D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-10207

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 17-10207 - SUPERVISION OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANTS

10207.1

The speech-language pathologist supervising a speech- language pathology assistant shall retain full professional and ethical responsibility for the professional conduct and performance of the speech- language pathology assistant and shall delegate duties only as consistent with the training, experience, and ability of the speech- language pathology assistant.

10207.2

A speech-language pathologist supervising a speech- language pathology assistant shall meet the following requirements:

(a) Possess a current and valid license to practice speech- language pathology in the District of Columbia;

(b) Has practiced speech- language pathology in the District or any other jurisdiction of the United States for at least two (2) years; and

(c) Has not been the subject of a formal or public disciplinary action by the Board or any other jurisdiction within the United States within the previous two (2) years.

10207.3

The supervising speech-language pathologist shall provide direct supervision, which shall include:

(a) Assuming responsibility for the supervisee's conduct in the speech-language pathology office or treatment facility;

(b) Personally diagnosing the condition to be treated;

(c) Remaining in the speech- language pathology office or treatment facility while the procedures are being performed by the supervisee; and

(e) [(d)] Personally evaluates the performance of the supervisee before dismissal of the patient.

10207.4

The direct supervision described in § 10207.3 may include the supervisor viewing and communicating with the supervisee via telecommunication technology as the supervisee performs clinical services provided that the supervisor can directly observe and give ongoing, immediate feedback.

10207.5

A supervising speech- language pathologist may supervise no more than the equivalent of two (2) full-time speech- language pathology assistants at any given time.

10207.6

A speech- language pathologist may not supervise more than a total of four (4) individuals, inclusive of speech-language pathology assistant(s), speech- language pathology clinical fellow(s), and speech- language pathology student(s), at any given time regardless of the total number of work hours performed by the supervisees.

10207.7

The supervising speech- language pathologist shall be responsible for designing and implementing a supervisory plan that ensures the highest standard of quality care can be maintained for patients and clients.

10207.8

The supervising speech-language pathologist shall provide supervision consistent with the speech-language pathology assistant's known and documented ability, training, education, and experience; the needs of the patients and clients; the service setting; the tasks assigned; and requirements set forth in this chapter.

10207.9

The supervising speech- language pathologist shall co-sign all documents and therapy notes prepared by the speech- language pathology assistant.

10207.10

A supervising speech-language pathologist who will not be able to supervise a speech-language pathology assistant for more than one (1) week shall:

(a) Inform the speech-language pathology assistant of the planned absence; and

(b) Make other arrangements for the speech- language pathology assistant's supervision of services while the speech- language pathologist is unavailable; or

(c) Inform the patients or clients that services will be rescheduled.

10207.11

A supervising speech- language pathologist shall maintain ongoing written documentation of a systematic method of supervision of speech- language pathology assistants.

10207.12

The supervising speech-language pathologist shall maintain the record of all supervision and supervisory details provided to the speech- language pathology assistant continuously throughout the supervisory relationship. After the termination of the supervisory relationship, all supervision-related records shall be maintained and preserved for a minimum of three (3) years after the last adult patient or client is seen, served, or treated or all minor patients or clients have reached the age of majority, whichever is later.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-10207

Final Rulemaking published at 64 DCR 8280 (8/18/2017)