PENNSYLVANIA SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION
PSHA NEWS
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| Licensure Board Adopts Regulations for Mandatory Continuing Education |
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NEW Career Center For All Your Job Searching Needs
Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association has launched a NEW Career Center, for all your job searching and placements needs.
As a job seeker, you will find jobs that are specific to the industry, these are targeted opportunities that can’t be found on larger job board websites.
What can you do at the New Career Center?
Post your resume anonymously, all of your information is displayed in your resume EXCEPT for your name and contact information. You can divulge as much or as little in your resume posting as you see fit. This service has the ability to keep active and passive job seekers connected to the employment market while maintaining full control over their confidential information.
Personal Job Alerts you can set up job alerts! When a job is posted that meets the criteria that you have selected, you will get an email notifying you that that job was posted. This means that you will never miss an opportunity, and you won’t have to filter through the job bank. You can save searches, store jobs, keep notes, communicate with employers through an internal messaging system, and more!
As an employer, the career center gives you an all inclusive recruiting center to help develop and grow your staff. Broadcast you job postings, daily emails will be sent to jobseekers, search the RESUME BANK and pay only for resumes of jobseekers interested in your position. Create a free company profile and have your logo displayed on all job posting with an overviews of your company.
Visit the Pennsylvania Speech Language Hearing Association
CAREER CENTER today at www.psha.org
Licensure Bill Advocacy: From Dream to Reality
As many of you who attended the recent PSHA convention learned, the rewrite of the licensure bill was finally introduced as Senate Bill 1342 by Senators John Gordner and Jay Costa and referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on April 3, 2008. For the past several years, the various professions licensed under the State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing (BOE) have been in discussion on appropriate updates to the practice act, including new definitions of the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology, composition of the BOE, and the credentialing required for licensure. Bills have been introduced in past sessions, but agreement was never reached, and the bills died. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association (PSHA) collaborated with the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology (PAA) to draft an update of our licensure act to reflect the current level of education and scope of practice of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Through the collaboration of PSHA and PAA, the changes in the law that we seek with this bill will correct the numerous statutory restrictions and requirements that have no basis in the education or skill levels of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, or teachers of the hearing impaired. The intent of this act is better, more accessible speech-language and hearing care, practiced by trained, qualified professionals to ensure greater confidence for the public that the highest standards of competent service provision is being met.
Your help is needed in getting SB1342 out of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. Our lobbyist, David Tive, and PAA’s lobbyist, Ted Mowatt, have already met with the Executive Director of the Committee to carefully review SB1342 and to point out the areas where it differs from the current law. Our bill is just one of a long list of bills the Committee must address. Our bill is not expected to be ignored, but immediate responsive action will not be taken unless we get involved. Each member of PSHA, professional coworkers, family and friends need to write, email, personally visit, and/or talk to their district senator about asking Senator Tomlinson, the Committee Chairman, to move the bill out of Committee. Quantity does mean something, and this is a great way to advocate for increased visibility of the speech-language and hearing professionals in meeting the needs of the cognitively and communicatively vulnerable.
There are several avenues for communicating with your district senator. A phone call to your elected district senator can be a tool of mass pressure. If you decided to call your elected official, remember that you will probably deal with a staff person who knows little about this issue. Clearly identify that you are calling about Senate Bill 1342, an act amending the Speech-Language and Hearing Licensure Act. Explain that SB1342 was introduced by Senators John Gordner and Jay Costa and was referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on April 3, 2008. Respectfully request that the Senator support SB 1342 by asking the Committee Chairperson, Senator Tomlinson, to move the bill out of Committee.
If you are already a key supporter or close friend of your district senator, an office visit is the strongest way to make a personal appeal. Even if you have never contacted your district senator, an office visit can be a great first step to developing a collegial relationship. The goal of your visit should be to advocate your position from a local vantage point. For example, if you work at a school or hospital in your senator’s district, you will want to explain how SB1342 would impact your professional service delivery to the clients and/or patients of the district. Show your concern for your clients and/or patients and use personal stories as illustration. You may want to leave the senator with a one-page fact sheet that outlines why this licensure update is so important and what you want your district senator to do. If your district senator has a scheduling conflict, meeting with office staff can be just as important. Remember to present a similar personal and local perspective. At the end of the meeting, let your senator or his/her staff member know that you wish to stay in touch. Be sure to leave your card and offer to serve as an information resource: “If you need information on any issues related to speech-language or hearing care, please give me a call.” After the meeting, send a follow-up letter or email to the senator and/or staff member repeating your points and expressing thanks for their attention. Briefly touch on your key points and renew your offer to serve as an information resource.
