Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Speech-language pathology assistants are support personnel who, following academic and/or on-the-job training, perform tasks prescribed, directed, and supervised by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a speech-language pathology assistant may conduct the following tasks under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist:

• Assist speech-language and hearing screenings (without interpretation)
• Assist with informal documentation as directed by the speech-language pathologist
• Follow documented treatment plans or protocols developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist
• Document patient/client performance (e.g., tallying data for the speech-language pathologist to use; preparing charts, records, and graphs) and report this information to the supervision speech-language pathologist
• Assist the speech-language pathologist during assessment of patients/clients
• Assist with clerical duties such as preparing materials and scheduling activities as directed by the speech-language pathologist
• Perform checks and maintenance of equipment
• Support the supervising speech-language pathologist in research projects, in-service training, and public relations programs
• Assist with departmental operations (scheduling, record keeping, safety/maintenance of supplies and equipment)
• Collect data for monitoring quality improvement
• Exhibit compliance with regulations, reimbursement requirements, and speech-language pathology assistant’s job responsibilities