Scope of Practice

PURPOSE: This rule details the scope of practice for speechlanguage pathology assistants. (1) The supervising speech-language pathologist shall assign all duties of the speech-language pathology assistant. (2) At the initial contact with an adult patient/client or guardian/ designated caregiver the speech-language pathology assistant shall identify themselves as a speech-language pathology assistant and explain that they do not act independently but under the direction and supervision of a licensed speechlanguage pathologist. For students eligible for special education services pursuant to section 162.700, RSMo, such identification shall be provided to parents/guardians and other participants in an individualized education program meeting. (3) The activities of a speech-language pathology assistant may include, but not be all inclusive of the following: (A) Conducting speech-language and hearing screenings without interpretation; (B) Following documented treatment plans or protocols as developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist; (C) Documenting patient/client/student progress toward meeting established objectives as specified in the treatment or special education plan, with documentation review by the supervising speech-language pathologist; (D) Reporting changes in a patient’s/client’s/student’s performance and progress to the supervising speech-language pathologist; (E) Assisting the supervising speech-language pathologist during the assessment of a patient/client/student; (F) Reporting in conferences, team meetings, etc., as directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist; (G) Scheduling activities, preparing charts, records, graphs, or otherwise display data; (H) Communicating with a patient/client/student, or a patient’s/client’s/student’s family, staff, etc., regarding the patient/client/student status as directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist; (I) Constructing or modifying clinical materials; (J) Participating with the supervising speech-language pathologist in research projects, in-service training, public relation programs, or similar activities; or (K) Any and all duties as specified to be within the scope of the speech-language pathology assistant, as provided in Chapter 345, RSMo. (4) Speech-language pathology assistants shall not (this list is not intended to be all inclusive)— (A) Conduct and/or interpret evaluations; (B) Make diagnostic statements or special education eligibility determinations; (C) Determine case selections; (D) Interpret observations and/or data; (E) Refer a patient/client/student to other professionals, agencies, or individuals for services; (F) Write, develop, or modify a patient’s/client’s/student’s treatment or special education plan; (G) Assist with the treatment of a patient/client/student without following an individualized treatment or special education plan prepared by the supervising speech-language pathologist; (H) Discharge a patient/client/student from treatment; (I) Provide therapeutic counseling to a patient/client/student and/or the patient’s/client’s/student’s family; (J) Perform any procedure for which the assistant is not qualified to perform, or has not been adequately trained to perform, or both; (K) Disclose clinical or educational confidential information either orally or in writing to anyone not designated by the supervising speech-language pathologist; (L) Present written reports to anyone other than the supervising speech-language pathologist, without the supervisor’s signature and approval; (M) Sign any formal documents without review, authorization, and/or co-signature of the supervising speech-language pathologist; (N) Use any title other than speech-language pathology assistant. AUTHORITY: sections 345.015 and 345.030, RSMo Supp. 2011.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 150-4.203. Original rule filed July 31, 2000, effective Feb. 28, 2001. Moved to 20 CSR 2150-4.203, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed Jan. 3, 2012, effective Aug. 30, 2012. *Original authority: 345.015, RSMo 1973, amended 1986, 1995, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 345.030, RSMo 1973, amended 1981, 1995, 1998, 2007.