Rule 15-19-60-10.10.8 - Duties of the Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology Aide1. Aides shall be clearly identified as aides by means of a nametag or other appropriate identification at all times. The supervising licensee shall obtain the written consent of the consumer prior to client services being performed by an aide as part of a treatment plan. The consent form shall also be signed by the aide and the licensee and retained together in one (1) clearly marked file in the principal business office of the licensee and available for review and inspection by the Department. All documents signed by an aide must clearly identify the individual as an aide. Training in professional behavior must be completed. For example, the confidentiality of patient information should be discussed.2. Duties of the speech-language pathology aide may include the following (other activities are considered the practice of the licensed speech-language pathologist): a. Routine paperwork (case history, permission to test, insurance, scheduling, billing, etc.).b. Administer self-questionnaires to clients (paper and pencil or computerized).c. Demonstrate any computerized testing/therapy materials the clinician utilizes.d. Set up office room for therapy or testing (this includes any equipment assembly as for a nasometer, visipitch or IBM speech viewer.e. Biologically calibrate equipment.f. Display knowledge of universal body precautions and use of personal protective barriers.g. Except for the purposes of dispensing hearing aids, do mass auditory screening (such as those done in a public school with an audiometer).h. Record keeping during therapy procedures.i. Disinfect materials or items used in testing or therapy (equipment, furniture, etc.) after every client/patient visit.j. Assist client in use of augmentative communication devices.k. Demonstrate communication boards. This includes client interaction.l. Some speech-language activities such as repetitive drills are routinely assigned to a parent, caretaker, or significant other for stabilization/generalization purposes. This is done after the speech-language pathologist has introduced and taught the client the target sound or language concept. These types of drill activities are allowed.m. Demonstrate an electrolarynx. The aide is restricted to self demonstration.n. Participate in behavior modification programming.o. Speech-language pathology aides may not be responsible for or perform diagnostic or evaluative procedures nor those activities listed as "Speech-language pathology" in Section 73-38-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated.3. Duties of the audiology aide may include the following (other activities are considered the practice of the licensed audiologist): a. Routine paper work (case history, permission to test, insurance, scheduling, billing, etc.).b. Demonstrate assistive listening devices.c. Perform minor troubleshooting on hearing aids/assistive listening devices.d. Except for the purpose of dispensing hearing aids, make ear molds/impressions after ears are "visually inspected" by the physician or the licensed audiologist.e. Administer self-questionnaires to clients (paper and pencil or computerized).f. Demonstrate any computerized testing/therapy materials that the clinician utilizes.g. Set up office room or prepare client/patient for therapy or testing (this includes any equipment assembly as for an otoscope), or patient preparation work for electrophysiological measures.h. Biologically calibrate equipment.i. Display knowledge of universal body precautions and use of personal protective barriers.j. Record keeping during audiometric or therapy procedures.k. Provide assistance to the audiologist who shall perform the pediatric auditory testing or sound field testing. l. Disinfect materials or items used in testing or therapy (equipment, furniture, specula, etc.) after every client/patient visit.m. Take sound intensity readings as with a sound level meter.n. Audiology aides shall not be responsible for or perform a) diagnostic or evaluative procedures and/or b) any activities listed as "Audiology" in Section 73-38-3 of the Mississippi Code 1972 Annotated and/or c) any procedures that deal with the fitting of hearing aids.15 Miss. Code. R. 19-60-10.10.8
Miss. Code Ann. § 73-38-13