If you wish to communicate with your district senator and the public at the same time, a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or an op-ed article mentioning the name of your district senator is certain to be read by that official. In crafting a letter to the editor, remember that most letters that get printed are in response to an editorial or article that has appeared in the paper previously. With May being Better Speech and Hearing Month, there may have been stories or reported public commentary on our professions, either locally or nationally. You can use such stories as a reference to begin your letter to the editor. Keep your letter short, and if possible, get several people to write letters on the same topic to increase the odds that at least one letter will be printed. Be sure to give your phone number as a newspaper will be cautious about people signing phony names, so they may call to verify that it’s your letter. If you praise you district senator in your letter to the editor, send a copy to your senator at the same time you send it to the newspaper. Even if the newspaper doesn’t run your letter, the official will appreciate your effort.
Finally, because of how busy our professional lives can be, I have created a letter template and an email template that you, your coworkers, your family, friends, clients, and patients with taking action to get this bill on its way to becoming law. These templates can be located at the beginning of this article. It’s an exciting time to get involved in legislative advocacy. With your help and support, the dream of an updated licensure act will become the reality of a 21st century licensure law.
License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
This past September, practitioners holding an active or inactive license, issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing, received a letter from Commissioner Basil L. Merenda, informing them of an amendment to section 5 (7) of the Speech-Language and Hearing Licensure Act (63 P.S. § 1705 (7) and its accompanying regulations (49 PA. Code 45.501-45.507) that requires all licensees to complete 20 clock hours of continuing education between August 1, 2006 and July 31, 2008. What does this change mean for you and how do you accrue and document your continuing education activities?
Beginning August 1, 2008, renewal of a license by a speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or teacher of the hearing impaired will not be granted unless the licensee certifies that he or she has completed the required 20 clock hours of continuing education. These hours can be obtained by attending any approved continuing education program. Programs pre-approved for continuing education credit are sponsored by ASHA and AAA, as are courses offered by academic programs in speech-language pathology, audiology, or teaching of the hearing impaired associated with institutions accredited by any state’s department of education (Act 48 hours) or a regional commission on institutions of higher education.
Is it an hour, a unit, or a credit?
A clock hour consists of 50 to 60 minutes of instruction or participation in an approved continuing education (CE) course or program. Clock hours differ from continuing education units (CEUs). One clock hour is equivalent to one tenth (.1) of a CEU. Therefore, to meet the continuing education requirement per biennium, a renewing licensee must have accrued 2.0 CEUs of instruction or participation in an approved CE course or program.
Can I “Double Dip” and Use Act 48 Hours for Licensure Renewal?
In most cases, yes, you can “double dip.” For individuals who are both licensed by the State Board of Examiners and certified by the Department of Education, the Board will accept all approved credits that conform to its proposed regulation even if a licensee used the same education experience to fulfill his or her requirements from the Department of Education. In other words, continuing education activities approved by the Department of Education, which are also approved by the Board, can be used to fulfill the requirements under both professional educator certification and license renewal. Be aware that some continuing education activities approved by the Department of Education for maintaining certification as a professional educator may not be approved by the licensure Board as beneficial or adequate for maintaining state licensure.
How Do I Document My Hours for the Licensure Board?
In order to certify that one has completed the required 20 clock hours of continuing education, the licensee must sign a statement on the license renewal application provided by the Board, certifying that the continuing education requirement has been met during the preceding biennial period. Because the Board will utilize random audits of renewal applications to determine compliance with this CE requirement, each licensee should maintain a continuing education record of courses and/or activities completed for a minimum of four years. If verification is requested, the audited licensee must be able to provide a continuing education record that documents the dates attended, continuing education hours claimed, title of course, description of content, and location of course. PSHA has created a tracking form you might wish to use for documenting your continuing education activities.
How Do I Get A Continuing Education Course or Program Pre-Approved by the Licensure Board?
Credit for continuing education may be obtained for any program approved in advance by the Board. To apply for approval of a continuing education course or program, an application must be completed and submitted to the Board at least 90 days in advance of the date the course or program is scheduled. Board evaluation takes 45 to 90 days depending upon the volume of application requests and there is a nonrefundable cost of $40.00 for submitting an application. The Board will not approve continuing education programs in office management or practice building. Preapproval for a continuing education course or program is contingent upon compliance with the standards of provider responsibilities. For each proposed continuing education course or program, the provider must:
1) disclose to prospective participants the objectives, content, teaching method, and number of hours of continuing education credit;
2) provide adequate facilities and appropriate instructional materials for the number of anticipated participants; and
3) utilize a verifiable method of certifying participation and issue a certified continuing education record to each participant.
