AudiologyOnline Phone: 800-753-2160


Unitron Choice - November 2024

Audiology Assistants and Support Personnel: Allowed Responsibilities

Vic Gladstone, PhD

March 9, 2009

Share:

Question

I am an audiologist in Illinois. It would be helpful if we could have our receptionist perform duties such as fitting swim plugs, perform cleaning of hearing aids as well as tubing changes on hearing aids. From what I have heard as long as the audiologist is willing to let the receptionist perform these tasks under their licensure then it is okay, but I want to be sure before moving forward.

Answer

Thank you for your inquiry. There are several resources that can be of assistance to you before you make a decision to utilize support personnel in your audiology practice.

You should contact the Illinois licensure board (both the audiology and hearing instrument boards, if they are separate licenses in your state) for guidance regarding state regulations related to the use of audiology support personnel;tasks to which they may be assigned;supervision requirements, etc.

The ASHA position statement on audiology assistants has guidance on the use of support personnel and can be accessed at: www.asha.org/docs/html/GLPS1998-00038.html

In addition, you should run the proposal by your malpractice carrier to make sure that you and the practice will be covered under any circumstances that could arise (i.e. - should a problem develop or a client be injured). You and the practice may be subject to an allegation that you are vicariously liable for any problems/consequences associated with the receptionist's support. Be sure to inform the carrier of the specific tasks you assign to the support personnel.

Dr. Vic S. Gladstone is Chief Staff Officer for Audiology at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). As Chief Staff Officer for Audiology, Dr. Gladstone is responsible for not only ASHA's audiology programs and activities but, ASHA's Certification, Academic Accreditation, Ethics, and Academic Affairs areas. ASHA is the scientific, professional, and credentialing association serving the needs of over 130,000 certified audiologists, certified speech-language pathologists and speech, language, hearing scientists.


Vic Gladstone, PhD

Chief Staff Officer for Audiology, ASHA


Related Courses

Understanding Privilege, for Healthcare Professionals
Presented by Esther Clervaud, EdS
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenter

Esther Clervaud, EdS
Course: #36096Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Instructor and information presented should make work places better for everyone'   Read Reviews
Systems of privilege have created a wide division of inequality. This course will help hearing care professionals identify their privilege and determine how to make a difference in their places of employment.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Creating Leadership in Audiology Through a Mentoring Circle
Presented by Natalie Phillips, AuD
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenter

Natalie Phillips, AuD
Course: #37632Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'I had no idea the value of a mentor in audiology!'   Read Reviews
There are so many components to quality patient care that it is challenging to “master” them all. What if you could come together with other professionals who possess knowledge or experience that could help you or your practice? There are a number of veteran audiologists as well as rising professionals who have wisdom, qualifications, narratives, and unique journeys to share. The purpose of this talk is to rethink the traditional mentor/mentee vertical relationship and explore collaboration in the form of circle…where all professionals, regardless of age or experience, learn from each other.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to Improve Patient-Clinician Communication and Enhance Treatment Efficacy
Presented by Carren Stika, PhD
Recorded Webinar
ReSound

Presenter

Carren Stika, PhD
Course: #35841Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Good refresher'   Read Reviews
Due to the recent increased focus on providing patient-centered healthcare, use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become an essential component of assessing whether the services provided improved patients’ health and sense of well-being. This course will discuss the role of PROMs in healthcare and how using these measures in clinical practice can enhance treatment efficacy, improve patient-clinician communication, and assist clinicians in providing better person-centered care.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Learn to Earn the Salary You Deserve: Negotiating Like a Boss
Presented by Natalie Phillips, AuD
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenter

Natalie Phillips, AuD
Course: #32770Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'The statistics of the salaries and percentage of each male and female that negotiate their salaries'   Read Reviews
The ability to negotiate your income displays immediate knowledge and confidence in your skillset and worth. In this course, we will examine a revenue and pay justification method to put into place as audiology business owners, employers, and employees.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Core Topics for Audiology Assistants
Presented by James W. Hall III, PhD, Kathleen Weissberg, OTD, OTR/L, Amit Gosalia, AuD
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenters

James W. Hall III, PhDKathleen Weissberg, OTD, OTR/LAmit Gosalia, AuD
Course: #37123Level: Introductory3 Hours
  'I am currently working as a Patient Care Coordinator and studying for my Audiologist Assistant Certification'   Read Reviews
This course includes one hour of content on each of the following topics: 1) ethical concepts and decision-making; 2) universal safety precautions, including the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) bloodborne pathogens standard, and 3) patient confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA).

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.