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Speech-Language Pathology
Graduate Clinician Handbook
Distance Learning Program
The University of Akron
College of Health Professions
School Director: James Steiger, Ph.D.
Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Coordinator (Campus Program): Charles Carlin,
PhD, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathology Clinic Director: Katie Boarman, MA, CCC-SLP
Distance Learning Coordinator: Caitlin Perry, MA, CCC-SLP
School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
The University of Akron
181 Polsky Building
Akron, Ohio 44325-3001
Phone: 330-972-6803 for Academic Program
Phone: 330-972-6035 for the Audiology and Speech Center
Fax: 330-972-7884
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Website: www.uakron.edu/sslpa
Table of Contents:
Introduction
3-4
Services at The Audiology and Speech Center
5-6
ASHA Code of Ethics
7
Certificate of Clinical Competence ASHA 2020 Standards
8-9
Graduate Clinician Clinical Assignments
10
Graduate Clinical Practicum Courses
11-12
Externship Information
13-14
School-Based Externship
15
Medical Externship
16
Preferred Practice Patterns
17
Obtaining and Documenting Clinic Clock Hours
18-19
Expectations of Graduate Clinicians
20-21
Clinical Supervision Guidelines
22-23
Current UA Graduate School Grade/Dismissal Policies: Graduate Bulletin
24-25
Orientation: an overview
26
Technical Standards
27-31
Criminal Background Checks
32-33
Specialized Training Requirements
34
Universal Precautions for Infection Control
35
Social Media Guidelines
36
Health Forms
37
Report Writing
38
Student Procedures for Filing a Complaint
39-40
Student Complaint Form
41
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
42
Authorization for Release of Information – student form
43
Professional Organizations
44
Important University of Akron Contact Information
45
Speech-Language Faculty Information
46
Other Important Contacts
47
Emergency Procedures
48-51
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Introduction to the University of Akron Speech-Language Pathology
Graduate Program
Introduction:
This handbook is intended to provide information for speech-language pathology graduate
students related to academic and clinical experiences.
What is the mission of The School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology?
Mission Statement:
The School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is an academic program in the
College of Health Professions of The University of Akron. Through professional education, the
School prepares highly qualified audiologists and speech-language pathologists who are
dedicated to helping individuals achieve their full communication potential. To this end, the
School advances excellence in graduate clinician learning, collaborative clinical service delivery,
community service, and the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and teaching.
What is the mission of The Audiology and Speech Center?
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Audiology and Speech Center is to provide education and training for
undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the clinical training program and to provide
diagnostic and treatment services to persons with language, speech, and/or hearing problems.
Audiology and Speech Center Outcomes
1. Improve the lives of consumers in Akron, Summit County, and throughout Ohio by
providing high quality, comprehensive, state of the art audiologic and speech-language
services as measured by client/patient satisfaction surveys.
2. University of Akron graduate clinicians will obtain clinical experiences and competencies
needed for state licensure, certification, and employment as measured by exit surveys and
employment surveys.
3. University of Akron graduate clinicians will obtain evidence-based training in assessment
and treatment of a variety of communication/hearing/balance disorders, service delivery
models, business practices, and case management procedures as measured by the
Knowledge and Skills Assessment (KASA) competencies.
Diagnostic and treatment services are provided at the Audiology and Speech Center by graduate
clinician under the supervision of experienced, licensed, and certified clinical instructors.
Supervision is carried out in accordance with the guidelines mandated by the American Speech-
Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Ohio Board of Speech and Hearing
Professionals.
Policy of nondiscrimination in programs and activities:
The University of Akron does not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, color,
religion, age, handicap, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its
educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loans programs, or other school-
administered programs.
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The master of art degree (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology at The
University of Akron is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and
Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200
Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
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Services at the Audiology and Speech Center
What services are offered at the Audiology and Speech Center?
Services Provided:
• Evaluation and treatment across the lifespan for a wide range of speech and language
disorders and differences. Clinics are available for the following:
o neurogenic disorders resulting from stroke, degenerative disease, and traumatic
brain injury
o voice
o fluency
o phonologic/articulation disorders
o language disorders
o hearing impairment (auditory-verbal)
o augmentative-alternative communication
o auditory processing disorders
• Individual and group speech therapy
• Testing for audiologic and vestibular disorders
• Hearing aid counseling, selecting, dispensing, orientation, rechecks and repairs
• Assistive listening device counseling, selection, and dispensing
• Individual and group audiologic (re)habilitation
• Family counseling and support groups for individuals and/or family members of
individuals who have communication disorders
Population Served:
Children and adults from the Northeast Ohio communities, Akron, and the University of Akron’s
campus.
