Licensed as speech language pathologist assistant
Works under the direction of the speech language pathologist
Service Delivery

• Required: Self-identify as SLPAs to families, students, patients, clients, staff, and others. This may be done verbally, in writing, and/or with titles on name badges.
• Required: Exhibit compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations, reimbursement requirements, and SLPAs’ responsibilities.
• Assist the speech-language pathologist with speech, language, and hearing screenings without clinical interpretation.
• Assist the speech-language pathologist during the assessment of students, patients, and clients exclusive of administration and/or interpretation.
• Assist the speech-language pathologist with bilingual translation during screening and assessment activities exclusive of interpretation; refer to Issues in Ethics: Cultural and Linguistic Competence (2017).
• Follow documented treatment plans or protocols developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Provide guidance and treatment via telepractice to students, patients, and clients who the supervising speech-language pathologist selects as appropriate for this service delivery model.
• Document student, patient, and client performance (e.g., tallying data for the speech-language pathologist to use; preparing charts, records, and graphs), and report this information to the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Program and provide instruction in the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices.
• Demonstrate or share information with patients, families, and staff regarding feeding strategies developed and directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Serve as interpreter for patients, clients, students, and families who do not speak English.
• Under the speech-language pathologist’s supervision, provide services in another language for individuals who do not speak English and for English language learners.

Administrative Support

• Assist with clerical duties, such as preparing materials and scheduling activities, as directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Perform equipment checks and maintenance.
• Assist with departmental operations (e.g., scheduling, recordkeeping, safety checks and maintenance of supplies and equipment).

Prevention and Advocacy

• Present primary prevention information to individuals and groups known to be at risk for communication disorders and other appropriate groups; promote early identification and early intervention activities.
• Advocate for individuals and families through community awareness, health literacy, education, and training programs to promote and facilitate access to full participation in communication—including the elimination of societal, cultural, and linguistic barriers.
• Provide information to emergency response agencies for individuals who have communication and/or swallowing disorders.
• Advocate at the local, state, and national levels for improved public policies affecting access to services and research funding.
• Support the supervising speech-language pathologist in research projects, in-service training, public relations programs, and marketing programs.
• Participate actively in professional organizations.