10205. SCOPE OF PRACTICE

10205 SCOPE OF PRACTICE 10205.1 No person may practice as a speech-language pathology assistant unless registered in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. 10205.2 A speech-language pathology assistant may only practice under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist who meets the requirements of § 10207.2 of this title. 10205.3 A speech-language pathology assistant may assist a speech-language pathologist in providing speech-language pathology services and treatments, which may include the following duties: Participating in parent conferences, case conferences, or any interdisciplinary team; Signing or initialing informal treatment notes to be reviewed and co-signed by the supervising speech-language pathologist; Using a checklist or tabulating results of feeding or swallowing evaluations; or Treating medically fragile students, patients, or clients. 10205.4 A speech-language pathology assistant shall not engage in any of the following conducts: (a) Representing himself or herself as a speech-language pathologist; (b) Performing standardized or non-standardized diagnostic tests, formal or informal evaluations, or swallowing screenings/checklists; (c) Performing procedures that require a high level of clinical acumen and technical skills, including but not limited to vocal tract prosthesis shaping or fitting, vocal tract imaging, and oral pharyngeal swallow therapy with bolus material; (d) Interpreting clinical results or observations; (e) Participating in formal parent conferences, case conferences, or any interdisciplinary team without the presence of the supervising speech-language pathologist or other designated supervising speech-language pathologist; (f) Providing interpretative information to the student/patient/client, family, or others regarding the patient/client status or service; (g) Writing, developing, or modifying a student's, patient's, or client's treatment plan in any way; (h) Assisting with students, patients, or clients without following the individualized treatment plan prepared by the certified speech-language pathologist or without access to supervision; (i) Signing any formal documents (e.g., treatment plans, reimbursement forms, or reports; the speech-language assistant may sign or initial informal treatment notes for review and co-sign with the supervising speech-language pathologist as requested); (j) Selecting students, patients, or clients for service; (k) Discharging a student, patient, or client from services; (l) Making referrals for additional service; (m) Disclosing clinical or confidential information either orally or in writing to anyone other than the supervising speech-language pathologist unless mandated by law; (n) Developing or determining the swallowing strategies or precautions for patients, family, or staff; (o) Treating medically fragile students/patients/clients independently; (p) Designing or selecting augmentative and alternative communication systems or devices; or (q) Invoicing a payor directly for his or her services. 10205.5 A speech-language pathology assistant shall meet with the supervising speech-language pathologist at least once per month to discuss his or her practice and services. 10205.6 A speech-language pathology assistant shall cease practice immediately if there is no speech-language pathologist providing current and active supervision. . SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 64 DCR 8280 (August 18, 2017). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Business, Occupations, and Professionals 17 DCMR § 10205