(a) “Accountability” means being legally responsible and answerable for actions and inactions of self or others during the performance of a task by the speech-language pathology assistant.

(b) “Client” shall have the same meaning and effect as the term “patient” and “student,” when referring to services provided in a school or other setting, for purposes of interpreting the provisions in this Article.

(c) “Immediate supervision” means the supervising speech-language pathologist is physically present during services provided to the client by the speech-language pathology assistant.

(d) “Direct supervision” means on-site observation and guidance or synchronous audiovisual observation and guidance by the supervising speech-language pathologist while a clinical activity is performed by the speech-language pathology assistant. Direct supervision performed by the supervising speech-language pathologist may include, but is not limited to, the following: observation of a portion of the screening or treatment procedures performed by the speech-language pathology assistant, coaching the speech-language pathology assistant, and modeling for the assistant.

(e) “Indirect supervision” means the supervising speech-language pathologist is not at the same facility or in close proximity to the speech-language pathology assistant but is available to provide supervision by asynchronous electronic means. Indirect supervision activities performed by the supervising speech-language pathologist may include, but are not limited to, demonstration, record review, review and evaluation of audio or video-taped sessions, interactive television, and supervisory conferences that may be conducted by telephone or electronic mail.

(f) “Medically fragile” is the term used to describe a client that is acutely ill and in an unstable condition and if treated by a speech-language pathology assistant, immediate supervision by a speech-language pathologist is required.

(g) “Screening” is a pass-fail procedure to identify, without interpretation, clients who may require further assessment following specified screening protocols developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.

(h) “Supervision” for the purposes of this article, means the provision of direction and evaluation of the tasks assigned to a speech-language pathology assistant. Methods for providing supervision include immediate supervision, direct supervision, and indirect supervision.

(i) “Support personnel” means individuals who, following academic and/or on-the-job training, perform tasks as prescribed, directed and supervised by a speech-language pathologist. There are different levels of support personnel based on training and scope of responsibilities.

(j) “Full-time equivalent” means at least thirty (30) hours per week.

(k) “Assistant” means a speech-language pathology assistant.