As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) âBoardâ means the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. (b) âPersonâ means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other organization or combination thereof, except that only individuals can be licensed under this chapter. (c) A âspeech-language pathologistâ is a person who practices speech-language pathology. (d) The practice of speech-language pathology means all of the following: (1) The application of principles, methods, instrumental procedures, and noninstrumental procedures for measurement, testing, screening, evaluation, identification, prediction, and counseling related to the development and disorders of speech, voice, language, or swallowing. (2) The application of principles and methods for preventing, planning, directing, conducting, and supervising programs for habilitating, rehabilitating, ameliorating, managing, or modifying disorders of speech, voice, language, or swallowing in individuals or groups of individuals. (3) Conducting hearing screenings. (4) Performing suctioning in connection with the scope of practice described in paragraphs (1) and (2), after compliance with a medical facilityâs training protocols on suctioning procedures. (e) (1) Instrumental procedures referred to in subdivision (d) are the use of rigid and flexible endoscopes to observe the pharyngeal and laryngeal areas of the throat in order to observe, collect data, and measure the parameters of communication and swallowing as well as to guide communication and swallowing assessment and therapy. Passage of these instruments without the presence of a physician and surgeon is subject to paragraph (2). (2) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as a diagnosis. Any observation of an abnormality shall be referred to a physician and surgeon. (f) (1) A licensed speech-language pathologist shall not perform a flexible fiber optic transnasal endoscopic procedure unless they have received written verification from one otolaryngologist certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology â Head and Neck Surgery that the speech-language pathologist has performed a minimum of 25 supervised flexible fiber optic transnasal endoscopic procedures and they are competent to perform these procedures. Of these 25 procedures, the first 10 procedures shall be supervised by a licensed physician and surgeon who performs nasal endoscopy as part of their practice and the subsequent 15 procedures shall be supervised by either a licensed physician and surgeon who performs nasal endoscopy as part of their practice or by another licensed speech-language pathologist who is verified as competent in performing flexible fiber optic transnasal endoscopic procedures. The speech-language pathologist shall have this written verification on file and readily available for inspection upon request by the board. A speech-language pathologist with a verification on file shall pass a flexible fiber optic transnasal endoscopic instrument only upon the orders of a licensed physician and surgeon. The order by a physician and surgeon is deemed to allow a speech-language pathologist with verification, in accordance with this paragraph, to perform fiber optic transnasal endoscopic procedures at a location based on the patientâs medical needs that complies with procedures specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (g). (2) A licensed speech-language pathologist who holds a written verification pursuant to this subdivision that was issued before January 1, 2023, shall be deemed to meet the requirements described in paragraph (1). (g) (1) A licensed speech-language pathologist shall only perform flexible endoscopic procedures described in subdivision (e) in the following settings that requires the facility to have protocols for emergency medical backup procedures, including a physician and surgeon or other appropriate medical professional
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