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; other hours by special arrangement.
Fees:
Payment for services and products is expected at the time of service.
1. Some third-party/intermediary payments are accepted
2. Fee adjustments can be made base on family income; application is required
3. Discount schedule available for self-pay
4. Products must be paid for at the time of dispensing
Referral:
Individuals are accepted for assessment and treatment based on the service requested, availability
of staff, and appropriateness for clinical training and research.
Speech-Language Pathology Clinic Director: Katie Boarman, MA/CCC-SLP
Audiology & Speech Center Phone: (330) 972-6035
Academic Program Office Phone: (330) 972-6803
Fax: (330) 972-7884
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Goals:
The specific goals of the Audiology and Speech Center are as follows:
1. To provide appropriate prevention, identification, diagnosis, treatment and/or referral
services to individuals with communication disorders or differences
2. To provide graduate clinicians with a continuum of supervised experiences (e.g.
observation, diagnosis, treatment) designed to develop competence in total case
management
3. To train family members of persons with communication disorders to deal effectively
with communication disorders in the home
4. To provide consultative services and act as a resource for local professionals serving
persons with communication disorders
5. To provide information regarding the identification and prevention of communication
disorders to local communities
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Guiding Principles: The ASHA Code of Ethics
What guides the decision making at the Audiology and Speech Center?
The Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association serves as the
“ground rules” for the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. The principles
encompass: conduct toward the client, the public, and fellow professionals. Graduate clinicians
are expected to read and observe the principles of the Code of Ethics in all aspects of clinical
practice while enrolled in the program.
The complete ASHA Code of Ethics may be found on the ASHA website
http://www.asha.org/Code-of-Ethics/
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Certificate of Clinical Competence ASHA 2020 Standards
What are the ASHA standards for certification?
Overview of the standards:
• Master’s, Doctoral, or another recognized post-baccalaureate degree
• Coursework and clinical work must be completed at an ASHA accredited program. Program
must be sufficient in depth and breadth to achieve knowledge and skills outcomes.
• Coursework in statistics and biological, physical, and social/behavioral sciences.
• Knowledge in basic human communication and swallowing processes: biological,
neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases.
• Knowledge in communication and swallowing disorders and differences: etiologies,
characteristics, and anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and
linguistic and cultural correlates
• Knowledge in the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for
persons with communication and swallowing disorders
• Demonstrate knowledge of ethical standards, research principles, and current professional
and regulatory issues
• Skills in oral and written communication
• Practicum experiences that:
o Encompass the breadth of the current scope of practice
o Across the lifespan
o Culturally/linguistically diverse populations
o Various types and severities of communication and/or related disorders, differences,
and disabilities
o Interprofessional education and collaborative practice
o Without specific clock-hour requirements for given disorders or settings
• A total of 400 clock hours of supervised practicum with at least:
o 375 in direct client/patient contact
o 25 in guided clinical observation
o 325 must be completed while in an accredited graduate program
o Up to 75 hours in clinical simulation
• Amount of supervision proportional to graduate clinician’s level of knowledge, experience,
and competence, with no less than 25% supervision of direct client/patient contact
• A combination of formative and summative assessments for the purpose of improving and
measuring graduate clinician learning
• Supervision must be provided by an individual who holds the Certificate of Clinical
Competence in the appropriate area of practice.
Standard V-B: Skills Outcomes:
Evaluation
• Conduct screening and prevention procedures, including prevention activities.
• Collect case history information and integrate information from clients/patients, family,
caregivers, teachers, and relevant others, including other professionals.
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• Select and administer appropriate evaluation procedures, such as behavioral observations,
nonstandardized and standardized tests, and instrumental procedures.
• Adapt evaluation procedures to meet the needs of individuals receiving services.
• Interpret, integrate, and synthesize all information to develop diagnoses and make
appropriate recommendations for intervention.
• Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support evaluation.
• Refer clients/patients for appropriate services.