Additional information can be found on the application form found at http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/lib/bpoa/20/spch_board/speech_application_for_ce.pdf
Finally, any licensed speech-language pathologists, audiologist, or teacher of the hearing impaired who fails to complete the required CE requirement within any biennial renewal period or who submits fraudulent continuing education records, may be subject to disciplinary action.
Susan L. Hegel, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Vice President of Professional Preparation and Certification
Charlotte J. Molrine, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Vice President for Governmental Relations
LICENSURE
BOARD ADOPTS REGULATIONS FOR MANDATORY
CONTINUING EDUCATION
The final regulations implementing mandatory continuing education for all licensed speech-language pathologists, audiologists and teachers of the hearing impaired will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin shortly. The new requirements will take effect on August 1, 2006, at the start of the next two-year licensure period.
All licensees will receive information from the State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing, but PSHA wants you to know in advance of that official notice.
The primary provisions of the new rules are as follows:
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Current Licensees |
NEW Licensees |
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complete a minimum of 20 clock hours of continuing education prior to the end of a two-year licensure period in order to renew their licenses
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Any person receiving his or her initial licensure will not need the continuing education for that 1st licensure period |
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A licensee trying to reinstate an inactive or lapsed license must have met the 20 hour requirement in the preceding licensure period in order to have the license reinstated |
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o Forms for reporting continuing education will be provided by the Board
o A clock hour is 50 to 60 minutes in an approved course
o Courses offered under the auspices of ASHA or AAA, or academic programs in speech-language pathology, audiology and teaching of the hearing impaired at an accredited college or university in the state are all preapproved
o Up to 10 of the required 20 clock hours may be taken for services as a lecturer or speaker, or for publications, provided that the licensee applies to the Board to have those hours approved
o Individual waivers from the 20 hour minimum may be granted by the Board upon application by the licensee
**Please note that the 20 hour requirement does not apply to those renewing their licenses this year, but will be required for renewal in 2008.
PSHA APPROVED TO OFFER ACT 48 HOURS FOR ASHA WORKSHOPS!
PSHA has continued to work for its members to offer additional ways to meet the PDE Act 48 requirements.
Now PSHA has been approved to convert attendance to workshops that offer ASHA CEUs into Act 48 hours. All eligible workshops must meet the PDE requirements by relating to the attainment of the K-12 academic standards. Ways to do so:
** ASHA Convention attendance
** ASHA Approved CEU workshops
To obtain an ASHA CEU/Act 48 Conversion Form, click here.
For more information or questions, contact the PSHA Office at psha@psha.org.
Collaboration
oF PAA & PSHA on Senate Bill 119
Senate Bill 119 is the current legislation proposed to amend the 1984 law entitled “An act regulating the practice of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and teachers of the hearing impaired”. Senate Bill 119 will bring the practice of our professions in Pennsylvania into the 21st century. It updates educational requirements, the scope of practice, as well as other aspects of practice for speech-language pathology, audiology, and education of individuals who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. The amended law will allow our professions to perform the clinical duties within the most recent scope of practices of our governing bodies. However, there has been significant opposition to this document by the medical societies of Pennsylvania as well as by national medical societies.
On May 25, 2005, Sherman
Lord and James Shafer from the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology (PAA) and
Marjorie DeBlander, Glen Tellis, and Thomas Zalewski from the Pennsylvania
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA) met at the Capitol Building in
Harrisburg to discuss the differences between the two groups and how best
to overcome the opposition to the amendment. There have been past meetings between the two organizations
to address these issues, however, this was the most productive meeting to
date. The representatives
agreed that both societies MUST work
in harmony if this proposed legislation is to become law.
Further, both groups indicated that they would like to see greater
communication and cooperation between the associations now and in future
endeavors. The PAA and PSHA
representatives came to an agreement on several issues for Senate Bill
119. Both organizations
believe that the agreed upon language of the proposed legislation allows
speech-language pathologists, audiologist, and educators of the Deaf/Hard
of Hearing to meet the existing needs and future needs of our patients
within the current models of best practice.
At this time, the
representatives believe PAA and PSHA can present a united front to support
the amendment. Without this
unity it will be extremely difficult to modernize the practice of
speech-language pathology, audiology, and education of individuals who are
Deaf/Hard of Hearing in the Commonwealth.
However, both organizations cannot complete this task without the
support of many speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and educators
of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Support
and assist your state organizations in any way possible to allow this
amendment to become law. Our
professions have made tremendous strides in the past 21 years.
This amendment MUST
become law if we want our professions to continue to evolve.
Do you have PSHA News, email the PSHA Office at PSHA@psha.org.