Observation and Fieldwork Requirements
Observation Requirements
24 hours of observation of practices and procedures used in speech-language pathology are required. Observation sites will be both educational and medical. Observation requirements are fulfilled by the completion of Speech Language Pathology Assisting (SLPA) 150, Clinical Observation, .5 unit.
Clinical Fieldwork Requirements
The clinical fieldwork assignments consists of two semesters:
First Semester: 6 hours per week in an educational setting plus 4 hours arranged. Speech Language Pathology Assisting 190, Clinical Fieldwork I, 2 units.
Second Semester: 6 hours per week in a medical/clinical setting plus 4 hours arranged. Speech Language Pathology Assisting 250, Clinical Fieldwork II, 2 units.
Students receive credit for all tasks associated with assisting a certified, credentialed and/or licensed speech-language pathologist. The fieldwork experiences are not intended to develop independent practice. Though the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program has been designed to be a late afternoon-evening program to accommodate the large number of students who are working, the two fieldwork courses require time within a regular working day. Within the Educational setting the work day will be between 7:00am to 3:00pm and in a clinical/medical setting the work day will be between 8:00 and 5:00pm.
Working students need to be aware that they will need to have flexibility in their work schedules to meet the fieldwork site requirements which may vary from one day a week, two mornings or afternoons, etc...and should begin arranging schedules well in advance of taking the fieldwork course.
Fieldwork Placement
Students will have an opportunity to request fieldwork site placements based on their areas of interest, strengths and goals for employment, however, please be advsied that there is no guarantee that their request can be accomodated.
Objectives for Fieldwork Experience. Objectives for student learning:
I. Written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
A. To use appropriate forms of polite and professional communication with client, staff,
family and caregivers.
B. To restate information/concerns expressed by the client, family, and caregivers as
appropriate.
C. To act with courtesy and respect in various communication situations, including
telephone, face-to-face interactions, e-mail.
D. To use language appropriate to a person's developmental age, educational level,
communication style, and communication disorder.
E. To greet family and client and identify self as a speech-language pathology assistant.
F. To respond appropriately to client, family, and caregiver emotional states/
behaviors.
II. Understanding critical supervision issues
A. Implement treatment protocols only after appropriate training, and only as
prescribed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
B. Use screening instruments only after training, and only as prescribed by the speech-
language pathologist.
III. Administration of screening assessments and observational checklists with assigned students
or pediatric clients as directed by speech-language pathologist.
A. Complete screening protocols accurately.
B. Score screening instruments accurately.
C. Communicate screening results and all supplemental information to supervisor.
IV. Performance of individual and group treatment activities as prescribed by the supervising speech-
language pathologist.
A. Demonstrates knowledge of treatment objectives and plans.
1. Demonstrates understanding of patient/client disorder and needs.
2. Identify correct versus incorrect responses.
3. Describe behaviors demonstrating a knowledge of the patient's/client's overall level
of progress.
4. Verbally report and provide appropriate documentation of assigned activities.
B. Provide appropriate stimuli to elicit target behaviors as prescribed by the supervising
speech- language pathologist.
C. Provide instructions that are clear, concise and appropriate to the client's
developmental age, level of understanding, language use, and communication
style.
D. Follow treatment protocol as developed and prescribed by the supervising speech-
language pathologist.
E. Provide accurate feedback based on the correctness of the client's response consistent
with the treatment protocol prescribed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
F. Identify and describe clinically relevant patient, family and caregiver behaviors to the
supervising speech-language pathologist.
G. Maintain on-task or redirect off-task behavior of clients in individual or group treatment
consistent with the client's developmental age, communication style, and disorder as
prescribed by the speech-language pathologist.
H. Provide appropriate behavioral reinforcement consistent with the client's
developmental age, culture, and communication disorder as prescribed by the
speech-language pathologist.
I. Implement treatment goals and objectives in the sequence specified in the treatment protocol by the speech-language pathologist.
J. At the beginning of treatment, accurately explain to the client the treatment tasks in
the treatment protocol as prescribed by the speech-language pathologist.
K. At the end of sessions, accurately review and summarize client performance
according to the protocol prescribed by the speech-language pathologist.
L. Prepare treatment materials before the beginning of treatment sessions as directed by
the speech-language pathologist.
M. Prepare age-appropriate and culturally sensitive treatment materials appropriate to the
client's developmental age and communication disorder as prescribed by the speech-language pathologist.
N. Start and end the treatment session on time.
O. Set up and operate clinical equipment as prescribed by the speech-language
pathologist, such as assistive listening devices, augmentative and alternative
communication devices, and computers with specific communication software.
P. Design and prepare charts, records and graphs.
Maintain Clinical Documentation
A. Sign documents to be reviewed and co-signed by the supervisor.
B. Prepare and maintain client charts and records in manner prescribed by the speech-
language pathologist.
C. Administer client satisfaction measures as directed by the supervising speech
language pathologist.
D. Accurately record target behaviors as prescribed by the supervising speech-
language pathologist.
Compute Clinical Data
A. Accurately calculate chronological age of the client from clinical records or based
on client/caregiver report.
B. Correctly calculate percentages, frequencies and ranges.
C. Correctly determine percentiles and standard scores form test manuals as prescribed
by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
D. Correctly record target behaviors as prescribed by the supervising speech-language
pathologist.
Uphold Ethical Behavior and Maintain Confidentiality
A. Identify self as an assistant and in all written and oral communication with client,
family, caregivers, and staff.
B. Maintain client records in a secure manner at all times as prescribed by
the supervising speech-language pathologist.
C. Discuss confidential client information only at the direction of the
supervising speech-language pathologist.
D. Demonstrate ability to explain to the supervising speech-language pathologist
the scope of information that should be discussed with the client, family, caregivers,
and professionals.
E. Maintain accurate records representing assigned work time with clients.
Oral and Written Communication
A. Use professional terminology correctly in communication with the supervising speech-
language pathologist.
B. Maintain legible records, log notes, and written communication in manner
prescribed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
Follow Health and Safety Precautions
A. Implement appropriate infection control procedures and universal precautions consistent
with the employer's standards and guidelines.
B. Implement injury prevention strategies consistent with the employer's standards
and guidelines and state regulations.