02-643 C.M.R. ch. 9, § 6 - Exclusive Responsibilities of the Speech-Language Pathologist

1. Documenting the pre-service training, competencies and credentials of the Assistant.

2. Informing patients/clients and families about the level (professional vs. support personnel), frequency, and duration of services as well as supervision.

3. Representing the speech-language pathology team in all collaborative, interprofessional, interagency meetings, correspondence and reports. This would not preclude the Assistant from attending meetings along with the speech-language pathologist as a team member or drafting correspondence and reports for editing, approval and signature by the speech-language pathologist.

4. Making all clinical decisions, including determining patient/client selection for inclusion/exclusion in the caseload and dismissing patients/clients from treatment.

5. Communicating with patients/ clients, parents and family members about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan.

6. Conducting diagnostic evaluations, assessments or appraisals, and interpreting obtained data in reports.

7. Reviewing each treatment plan with the assistant at least weekly.

8. Delegating specific tasks to the assistant while retaining legal and ethical responsibility for all patient/client services provided or omitted.

9. Preparing an individualized treatment plan and making modifications prior to, or during, implementation.

10. Discussing the case with, or referring the patient/client to, other professionals.

11. Signing all formal documents (e.g. treatment plans, reimbursement forms, reports). The supervisor should indicate on the documents that the assistant performed certain activities.

12. Reviewing and signing all informal progress notes prepared by the assistant.

13. Providing ongoing training to the assistant on the job.

14. Ensuring that the assistant only performs tasks within the scope of responsibility of the speech-language pathology assistant.

Notes

02-643 C.M.R. ch. 9, § 6