1229201 To establish regulations for the registration of clinical fellows in audiology and speech-language pathology.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
The Director of the Department of Health, pursuant to the authority set forth in section 302(14) of the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 15, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-1203.02(14)); the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 4, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-219; D.C. Official Code § 3-1201.02(2B)(A)(2007 Repl.); and Mayor’s Order 98-140, dated August 20, 1998, hereby gives notice of his intent to take action to adopt the following amendments to Title 17,” Business, Occupations, and Professions,” of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations in not less than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.
This rulemaking will establish regulations for the registration of clinical fellows in audiology and speech-language pathology. Registration will ensure that persons who are practicing as clinical fellows in audiology or speech-language pathology in the District of Columbia are properly qualified and supervised.
Title 17, BUSINESS, OCCUPATIONS, AND PROFESSIONS, of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations is amended by adding a new Chapter 84 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 84 REGISTRATION FOR CLINICAL FELLOWS IN AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
8400 QUALIFICATIONS FOR PRE-LICENSURE PRACTICE
8401 SUPERVISION
8402 RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERVISOR
8403 LIABILITY OF SUPERVISOR
8404 PRACTICE AS CLINICAL FELLOW
8499 DEFINITIONS
8400 QUALIFICATIONS FOR PRE-LICENSURE PRACTICE
8400.1 A person who has a Master’s or Doctoral degree in audiology from an educational institution whose audiology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education, or an equivalent accrediting body as determined by the Board, may provide audiology services as a clinical fellow pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.
8400.2 A person who has a Master’s or Doctoral degree in speech-language pathology from an educational institution whose speech language pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education, or an equivalent accrediting body as determined by the Board, may provide speech-language pathology services as a clinical fellow pursuant to the requirements of this chapter.
8401.1 A clinical fellow in audiology shall be supervised by a licensed audiologist who meets the requirements of 17 DCMR § 7803.7. A clinical fellow in speech-language pathology shall be supervised by a licensed speech-language pathologist who meets the requirements of 17 DCMR § 7903.8.
8401.2 A clinical fellow in audiology may participate in patient care activities under the general supervision of an audiologist who is licensed in the District.
8401.3 A clinical fellow in speech-language pathology may participate in patient care activities under the general supervision of a speech-language pathologist who is licensed in the District.
8402 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPERVISOR
8402.1 A licensed audiologist or speech-language pathologist serving as a supervisor for a clinical fellow shall forward to the Board a completed Clinical Fellowship Enrollment Form and the required enrollment fee prior to the commencement of the clinical fellowship.
8402.2 The supervisor shall inform the Board in writing if the clinical fellow leaves the fellowship prior to completing training, specifying the reason for leaving. Notification shall be provided to the Board no later than ten (10) business days after the date the fellow leaves.
8402.3 The supervisor shall notify the Board in writing if the clinical fellow changes supervisors, and shall specify the reason therefor. Notification shall be provided to the Board no later than ten (10) business days after the change.
8403 LIABILITY OF SUPERVISOR
8403.1 A supervisor shall be responsible for each patient the clinical fellow evaluates and treats during the period of supervision and shall be subject to disciplinary action for a violation of federal or District law or regulation by the fellow.
8404 PRACTICE AS CLINICAL FELLOW
8404.1 A clinical fellow in audiology or speech-language pathology may practice pursuant to this section for a maximum of eighteen (18) months, unless the Board extends the period for good cause shown. After such time, a clinical fellow must obtain a license as an audiologist or speech- language pathologist in order to continue to practice.
8404.2 A clinical fellow in audiology or speech-language pathology shall identify himself or herself as such at all times when providing audiology or speech- language pathology services.
Act – the Health Occupations Revisions Act, effective March 15, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-1203.02(14))(2007 Repl.);
Board – the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
Clinical fellow – a person who is completing the clinical fellowship requirements set forth under 17 DCMR § 7803 or 17 DCMR § 7903.
General supervision – supervision in which the supervisor is available to the person supervised, either in person or by a communications device.
All persons desiring to comment on the subject of this proposed rulemaking should file comments in writing not later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice in the D.C. Register. Comments should be sent to the Department of Health, Office of the General Counsel, 899 North Capitol Street, N.E., 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20002. Copies of the proposed rules may be obtained from the Department at the same address during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