Intervention
• Develop setting-appropriate intervention plans with measurable and achievable goals that
meet clients’/patients’ needs. Collaborate with clients/patients and relevant others in the
planning process.
• Implement intervention plans that involve clients/patients and relevant others in the
intervention process.
• Select or develop and use appropriate materials and instrumentation for prevention and
intervention.
• Measure and evaluate clients’/patients’ performance and progress.
• Modify intervention plans, strategies, materials, or instrumentation as appropriate to meet
the needs of clients/patients.
• Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support intervention.
• Identify and refer clients/patients for services, as appropriate
Interaction and Personal Qualities
• Communicate effectively, recognizing the needs, values, preferred mode of
communication, and cultural/linguistic background of the individual(s) receiving
services, family, caregivers, and relevant others.
• Manage the care of individuals receiving services to ensure an interprofessional, team-
based collaborative practice.
• Provide counseling regarding communication and swallowing disorders to
clients/patients, family, caregivers, and relevant others.
• Adhere to the ASHA Code of Ethics, and behave professionally
Approved by ASHA Council on Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, 2020
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Graduate Clinician Clinic Assignment
What do I need to know about clinical assignments?
The coordinator and students work collaboratively to arrange clinical placements in their
communities depending upon the graduate clinician’s individual training needs as well as upon
his/her level of training and competence. In order to receive an assignment, graduate
clinicians MUST be enrolled in the appropriate practicum course(s).
Graduate clinicians are assigned to clients by their supervising SLPs in order to meet clinic
caseload demands as well as to provide experience necessary for certification.
CLINIC ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT OPTIONAL AND MUST BE A FIRST PRIORITY
Clinic scheduling is a complicated process and numerous variables must be considered. It is the
graduate clinician’s responsibility to arrange employment so that it does NOT interfere with
clinical practicum obligations. Any changes in clinical assignments MUST be approved by the
Distance Learning Coordinator.
Clinical functions to which the graduate clinician may be assigned include:
• Individual therapy with clients with varying disorders
• Group therapy
• Speech-language-hearing screening team
• Speech-language diagnostic team
• Client and family counseling
• Audiologic/speech-language screening
• Externships
The coordinator and students work collaboratively to arrange clinical placements in their
communities. Students complete a spreadsheet that will outline facilities that are located within
50 miles of his/her residence. This spreadsheet is a shared document between the student(s) and
the coordinator, which tracks communication between the student, the coordinator, and the sites.
Students typically make the first point of contact with facilities, in order to request placements.
Students should begin contacting sites between 6-12 months prior to the intended term. An email
template is provided to the students via Brightspace.
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Graduate Clinical Practicum Courses
What do I need to know about the Clinical Practicum Program?
Clinical Practicum experiences are organized so that graduate clinicians meet, at a minimum,
licensure requirements of the Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board, certification
requirements of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. (ASHA) and licensure
requirements of the Ohio Department of Education. Additional experiences may be required to
fulfil a graduate clinician’s specialization, interests and/or needs, or out of state licensure.
Students who live out of state are responsible for researching their state licensure requirements
and communicating this information with the coordinator at the start of the program.
Clinical certification requirements are outlined in ASHA’s Certification Handbook for Speech-
Language Pathology or Audiology. This may be found on line at
https://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/SLP-Certification-Handbook.pdf. All membership and
certification forms may be downloaded and printed from the website.
What clinical courses must graduate clinicians have in order to obtain the M.A. in Speech-
Language Pathology?
Graduate students and the Distance Learning Coordinator collaborate together to arrange all of
the clinical practica for speech-language graduate clinicians.
COURSES: FOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY GRADUATE CLINICIANS
Course Number Course Name Course Description
Advanced Clinical Practicum
(Repeated three times)
Provides clinical practicum
experiences in the Audiology and
Speech Center or at external sites.
Graduate students and the Distance
Learning Coordinator collaborate
together to arrange a variety of
clinical experiences in order to
prepare them for externship
practica. Placements are arranged
for a minimum of 2 days per week.
School-Based Extern
Provides graduate clinicians with an
opportunity to extend their
academic and clinical training to a
public school setting. Placements
are arranged for a minimum of 3
days per week.
