California Code of Regulations
Title 16 - Professional and Vocational Regulations
Division 13.4 - Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board of the Department of Consumer Affairs
Article 12 - Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
Section 1399.170 - Definitions

(a) "Accountability" means being legally responsible and answerable for actions and inactions of self or others during the performance of a task by the speech-language pathology assistant.

(b) "Client" shall have the same meaning and effect as the term "patient" and "student," when referring to services provided in a school setting, for purposes of interpreting the provisions in this Article.

(c) "Direct supervision" means on-site observation and guidance by the supervising speech-language pathologist while a clinical activity is performed by the speech-language pathology assistant. Direct supervision performed by the supervising speech-language pathologist may include, but is not limited to, the following: observation of a portion of the screening or treatment procedures performed by the speech-language pathology assistant, coaching the speech-language pathology assistant, and modeling for the assistant.

(d) "Immediate supervision" means the supervising speech-language pathologist is physically present during services provided to the client by the speech-language pathology assistant.

(e) "Indirect supervision" means the supervising speech-language pathologist is not at the same facility or in close proximity to the speech-language pathology assistant, but is available to provide supervision by electronic means. Indirect supervision activities performed by the supervising speech-language pathologist may include, but are not limited to, demonstration, record review, review and evaluation of audio or videotaped sessions, interactive television, and supervisory conferences that may be conducted by telephone or electronic mail.

(f) "Medically fragile" is the term used to describe a client that is acutely ill and in an unstable condition and if treated by a speech-language pathology assistant, immediate supervision by a speech-language pathologist is required.

(g) "Screening" is a pass-fail procedure to identify, without interpretation, clients who may require further assessment following specified screening protocols developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.

(h) "Supervision" for the purposes of this article, means the provision of direction and evaluation of the tasks assigned to a speech-language pathology assistant. Methods for providing supervision include direct supervision, immediate supervision, and indirect supervision.

(i) "Support personnel" means individuals who, following academic and/or on-the-job training, perform tasks as prescribed, directed and supervised by a speech-language pathologist. There are different levels of support personnel based on training and scope of responsibilities.