Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-740.8

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 10, November 13, 2024

Rule 481-740.8 - Use of assistants

A licensee will, in the delivery of professional services, utilize assistants only to the extent provided in these rules. Such assistants will use the title provided by these rules.

(1)Duties.

a.Speech pathology assistant I. A speech pathology assistant I works with an individual for whom significant improvement is expected within a reasonable amount of time.

b.Speech pathology assistant II. A speech pathology assistant II works with an individual for whom maintenance of present level of communication is the goal; or for whom, based on the history and diagnosis, only slow improvement is expected.

c.Audiology assistant I. An audiology assistant I is more broadly trained and may be given a variety of duties depending upon the individual's training.

d.Audiology assistant II. An audiology assistant II is trained specifically for a single task for screening.

(2)Minimum requirements.

a. A speech pathology assistant I or II or audiology assistant I will satisfy the following minimum requirements:

(1) Reach the age of majority;

(2) Complete a high school education, or its equivalent; and

(3) Complete one of the following:

1. A three-semester-hour (or four-quarter-hour) course in introductory speech and language pathology for speech pathology assistants or in audiology for audiology assistants from an accredited educational institution and 15 hours of instruction in the specific tasks that the assistant will be performing; or

2. A minimum training period comprised of 75 clock hours on instruction and practicum experience.

b. An audiology assistant II will satisfy the following requirements:

(1) Reach the age of majority.

(2) Complete a high school education, or its equivalent.

(3) Complete a minimum of 15 clock hours of instruction and practicum experience in the specific task that the assistant will be performing.

(3)Utilization. Utilization of a speech pathology or audiology assistant requires that a plan be developed by the licensee desiring to utilize that assistant, consisting of the following information:

a. Documentation that the assistant meets minimum requirements;

b. A written plan of the activities and supervision that will be kept by the licensee supervising the assistant. This supervision will include direct on-site observation for a minimum of 20 percent of the assistant's direct patient care for level I speech pathology and level I audiology assistants and 10 percent for level II speech pathology assistants. Level II audiology assistants will be supervised 10 percent of the time. At least half of that time will be direct on-site observation with the other portion provided as time interpreting results;

c. A listing of the facilities where the assistant will be utilized; and

d. A statement, signed by the licensee and the assistant, acknowledging the licensee and the assistant have read the rules pertaining to assistants.

(4)Maximum number of assistants. A licensee may not utilize more than three assistants unless a plan of supervision is filed and approved by the board.

(5)Supervisor responsibilities. A licensee who utilizes an assistant will have the following responsibilities:

a. To be legally responsible for the actions of the assistant in assigned duties with a client;

b. To make all professional decisions relating to the management of a client;

c. To ensure that the assistant is assigned only those duties and responsibilities for which the assistant has been specifically trained and is qualified to perform;

d. To ensure compliance of the assistant(s) under supervision with the provisions of these rules by providing direct observation and supervision of the activities of the assistant; and

e. To submit to the board of speech pathology and audiology upon request a copy of the plan of activities and supervision for each assistant and documentation of the dates each assistant was utilized by the licensee.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-740.8

ARC 7825C, IAB 4/17/2024, effective 5/22/2024; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 9/18/2024