School-Based Extern
Seminar
This course is designed as a
supplement to the School-Based
Extern experience
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Medical Extern
Provides graduate clinicians with an
opportunity to extend their
academic and clinical training to an
adult medical setting. Placements
are arranged for a minimum of 3
days per week.
Extern Seminar
This course is designed as a
supplement to the Medical Extern
experience
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Externship Information
What is the purpose of the Externship Experiences?
The purpose of the medical and school-based externship experiences is to provide graduate
clinicians experience working in the medical setting and the school setting.
The University of Akron Liaisons to the Extern Sites
The Distance Learning Coordinator serves as the liaison between the School of Speech-
Language Pathology and Audiology and the medical/school externship sites for the graduate
clinicians in Speech-Language Pathology. All matters related to the externships experience
should be brought to the liaison’s attention.
Graduate Clinician Preparation Prior to Beginning the Externships
Prior to beginning the externship experiences, graduate clinicians will have successfully
completed at least three semesters of graduate clinical coursework and approximately 100-150
hours of clinical experience.
Prior to or concurrently with the externships, graduate clinicians will gain the theoretical base
necessary to understand the communication disorders they will be encountering. They will have
observed and directly worked with several clients of various ages, presenting a wide range of
communication disorder types and levels of severity. Graduate clinicians will have had practical
experiences selecting and implementing diagnostics, interventions, data collection, and report
writing procedures. Finally, they will have access to resources they can use for clinical decision-
making and problem solving. All these basic experiences serve to prepare graduate clinicians for
advanced clinical preparation in the university clinic and at the off-campus externship sites.
Each graduate clinician is covered with professional liability insurance provided through the
University prior to beginning the extern experience; the fee for this is paid through course fees;
this is arranged by the Director of the Center. A copy of the certificate of insurance can be
provided upon request.
Goals of the Externship Experiences:
There are several goals to the externship experiences:
1. To gain competency with communication disorders, service delivery models, and practice
management procedures that may not be available at The University of Akron
2. To enable graduate clinicians to experience and better understand the demands and
responsibilities unique to the particular work settings
3. To provide graduate clinicians with experiences they need for future employment
4. To gain competency working with specific client populations in accordance with ASHA
standards
5. To enable graduate clinicians to gain the clinical hours needed to meet the requirements for
the certification and licensure
6. To maintain professional clinical collaboration and interaction between The University of
Akron and the extern facility
7. To prepare the graduate clinicians for their Clinical Fellowship following graduation
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How Graduate clinicians Are Assigned to Extern Sites:
The University of Akron School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology maintains
Affiliation Agreements with hundreds of medical centers, hospitals, clinics, private practices,
schools and community organizations in order to provide our graduate clinicians with a wide
variety of clinical experiences.
The externship experiences typically take place during the graduate clinician’s final 2-3
semesters in the graduate program. Graduate clinicians who have met all prerequisites for
externships consult with the coordinator for possible placements. Graduate clinicians submit a
clinical externship application to the coordinator. After consulting with the facility, the
coordinator matches the graduate clinician with the appropriate facility.
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School-Based Externship
What do I need to know about the School-Based Externship?
The school-based externship is designed to give graduate clinicians experience in public school
settings. It also enables a graduate clinician to be eligible for licensure by the Ohio Department
of Education; this licensure is required of all speech-language pathologists who work in a public-
school setting in the State of Ohio.
School Externship Handbook is available on the Graduate Program’s Brightspace site and the
SLP Supervisor site at https://uakron.edu/sslpa/gslpp/slp-supervisors
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Medical Externship
What do I need to know about the Medical Externship?
Medical externships are designed to give graduate clinicians experience in medical settings.
These settings may include: skilled nursing, rehabilitation, acute care, and home health care. It is
a requirement of ASHA that graduate clinicians get experience across the lifespan and across
disability areas.
Medical Externship Handbook is available on the Graduate Program’s Brightspace site and the
SLP Supervisor site at https://uakron.edu/sslpa/gslpp/slp-supervisors
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Preferred Practice Patterns
What are the preferred practice patterns?
Clinical Instructors and Graduate Clinicians are expected to follow and reference Preferred
Practice Patterns of the Profession of Speech-Language Pathology as outlined by the American
Speech-Language Hearing Association (2004) and available at
https://www.asha.org/policy/pp2004-00191/
Preferred Practice Patterns define universally applicable characteristics of the activities directed
towards the recipients of audiology and speech-language pathology services.
