64B20-4.004. Supervision of Speech-Language Pathology Assistants and Audiology Assistants

(1) A licensee shall supervise and be responsible for all client services provided by an assistant.

(2) Any licensee who employs a speech-language pathology assistant or audiology assistant shall shall notify the Department of all new assistants or other changes in assistants under the licensee’s supervision by submitting Form 1269, entitled “Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Assistant Activity and Supervisory Plan” set forth in Rule 64B20-4.003, F.A.C., and the licensee also shall:

(a) Ensure that the assistant is not responsible for making decisions regarding the diagnosis, management and future disposition of clients.

(b) Ensure that the assistant is assigned only to those duties for which the assistant has been specifically trained and is authorized to perform under Chapter 468, Part I, F.S., and rule Division 64B20, F.A.C.

(c) Maintain contact with each client during the course of clinical management.

(d) Conduct performance reviews on the assistant on a quarterly basis during the first year of employment, on an annual basis thereafter, and on termination. Such reviews shall document direct observation of the role and of the task experience of the assistant. These reviews shall be signed by the supervisor and the assistant. These reviews shall be retained for four (4) years by the licensee and submitted to the Board upon request. Performance reviews shall be submitted to the Board office on Form SPA3-D, entitled “Evaluation Report for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Assistants,” effective 9-8-94, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of the form are available from the Board office, located at Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C-06, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3256.

(e) Reassess and redesign programs when either the task or the environment changes significantly.

(f) Discontinue clinical services provided by the assistant should conditions arise in which any of the above cannot be adhered to.

(3) Assistants must be under the direct supervision of a licensee who has met all the requirements of Section 468.1185, F.S. Direct supervision requires the physical presence of the licensee in the same facility when the assistant is carrying out assigned responsibilities, unless acting pursuant to Board of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology approved protocols as established in Rule 64B20-4.0045 or 64B20-4.0046, F.A.C., in order for the licensee to be available for consultation and direction The supervising licensee shall make provisions for emergency situations including the designation of another licensee who has agreed to be available to provide direct supervision to the assistant when the supervising licensee is not available. In the event that a supervising licensee is not on the premises, the assistant may only perform duties not involving direct client contact unless acting pursuant to Board of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology approved protocols as established in Rule 64B20-4.0045 or 64B20-4.0046, F.A.C.

(4) The maximum number of assistants supervised by one licensee shall not exceed two (2) full-time or three (3) part-time assistants.

(5) In the event that multiple licensees are employed by a business entity, an assistant may be supervised by more than one licensee, but no more than three licensees, when the following conditions are met:

(a) The assistant has been continuously employed for more than twelve (12) months;

(b) The assistant has been in that employment setting for more than 30 days;

(c) Each individual licensee takes responsibility for training, planning, and supervising the assistant or assistants for those clients for whom they have direct responsibility; and,

(d) One primary supervisor shall be designated to be responsible for conducting performance reviews and notifying the Department of any changes in the supervisory plan or roster.

Rulemaking Authority 468.1125(3), (9), 468.1135(4) FS. Law Implemented 468.1125(3), (4), (9) FS. History–New 3-14-91, Amended 11-3-92, 2-4-93, Formerly 21LL-4.004, 61F14-4.004, Amended 9-8-94, 8-17-95, 5-22-96, Formerly 59BB-4.004, Amended 9-9-13, 3-18-20, 3-15-21.