La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LXXV-139

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section LXXV-139 - Qualifications and Duties of Aides

A. Audiologists and Speech-language pathologists are legally, ethically, and morally responsible for the services provided by aides working under their direction.

B. Requirements for the use of aides follow.

1. A licensed audiologist or speech-language pathologist may utilize an aide who meets the following qualifications. The aide shall:

a. be of good moral character;

b. be at least 18 years old;

c. possess appropriate communication skills;

d. have a high school diploma or G.E.D.

2. The supervising audiologist or speech-language pathologist is responsible for determining that the aide is qualified and prepared for the duties which s/he will be assigned. It is recommended that the aide be afforded continuing education opportunities. Appropriate areas of training may include:

a. normal processes in speech, language and hearing;

b. disorders of speech, language and hearing;

c. record-keeping and data compilation;

d. utilization of equipment and materials;

e. professional ethics and their application to the aide's duties;

f. administration of hearing screening tests.

C. Supervision

1. The licensed audiologist or speech-language pathologist shall provide periodic direct observation for each aide at least once per month during the initial year of the aide's employment. Speech-language pathology aides are required to undergo direct supervision by a licensed speechlanguage pathologist, licensed in the area in accordance with R.S. 37:2659(B). Audiology aides are required to undergo direct supervision by a licensed audiologist, licensed in the area in accordance with R.S. 37:2659(A). Audiology aides and Speech-language pathology aides may not be supervised by a provisional licensee, restricted licensee, assistant licensee, an individual on inactive status, a telehealth registrant, or an immediate family member.

2. The direct observation in subsequent years shall be established by the supervising audiologist or speechlanguage pathologist on an individual basis but shall be no less than once every three months.

3. The supervising audiologist or speech-language pathologist shall be readily available for consultation with the aide at all times.

4. Documentation of direct supervision shall be maintained by the supervising audiologist or speechlanguage pathologist and shall be submitted to the board upon request.

5. The supervising audiologist or speech-language pathologist shall report to the board at the time of licensure renewal, the names and employment locations of aides.

D. The speech-language pathology aide may engage in activities limited to those that are planned and directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist. Providing that the preparation, training, and supervision are appropriate, the following tasks may be assigned to speech-language pathology aides:

1. setting up room and equipment;

2. clearing room and storing equipment;

3. preparing materials (such as making copies, typing forms) for use by the speech-language pathologist;

4. checking equipment to determine if the equipment is performing adequately;

5. transporting patients/clients to and from sessions;

6. assisting with field trips;

7. performing hearing screenings limited to pure-tone air conduction screening and screening tympanometry;

8. recording, charting, graphing, or otherwise displaying objective data relative to the patient's/client's performance.

E. The audiology aide may engage in activities limited to those that are planned and directed by the supervising audiologist. Providing that the preparation, training, and supervision are appropriate, the following tasks may be assigned to audiology aides:

1. setting up room and equipment;

2. clearing room and storing equipment;

3. preparing materials (such as making copies, typing forms) for use by the audiologist;

4. checking equipment to determine if the equipment is performing adequately;

5. transporting patients/clients to and from sessions;

6. assisting with field trips;

7. performing hearing screening tests and pure-tone air conduction threshold tests without interpretation;

8. recording, charting, graphing, or otherwise displaying objective data relative to the patient/client's performance.

F. Only the audiologist or speech-language pathologist shall exercise independent judgment in the provision of professional services. Specifically, the audiologist or speechlanguage pathologist may not delegate any of the following to the aide:

1. speech-language screening;

2. evaluation, diagnosis, or therapy with individuals with speech, language or hearing disorders;

3. interpretation of test and assessment results or discussion of confidential information despite the fact that this information may have been requested by the patient/client, parent or referring agency;

4. performance of any procedure for which the aide has not been trained.

G. Exemption. Aides employed on or before April 1996 may continue to operate under the provisions of Chapter 3, §301-305 of the Louisiana Register 16:409 (May 1990) of the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LXXV-139

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, LR 16:409 (May 1990), amended LR 22:355 (May 1996), LR 27:201 (February 2001), LR 28:1781 (August 2002), LR 30:2318 (October 2004), LR 33:2199 (October 2007), amended by the Department of Health, Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, LR 45262 (2/1/2019), Amended LR 482748 (11/1/2022), Repromulgated LR 492964(12/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:2650 et seq.