Components of Preferred Practice Patterns describe EACH diagnostic or therapeutic procedure:
• Professionals who perform the procedure(s)
• Support personnel who perform procedure(s)
• Expected outcomes
• Clinical indications
• Clinical processes
• Setting/equipment specifications
• Safety and health precautions
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Obtaining and Documenting Clinical Clock Hours
What are ASHA’s standards for obtaining and documenting clinical clock hours for
certification in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology?
The graduate clinician is required to log the amount of time spent participating in direct client
contact. These clock hours are tracked in the on-line management system, Calipso at
https://www.calipsoclient.com/uakron/account/login. This system helps to keep accurate records
of graduate clinicians’ clinical hours that are maintained for graduation, for ASHA certification
and state licensure purposes. Graduate clinicians receive instructions on using the Calipso
management system when they enter our graduate program.
Prior to supervising a graduate clinician, each supervisor will be emailed instructions and a one-
time PIN to register for his/her free supervisor account. Once a supervising SLP has registered,
he/she will remain in the Calipso management system for subsequent semesters. Supervisors
approve all clinical clock hours within the Calipso management system.
In order to count clinical clock hours toward meeting certification and/or licensure
requirements, a graduate clinician must be actively involved in the diagnostic or
intervention process.
Active involvement includes the following activities when the client is present and
participating:
• Actual service delivery (therapy or diagnostics)
• Recording and analyzing data during the session
• Interviewing and counseling with clients/families regarding treatment recommendations,
home programming, etc.
• Managing client’s behavior
• Managing technological devices with the client present (speech-generating devices,
assistive listening devices, preparing computer programs for sessions)
• Clinical documentation with the client present
The following activities CANNOT be counted towards clinical clock hours:
• Report writing without the client present and participating
• Planning sessions
• Learning to administer tests or procedures
• Passively observing without active involvement with the client/family
• Interprofessional or staff meetings without the client present and participating
• Conference time with supervisor
If you are in doubt about the legitimacy of an activity, consult the appropriate coordinator
Supervision of Clock Hours:
Persons holding the CCC-SLP may supervise:
• All Speech-Language Pathology evaluations and treatment services
• Aural habilitation and rehabilitation services
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• Audiologic screening (i.e. pure-tone air conduction screening and testing, and screening
tympanometry) for the purpose of the initial identification and/or referral of individuals
other communication disorders or possible middle ear pathology
• Management of children and adults with central auditory processing disorders
Persons holding the CCC-A may supervise:
• Audiologic evaluation/assessment
• Intervention for central auditory processing disorders
• Amplification (hearing aid selection and management)
• Speech and/or language screening for the purpose of initial identification of individuals
who may have other communication disorders
• Aural habilitation and rehabilitation services
• Evaluation and management of children and adults with central auditory processing
disorders
How do graduate clinicians keep track of clinical clock hours?
Graduate clinicians are required to log the amount of time spent participating in direct client
contact. These clock hours are tracked by a web-based program, Calipso. Graduate clinicians are
required to enter their clock hours information into this system and monitor it to assure that their
clock hours are correct and that they are approved by their supervisor(s). All clock hours must
be entered by the graduate clinician into Calipso prior to the end of the clinical placement.
Errors in entering clock hours or failure to submit clock hours may result in an In Progress (IP)
for the practicum experience, and/or delay or prevention of ASHA certification or state licensure.
The accuracy of your clinical hours is NOT the Clinical Instructor’s responsibility-it is YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY!! It is strongly recommended that graduate clinicians maintain a personal
record of clinical hours.
Instructions for the Calipso
• Log into: https://www.calipsoclient.com/uakron/account/login
• You will be prompted to enter your UA email and the unique password you created prior
to beginning graduate school. If you have not completed this step- contact the clinic
director for an initial PIN number.
• Go to “Clockhours” and then create a new daily clock hour. Enter all required site
information as well as the hours received. Detailed instructions can be obtained from the
clinic director if needed.
• You will be expected to monitor your own clock hours and their approval by your
supervisor(s).
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Expectations of Graduate Clinicians
What is expected of graduate clinician clinicians?
