§ 45.304. Minimum education, experience and training requirements.

 (a)  Prior to the use of an assistant, the licensee shall obtain from the assistant evidence of one of the following:

   (1)  The assistant has completed 30 semester hours or the equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education in the area of speech-language and hearing as outlined in the requirements as specified (nonaudited) for a certificate of clinical competence from the council of professional standards of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association or the Council on Education of the Deaf.

   (2)  The assistant has practiced as an assistant in the area of speech-language and hearing since at least June 8, 1989, under the supervision of an audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing-impaired licensed in this Commonwealth.

   (3)  The assistant has practiced as an assistant in the area of speech-language and hearing since at least June 8, 1989, under the supervision of an audiologist, speech-language pathologist or teacher of the hearing-impaired licensed in another state or the District of Columbia which has requirements for assistants substantially equivalent to the provisions of this subchapter.

 (b)  Prior to assigning a duty to an assistant, a licensee shall perform a task analysis of the expected duties of each assistant the licensee supervises, and shall then train the assistant, with an emphasis on competency-based skill acquisition, in accordance with this analysis. Training may be provided through formal coursework, workshops or directly supervised observation or practicum; training shall encompass all areas of activities which the assistant will perform. An assistant trained in one area (audiology, speech-language pathology, teaching of the hearing-impaired) may not perform duties in another area, unless training in that area has been given. An assistant is not permitted to perform a duty for which, in the opinion of the licensed supervisor, the assistant is neither trained nor qualified. A minimum of 20 hours of practical training for each duty is required.

 (c)  A licensee shall familiarize an assistant with the standards of practice and conduct and the application of these ethics to each assistant’s activities, codified at Subchapter C (relating to standards of practice and conduct).

   This section cited in 49 Pa. Code §  45.302 (relating to required filing); and 49 Pa. Code §  45.306 (relating to supervision and responsibility).