Wyo. Code R. 058-0001-5
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Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations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
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:
(a) Speech-Language Pathology training as specified in the Rules and Regulations by a Wyoming licensed Speech-Language Pathologist shall be completed for anyone seeking initial registration and/or who has not worked in the field in the last five (5) years. The training provided consists of minimum initial requirements.
(i) The training required shall, at a minimum, consist of 25 hours of observational training in:
1. An overview of speech and/or language disorders relative to client-related care;
2. Ethical and legal responsibilities;
3. Observing and data collection specific to site population;
4. Record keeping; and (ii) 25 hours of direct supervised client contact. (iii) Annual training to maintain proficiency in clinical management procedures shall be conducted.
Section 3. Duties of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. After the initial period of intensive training, the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant may assume the following duties under the direct supervision of a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist:
(a) Conduct Speech-Language screenings (without interpretation) following specified screening protocols developed by the Licensee;
(b) Carry out prescriptive programming, set forth by the Licensee, for individuals and groups;
(c) Provide direct treatment assistance to a caseload of identified clients by the Licensee;
(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;
(e) Chart and graph client's progress. Record progress and sign documents only that have been reviewed and co-signed by the Licensee;
(f) Keep daily log of specific problems;
(g) Report progress to the Licensee;
(h) Schedule activities, prepare charts, records, graphs, or otherwise display data. This shall not include report generation;
(i) Perform simple checks and maintenance of equipment;
(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:
(a) Any activity which violates the Board's Standards of Ethical Principles;
(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;
(c) Conduct hearing screenings unless specially trained;
(d) Participate in parent conferences, case conferences or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of the Licensee;
(e) Client or family counseling;
(f) Write, develop or modify a client's treatment plan in any way without the recommendation, guidance and approval of the Licensee;
(g) Treat clients without following the treatment plan prepared by the Licensee; (h) Sign any document without the co-signature of the Licensee; (i) Select clients for services; (j) Discharge a client from services; (k) Disclose clinical or confidential information either orally or in writing to anyone not designated by the Licensee; (l) Make referrals for additional services; (m) Use the title "Speech-Language Pathologist" either verbally or in writing. "Speech-Language Assistant" or "Speech Pathology Aide" may be used.
(a) Audiometric training as specified in the Rules and Regulations by a Wyoming licensed Audiologist shall be completed for anyone seeking initial registration and/or who has not worked in the field in the last five (5) years. The training provided consists of minimum initial requirements.
(i) The training required shall, at a minimum, consist of 25 hours of observational training in:
1. An overview of hearing and balance relative to client-related assessment, disorders, and care;
2. Ethical and legal responsibilities;
3. Observing and data collection specific to site population;
4. Record keeping; and
(ii) 25 hours of direct supervised client contact.
(iii) Annual training to maintain proficiency in clinical management procedures must be conducted.
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; (i) Sign any document without the co-signature of the Licensee; (j) Select clients for services; (k) Discharge a client from services; (l) Disclose clinical or confidential information either orally or in writing to anyone not designated by the Licensee; (m) Make referrals for additional services, such as medical, hearing aids or other aural rehabilitation considerations; (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. Supervision will be by a fully licensed Speech Pathologists or Audiologist with no less than two (2) years experience. 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:
(a) The public's health and safety would be served, (b) The supervising Licensee has the need, and (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:
(a) Instituting the required training for each Assistant or Technician under the Licensee's supervision, encompassing all the procedures to be performed. The training shall be specified upon registration and approved by the Board;
(b) Reporting to the Board the outcome of the training, 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.
(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 initial 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 and periodic direct observation of every client.
(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 performance observed in areas (i) through (iv) 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) The Licensee shall review each individualized treatment plan weekly so that treatment modifications are made on a timely basis.
(d) 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.