Kan. Admin. Regs. § 28-61-8

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 46, November 14, 2024

Section 28-61-8 - Assistants

(a) Each speech-language pathology assistant and each audiology assistant shall meet the following criteria:

(1) Have received a high school diploma or equivalent;

(2) complete a training program conducted by a Kansas-licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist. This training shall include the following:

(A) Ethical and legal responsibilities;

(B) an overview of the speech, language, and hearing disorders;

(C) response discrimination skills;

(D) behavior management;

(E) charting of behavioral objectives and recordkeep-ing;

(F) teaching principles, if applicable to the employment setting; and

(G) other skill training as required by the employment setting; and

(3) receive ongoing supervised training by a Kansas-licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist for at least one hour per month.

(b) Any speech-language pathology assistant or audi-ology assistant may perform the following:

(1) Follow documented treatment plans and protocols that are planned, designed, and supervised by a Kansas-licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist;

(2) record, chart, graph, report, or otherwise display data relative to client performance, including hearing screenings, and report this information to a supervising speech-language pathologist or audiologist;

(3) participate with a Kansas-licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist in research projects, public relations programs, or similar activities;

(4) perform clerical duties, including preparing materials and scheduling activities as directed by a Kansas-licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist;

(5) prepare instructional materials; and

(6) perform equipment checks and maintain equipment, including hearing aids.

(c) A speech-language pathology assistant or audiolo-gist assistant shall not perform any of the following:

(1) Perform standardized or nonstandardized diagnostic tests, conduct formal or informal evaluations, or provide clinical interpretations of test results;

(2) participate in parent conferences, case conferences, or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of a supervising Kansas-licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist;

(3) perform any procedure for which the assistant is not qualified, has not been adequately trained, or is not receiving adequate supervision;

(4) screen or diagnose clients for feeding or swallowing disorders;

(5) write, develop, or modify a client's individualized treatment plan in any way;

(6) assist clients without following the individualized treatment plan prepared by a Kansas-licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist or without access to supervision;

(7) sign any formal documents, including treatment plans, reimbursement forms, or reports. An assistant shall sign or initial informal treatment notes for review and signing by a Kansas-licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist;

(8) select clients for services;

(9) discharge a client from services;

(10) make referrals for additional services;

(11) use a checklist or tabulate results of feeding or swallowing evaluations;

(12) demonstrate swallowing strategies or precautions to clients, family, or staff; or

(13) represent that person as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.

(d) Each assistant shall be supervised by a Kansas-licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist. The supervisor shall be licensed to practice in the field in which the assistant is providing services.

(1) Each supervisor shall be responsible for determining that the assistant is satisfactorily qualified and prepared for the duties assigned to the assistant.

(2) Each supervisor shall obtain, retain, and maintain on file documentation of the assistant's qualifications and training outlined in subsection (a).

(3) Only the supervisor shall exercise independent judgment in performing professional procedures for the client. The supervisor shall not delegate the exercise of independent judgment to the assistant.

(4) A speech-language pathologist or audiologist who holds a temporary license shall not be eligible to supervise assistants.

(e) Each supervisor shall directly supervise at least 10 percent of the assistant's client contact time. No portion of the assistant's direct client contact shall be counted toward the ongoing training required in subsection (a). No portion of the assistant's time performing activities under indirect supervision shall be counted toward client contact time.

(f) "Direct supervision" shall mean the on-site, in-view observation and guidance provided by a speech-language pathologist or audiologist to an assistant while the assistant performs an assigned activity.

(g) "Indirect supervision" shall mean the type of guidance, other than direct supervision, that a speech-language pathologist or audiologist provides to an assistant regarding the assistant's assigned activities. This term shall include demonstration, record review, and review and evaluation of audiotaped sessions, videotaped sessions, or sessions involving interactive television.

(h) Each supervisor shall, within 30 days of employing an assistant, submit written notice to the department of the assistant's name, employment location, and verification that the assistant meets the qualifications listed in subsection (a). Each supervisor shall notify the department of any change in the status of an assistant.

(i) Each supervisor shall perform all of the following tasks:

(1) Develop a system to evaluate the performance level of each assistant under the licensee's supervision;

(2) retain and maintain on file documentation of the performance level of each assistant supervised; and

(3) report to the department at the time of the supervisor's license renewal, on a department-approved form, the name and employment location of each assistant.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 28-61-8

Authorized by K.S.A. 65-6503; implementing K.S.A. 65-6501; effective Dec. 28, 1992; amended March 16, 2001; amended April 16, 2010.