Nuts & Bolts of SLPA Training,
Use, and Licensure
Ashley Northam, M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Director, SLPA Program, Chemeketa Community College
Chair, Oregon Board for Speech Pathology and Audiology
COSA Conference
Eugene, Oregon
October 1, 2009
Objectives
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Overview of the SLPA Program at
Chemeketa CC
Review Licensure requirements and
regulations for SLPAs
Review Supervision requirements
according to the OARs
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Models/ staffing ideas for SLPAs
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Q/A , Scenarios
SLPA Program Components
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45 credit program consisting of coursework
in technical speech language pathology
topics
Includes 2 terms of off site practicum with
collection of a minimum of 100 clinical
interaction hours
ALL coursework is ONLINE
Coursework
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ED 169: Overview of Students with Special Needs
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ED 229: Learning and Development
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ED 130: Classroom/Group Management
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SLP 180: Survey of Speech and Language Disorders
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ED 258: Multicultural Education
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SLP 181: Phonetics
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SLP 182: Intervention Strategies for SLPAs
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SLP 183: Introduction to Language Development
Coursework.
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SLP 184: Language Therapy
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SLP 185: Anatomy and Physiology of Speech/Hearing
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SLP 186: Speech Intervention for Children and Adults
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SLP 187: Clinical Documentation and Materials
Management
SLP 188: Communication Disorders in Low Incidence
Populations
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SLP 189: SLPA Practicum I
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SLP 190: SLPA Practicum II
Practicum Requirements
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Student SLPA is placed under the direct supervision
of an SLP who holds a current Oregon Board of
Examiners for SLP/Aud license or permit
SLP Supervisor must have a minimum of 2 years of
professional experience before supervising an SLPA
or student. ( no CFY SLP)
A minimum of 100 clinical interaction hours are
needed between 2 terms ( approximately a 20 week
period)
Practicum Requirements
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Supervision is 100% direct- SLP must be on-site and
within sight/sound during practicum
Hours are collected during “clinical interaction
activities” = Hands On Therapy Activities
Student SLPA can work independent of SLP- can be
running separate treatment groups or working nearby
Student to gain gradual independence through SLP
modeling working towards running their own
treatment groups within practicum time frame
including materials prep and taking data.
Competencies
Chemeketa Community College:
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Student will be able to work independently
by following a treatment plan developed by
supervising SLP to provide treatment to a
small group or individual child.
Student will be able to take appropriate
data as directed by the SLP to report
progress.
Initial Licensure Requirements
for SLPAs
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Completion of 45 credits of SLPA technical
coursework with a grade of “C” or better
(* coursework must be current- completed
within last 7 years approx)
Completion of 45 credits of General
Education coursework ( in academic
areas)- no time frame for completion
100 hours of documented clinical
interaction hours ( practicum)
Initial Licensure Requirements
for SLPAs
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100 hours of documented clinical
interaction hours ( practicum)
SLP Supervisor will complete the Oregon
Board's SLPA Competency Checklist for
the practicum student to submit with their
application ( verification of on site
competency skills)
http://www.oregon.gov/BSPA/index.shtml
Scope of Practice for SLPA
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In order to practice in the state of Oregon, a
person performing the functions and duties
of an SLPA must be licensed by the Oregon
Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology
and Audiology (BSPA)
Scope of Practice for SLPAs
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Provide Direct Treatment to students in
various settings under the supervising SLP
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Take Data
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Do Screenings (w/o interpretation)
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Design materials for treatment
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Prepare lesson plan activities following the
treatment plan (IEP) and with supervision
Act as interpreters during assessments
SLPAs may NOT perform the
following functions:
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May not perform assessments, evaluations
of any kind
May not participate in IEP meetings w/o the
presence of the supervising SLP
May not create, modify or change a
student's IEP independently
May not sign any formal documents ( IEPs,
eligibility statements)
SLPAs may NOT perform the
following functions:
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May not select or discharge clients for
services
May not make referrals for services
May not communicate with families,
teachers etc without specific consent of the
SLP
May not represent themselves as an SLP
May not write formal screening or
diagnostic reports
Scope of Practice for EA/IA
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Non-instructional activities such as
materials preparation
Clerical duties such as scheduling
appointments, meetings
May not perform screenings or perform
treatment activities ( maintenance and
carry over practice is OK)
May not collect data for the SLP in any
setting
Supervision Requirements
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Supervising SLP must have 2 years of
experience ( CFY year + 1 additional year
of FT practice)
Supervising SLP must have a current
license or permit with BSPA
An SLP can supervise no more than the
equivalent of 2 FT SLPAs
Supervision Requirements
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Supervising SLP is required to provide a portion
of DIRECT and INDIRECT supervision to the
SLPA
DIRECT: On Site, within sight and/or sound or
via live videoconference while SLPA performs
clinical interaction (treatment)
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INDIRECT: Activities other than direct
supervision/ observation- lesson planning,
consultation, record review, data review.May be
done via email or phone if appropriate
Supervision cont'd...
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For the first 90 days of employment with a
given employer, 30% of the time the SLPA
is providing clinical interaction must be
supervised ( 20% of that in Direct
Supervision, 10% Indirect Supervision)
Subsequently, an SLPA must be supervised
a total of 20% of the time spent providing
clinical interaction. ( 10% of that time is
Direct Supervision, 10% Indirect)
Supervision cont'd...
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SLP is responsible for ALL students on the
caseload- SLPAs DO NOT have caseloads
SLP must see all students at least every 60
days
Supervision requirements can be met
through electronic means ( email,
videoconference)
SLP's caseload must accommodate time to
meet with the SLPAs and meet the
supervision requirements
What does Best Practice look
like?
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SLPAs can work independently at a site
other than that SLP as long as supervision
requirements are met
SLPs must see all students on a regular
basis to make informed decisions on
treatment, planning etc.
Supervision hour totalsmay be easier to
figure out on a monthly basis
Ideas for maximizing SLPAs
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Swap schedules by rotating every week,
month etc
Use videoconference to view sessions (
live)
Multi-task while the SLPA is in the room
providing treatment
SLPAs can do observation in classrooms,
etc
Creative Ways to appropriately
use SLPAs
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Some SLPAs can specialize in making AAC
materials
Serving more severe population
classrooms
Serving other schools than SLP (* with
supervision requirements met)
Distance Service- Utilizing SLP off site to
provide supervision and needed caseload
management
Future Staffing projections for
SLP/SLPA
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Median age of a practicing SLP is 45 years
of age
Graduate programs will not be able to keep
up with the 11-26% job growth rate through
2016 ( Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008
statistics)
Future Staffing projections for
SLP/SLPA
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Factors:
(a) Increase in baby boomer generationwhich will require more neurological care
related to communication services
(b)Medical Advances have allowed babies
to live, however, many may have multiple
complications
(c )Rise in Autism, as well as an increased
awareness for early identification of all
communication related development
Partnerships
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Dept of Education is starting a new cohort
Winter 2010 (packets available now) for
district sponsored SLPA students
ESD collaborative partnerships for training
Resources
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Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech
Pathology and Audiology
* for OARs
- http://www.oregon.gov/BSPA/index.shtml
(click on Rules/Statutes)
(click on Chapter 335 OARs)
(click on Division 95 for SLPAs)
Resources
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Chemeketa Community College
SLPA Program
http://speechpathology.chemeketa.edu
American Speech-Language Hearing
Association http://www.asha.org