South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 115 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION-BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN SPEECH/LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY
Article 1 - LICENSING PROVISIONS
Section 115-2 - Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024
(A) To be licensed as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant an applicant must:
(B) A bachelor's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from a regionally accredited institution must include as a minimum the following core curriculum of 36 semester hours:
(1) |
Basic Area |
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Anatomy, physiology, mechanics, and function of the ear and vocal mechanism. |
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Semantics |
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Speech and Voice Science |
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Psychology of Speech |
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Introduction to Phonetics |
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(2) |
Speech-Language Pathology Courses |
(12 Semester Hours) |
Stuttering |
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Articulation |
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Voice Disorders |
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Cleft Palate |
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Aphasia |
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Cerebral Palsy |
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Speech-Language Disorders |
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Neurogenics |
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(3) |
Audiology |
(3 Semester Hours) |
Testing of Hearing |
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Introduction to Audiology |
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Auditory Training |
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Speechreading |
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Speech for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing |
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(4) |
Psychology |
(6 Semester Hours) |
Human Growth and Development |
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Psychology of Adjustment or |
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Abnormal Psychology |
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(5) |
Basic Course in Public Speaking |
(3 Semester Hours) |
(C) Supervised Clinical Experience.
(D) General Guidelines.
(E) On-the-Job Training (OJT).
At a minimum, on-the-job training (OJT) must include step-by-step instruction of each and every service or task the speech-language pathology assistant is to perform and continuous visual observation by the supervising speech-language pathologist of the speech-language pathology assistant's performance of each service or task until the supervising speech-language pathologist establishes the speech-language pathology assistant's competence. The supervising speech-language pathologist must maintain a written record of each service or task indicating the activity, date, time, and location of the training demonstration and observations. This record must be signed by both the supervising speech-language pathologist and the speech-language pathology assistant and a copy must be provided to the speech-language pathology assistant. The supervising speech-language pathologist and the speech-language pathology assistant must maintain such records for a period of four (4) years and such records must be made available to the director or the designee upon request.
(F) Supervision - General.
Supervising speech-language pathologists are responsible for all the clinical services provided or omitted by the speech-language pathology assistant(s). When speech-language pathology assistants provide direct services, the supervising speech-language pathologist is responsible for informing, in writing, all the clients (or their legal guardians), referring agencies, and third-party payers. Further, it is the supervisor's responsibility to ensure that the assistant is clearly identified at all times as an assistant by means of a name tag or similar identification. At no time may a speech-language pathology assistant perform tasks when the supervising speech-language pathologist cannot be reached by personal contact, phone, e-mail, pager, or other immediate or electronic means. The supervisor must make provisions, in writing, for emergency situations including designation of another licensed speech-language pathologist who has agreed to be available on an as needed basis to provide supervision and consultation to the assistant when the supervisor is not available. If for any reason (i.e., maternity leave, illness, change of job) a supervisor is not able to provide the level of supervision stipulated, the assistant may not perform client contact tasks.
(G) Direct Supervision.
Following initial OJT, direct supervision of each speech-language pathology assistant must consist of a minimum of one of every seven therapy sessions per patient of direct, visual supervision of client contact to include a sampling of each assigned service or task. This direct supervision must be on-site, in person, and documented in writing. This documentation must be maintained by the supervising speech-language pathologist for a period of four years and must be made available to the director or the designee upon request.
(H) Indirect Supervision.
In addition to direct supervision, indirect supervision is required a minimum of 5% (e.g., 2 hours per 40 hour work week) and must include review of written records and may include demonstrations, review and evaluation of audio- or video- taped sessions, and/or supervisory conferences.
(I) Quarterly Reviews.
In addition to direct and indirect supervision, the supervising speech-language pathologist must conduct quarterly performance reviews of each speech-language pathology assistant's performance of each assigned service or task. Such quarterly reviews must document, on a form approved by the board, direct observation of each task or service assigned to the speech-language pathology assistant. These reviews must be signed by both the supervising speech-language pathologist and the speech-language pathology assistant and must be maintained by the supervising speech-language pathologist for a period of four (4) years and must be made available to the director or the designee upon request.
(J) Scope of Practice.
The supervising speech-language pathologist accepts full and complete responsibility for all services and tasks performed or omitted by the speech-language pathology assistant. Provided that education, training, supervision and documentation are consistent with that defined in this chapter, the following tasks may be designated to the speech-language pathology assistant:
(K) Prohibited Activities.
The speech-language pathology assistant must not: