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Speech-Language Pathology Assistant's Role in Routine Feeding Activities

The Board has received a number of inquiries from licensees and employers of speech and language personnel regarding the issue of whether speech-language pathology assistants are authorized to engage in routine feeding activities with patients who suffer from swallowing disorders. At a Board meeting held in September 2004, the Board discussed the issue and considered both the existing regulations governing the duties and responsibilities of SLPAs, and the degree of risk involved with routine feeding duties.

Although, California Code of Regulations, Section 1399. 170.3 (h) defines duties that are outside the scope of responsibility of a speech-language pathology assistant and sets aside those duties that require a high level of technical skill or clinical acumen, including "swallow therapy with bolus material," this section refers to diagnostic procedures or a formal evaluations, not a routine tasks such as a prescribed feeding activities.

Professional Board members and public attendees reported that in hospitals and other clinical facilities a number of individuals may become involved with assisting patients, who suffer from swallowing difficulties, with food intake, including, non-licensed personnel such as family members or caregivers, and other certified personnel such as nurses assistants. As such, the Board determined that routine feeding is a form of patient management that can safely be administered by a number of people, including speech-language pathology assistants.