OAR 335-095-0050: Requirements for Supervising Licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistants

(1) The amount and type of supervision required will be based on the skills and experience of the speech-language pathology assistant. Speech-language pathologists and speech-language pathology assistants are equally responsible for developing a collaborative plan for supervision. The speech-language pathologist is ultimately responsible for the implementation of appropriate and adequate supervision, but the speech-language pathology assistant also has the responsibility to seek and obtain the appropriate supervision to ensure safe and effective speech and language therapy service delivery. (a) A minimum of one hour per month of consultative supervision time must be documented per each speech-language pathology assistant. (b) Every 60 days the speech-language pathologist must treat, or co-treat with the SLPA, every patient/client/student on the SLP’s caseload. (c) The supervising speech-language pathologist must be able to be reached throughout the work day. A temporary supervisor may be designated as necessary. (d) If the supervising speech-language pathologist is on extended leave, an interim supervising speech-language pathologist who meets the requirements stated in 335-095-0040 must be assigned. (e) The caseload belongs to the supervising speech-language pathologist who retains full legal and ethical responsibility for the individuals on the caseload. Speech-language pathology assistants may not have a caseload; and may not provide services to students/clients/patients of non-supervising speech-language pathologists. The supervising speech-language pathologist is responsible to make all diagnostic and treatment related decisions for all clients on the caseload, and to supervise any speech-language pathology assistants assigned to assist with that caseload. (2) The supervising speech-language pathologist may not supervise more than the equivalent of two full-time speech-language pathology assistants. (3) The supervising speech-language pathologist must co-sign each page of records. (4) Supervision of speech-language pathology assistants must be documented. The supervising speech-language pathologist will document an annual supervision plan for each speech-language pathology assistant supervised. The supervision plan must include the following elements: date, discussion of speech-language pathology assistant’s competencies, and the plan for direct and consultative supervision. The supervising speech-language pathologist and the speech-language pathology assistant will both sign the supervision plan annually. The supervision plan must be completed within two weeks of beginning supervision of a speech-language pathology assistant. The supervision plan may be amended as needed by the speech-language pathologist and the speech-language pathology assistant and must be kept on file with all associated documents at the site. (a) Consultative documentation must include the following elements: date, focus of discussion, areas where the SLPA is doing well, areas where the SLPA needs support, specific student/client/patient discussion, data review and treatment planning, and direct or consultative supervision hours. Clinical logs documenting supervision must be completed and supervision hours calculated every 60 days. Each entry should be initialed by the supervising speech-language pathologist. Each page of documentation should include the supervising speech-language pathologist’s signature and license numbers issued by this Board and the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission if applicable. Supervision documentation must be retained by the both the supervising speech-language pathologist and the speech-language pathology assistant for four (4) years. (b) Documentation must be available for audit requests from the Board. (5) A speech-language pathologist who employs or otherwise uses the services of a speech-language pathology assistant shall: (a) Ensure that persons who receive services from a speech-language pathology assistant receive prior written notification that services are to be provided by a speech-language pathology assistant and that it is documented in the student/client/patient record; (b) Verify that the speech-language assistant is certified with the Board under ORS 681.360. (6) A speech-language pathology assistant who does not receive adequate supervision as required by this section for two consecutive months shall immediately (within 10 days) file a report with the Board explaining the lack of supervision. (7) In remote geographic areas of the state or in other situations with severe shortages of licensed personnel, where Direct Supervision requirements cannot be met by an on-site Speech-Language Pathologist, educational facilities may apply for a one year exemption from certain requirements for supervision of certified Speech-Language Pathology Assistants. (a) This exemption allows educational facilities to use the review and evaluation of audio- or video-taped records or live audio- or video-conferencing of clinical interactions, or a combination thereof, to provide a portion of the required Direct Supervision hours, up to a maximum of 75% of the required Direct Supervision hours. (b) During the exemption period, a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist may supervise up to four full-time equivalent certified Speech-Language Pathology Assistants. (c) This exemption will expire on July 31st of the year in which it is granted. An exemption shall only be granted for a maximum of two years out of each consecutive five year period.