SLP Assistant Information

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Registration for Assistants

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Code defines an assistant as, "An individual who works under the direction and supervision of a licensed audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing-impaired "and who meets the specified education and training requirements. It further specifies that an assistant must receive direct onsite supervision (i.e., "a licensed audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing-impaired" must be physically present "in the facility or location where the assistant is working who is immediately available to exercise supervision, direction and control."), and that "a licensee may not supervise more than three assistants." (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988). Pennsylvania Code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

The Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs stipulates that the licensed audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing impaired who will supervise the work of an assistant must file with the Licensure Board (a) the name of their assistant (b) the location where the assistant will work, and (c) certification that the assistant has met the education and training requirements within 30 days of the assistant's employment or a change in the assistant's employment or supervision. Use of an unregistered assistant or a person serving in the capacity of an assistant who has not fulfilled the specified training requirements or who is positioned to provide service without appropriate supervision is strictly proscribed.* ( Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988). Pennsylvania Code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

In order to work as an assistant the individual must have met one of the following education and training requirements:

1. completed 30 semester hours or the equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education in the area of speech-language and hearing for a certificate of clinical competence from the council of professional standards of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or the Council on Education of the Deaf, or
2. practiced as an assistant in the area of speech-language and hearing since at least June 8, 1989, under the supervision of an audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing-impaired licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or
3. practiced as an assistant in the area of speech-language and hearing since at least June 8, 1989, under the supervision of an
   audiologist, speech-language-pathologist or teacher of the hearing-impaired licensed in another state or the District of Columbia which has requirements for assistants substantially equivalent to the provisions of the Commonwealth.

(Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing (1988). Pennsylvania Code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

Prior to assigning a duty to an assistant, a licensed supervisor is required to "perform a task analysis of the expected duties of each assistant the licensee supervises, and shall train the assistant, with an emphasis on competency-based skill acquisition, in accordance with the analysis. Training may be provided through formal coursework, workshops or directly supervised observation or practicum; training shall encompass all areas of activities which the assistant will perform. An assistant trained in one area (audiology, speech-language pathology, teaching of the hearing-impaired) may not perform duties in another area, unless training in that area has been given. An assistant is not permitted to perform a duty for which, in the opinion of the licensed supervisor, the assistant is neither trained nor qualified. A minimum of 20 hours of practical training for each duty is required." (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988). Pennsylvania code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

An assistant may engage in only duties that are planned, designed and supervised by a licensed professional. Examples of appropriate duties include:

1. The screening of speech, language or hearing.
2. The recording, charting, graphing or otherwise displaying of data which reflects the performance of a person serviced.
3. The maintaining of clinical records.
4. The reporting of changes in the performance of a person served to the licensee who is responsible for that person.
5. The preparing of clinical materials, including ear molds.
6. The testing of hearing aids to determine whether they meet published specifications.
7. The participating with the licensee in research projects, in-service training, public relations programs and similar activities.

(Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing. (1988). Pennsylvania code. (Title 49, Professional & Vocational Standards. Chapter 45, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing Pennsylvania Code.)

Assistants may not engage in one or more of the following activities:

1. The formulating of diagnostic statements or clinical management strategies or procedures.
2. The determining of who will be served.
3. The transmitting of clinical information, including data or impressions bearing on the performance, behavior or progress of a person served, either verbally or in writing, to anyone other than the licensee.
4. The independent composing of clinical reports, except for progress notes to be held in the file of the person served.
5. The referring of a person served to other professionals or other agencies.
6. The using of a title, either verbally or in writing, other than one which complies with [the stated definition of an assistant].
7. Activities which require the formal education or training, and the skill and knowledge of a licensed audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing impaired.

*"A licensee shall inform the Board when he has reason to believe that a licensee under the act may have violated this Code of Ethics."

[For additional information regarding Licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and/or its Code of Ethics*, please contact: Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing, P. O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649]

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