituting the required training program for each Assistant or Technician under the Licensee's supervision, encompassing all the procedures to be performed. The training program shall be specified upon registration and approved by the Board;

(b) Reporting to the Board the outcome of the training program, and the reliability of the Assistant's or Technician's clinical performance following training and direct observation. A report will be submitted to the Board at the end of the training but no later than at the completion of one year service;

(c) Insuring that the extent, kind and quality of functions performed are consistent with the Assistant's or Technician's training and experience; and

(d) Annually report to the Board on a form provided at the time of renewal.

Section 12. Miscellaneous

(a) One hundred percent (100%) of the Assistant's and Technician's Clinical activities are the responsibility of the Licensee. Direct on-site observations of the Assistant and Technician shall be completed according to the following:

(i) The first ten (10) hours of direct client contact following training.

(ii) Ten percent (10%) of all clinical sessions after the first 10 hours to include at least one in every 10 consecutive clinical sessions.

(b) Direct observation means on-site, visual observation of the Assistant and Technician as a clinical activity is performed. The direct observations shall be documented and include information on the quality of the Assistant's and Technician's performance. Information obtained during direct observations may include data relative to (i) agreement between the Assistant and Technician and the Licensee on judgment of target behavior, (ii) accuracy in implementation of assessment and management procedures, (iii) accuracy in recording data, and (iv) ability to interact effectively with the client. It is recommended that whenever accuracy of performance observed in areas (i) through (iii) listed above falls below the high standard of reliability set by the Licensee in three consecutive observations that the Assistant or Technician receive further training and observations be increased until the reliability returns to the required level.

(c) Indirect observations may include a variety of techniques such as audio or videotape recordings, telephone communications, numerical data or other means agreed to by the Licensee and the Assistant or Technician. Indirect observations shall occur at least once in every five consecutive clinical sessions.

(d) The Licensee shall review each individualized treatment plan weekly so that treatment modifications are made on a timely basis.

(e) In some instances, it may be necessary to change an Assistant's and Technician's duties or relieve that person of all duties if a high standard of proficiency cannot be attained, or if that person repeatedly violates the guidelines.

Section 13. Notice of Termination. Within thirty (30) days after the termination of an Assistant or Technician, the supervising Licensee shall notify the Board in writing of the

date of termination.

Section 14. Noncompliance with Chapter. Failure of a supervising Licensee to comply with the provisions of this Chapter may result in a forfeiture of the privilege of the Licensee to supervise an Assistant or Technician.