Attendance:
Student attendance during clinical practicum is mandatory
Graduate clinicians are not permitted to be absent from clinical practicum unless the absence is
excused. Reasons for excused absences include:
• Personal illness/injury
• Significant illness/injury of immediate family (spouse, parents, children, grandparents,
siblings, grandchildren) to care for the family member
• Exposure to contagious disease which can be communicated to other
• Funeral, memorial service, or wake
• Religious holidays/observation
• Medically necessary appointment that cannot be scheduled at an alternative time
• Other reasons approved by SLP supervisor and Distance Learning Coordinator.
Graduate clinicians may be required to provide documentation of absences. Unexcused absences
or a frequent pattern of excused absences without appropriate documentation may result in a
deduction in letter grade and/or an In-Progress (IP) for the practicum experience.
Student with an excused absence must contact his/her SLP supervisor as soon as possible.
If the SLP supervisor has concerns regarding student attendance, s/he will coordinate a meeting
with the student, SLP supervisor, and the Coordinator to discuss concerns and determine a course
of action.
Schedule:
Graduate clinicians may be placed in off-campus clinical practicum experiences that do NOT
follow the University calendar. They must follow the calendar for the facility where they are
completing their clinical practicum. Graduate Clinicians are expected to attend clinical
placements during his/her regularly scheduled days and times. If the University of Akron is
closed, but the facility remains open, the graduate clinician is expected to report to their
externship site.
Dress, Grooming, and Appearance:
Graduate clinicians are expected to dress for evaluations and therapy in an appropriate,
professional manner, i.e. in attire appropriate to any place of business. Clothing which is either
too casual or too dressy, i.e. shorts, sundresses, very short skirts, jeans, tee-shirts, sweatshirts,
party wear, see-through clothing, etc., is out of place in a clinical work environment. In general,
a clean, neat pair of pants, a dress, a skirt, together with a blouse, shirt, jacket or sweater is
considered to be appropriate. Bare midriffs, plunging necklines and low-rise pants are not
allowed. Makeup, jewelry, and hair color should be tasteful. If you have an obvious body
piercing or tattoo, remove it or cover it while you are at clinic. Certain clinical sites have specific
dress codes that you must follow; your Clinical Instructor will give you this information. If you
have any questions about the matter of dress, consult with your Clinical Instructor.
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Timeliness:
You are expected and required to be on time for all on-campus and off-campus clinical
appointments. You are also expected to arrive ahead of the appointment time in order to prepare
for your session and begin on time. If there are circumstances beyond your control that cause you
to be late or you are ill, you must call your supervisor immediately.
Clinic Assignments:
Clinic assignments are not optional! When you are assigned to a particular client or clinical
experience, it is because it is part of YOUR clinical training program and the standards mandated
by ASHA and the Ohio Board of Speech and Hearing Professionals. We are also obligated to
provide services to the clients of our Center and off-campus contract sites. Turning down or
refusing to participate in a clinical assignment may result in lowered practicum grades and an
extension of your graduate school program.
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Clinical Supervision Guidelines
What are the clinical supervision requirements for graduate clinicians?
ASHA Standard V-E: Supervision of graduate clinicians must be provided by a clinical
educator who holds ASHA certification in the appropriate profession, who has the equivalent of
a minimum of 9 months of full-time clinical experience post-certification, and who has
completed a minimum of 2 hours of professional development in clinical instruction/supervision
after being awarded ASHA certification.
The amount of direct supervision must be commensurate with the graduate clinician’s
knowledge, skills, and experience; must not be less than 25% of the graduate clinician's total
contact with each client/patient; and must take place periodically throughout the practicum.
Supervision must be sufficient to ensure the welfare of the individual receiving services.
It is understood that in a clinical training program, clinical supervision takes place according to
the training level and individual needs of each graduate clinician and each client served. ASHA
standards specify a minimum of 25% supervision; however, clinical supervision time must be
adjusted accordingly for beginning clinicians and adjusted as the graduate clinician become more
independent.
How are graduate clinicians graded for clinic?
Evaluation and Grades:
At a minimum, graduate clinicians should be provided with a formal verbal and written
evaluation twice during the experience; once at the midterm and again at final. Clinical
Performance Evaluations are completed using an on-line management system, Calipso. During
the evaluation, the graduate clinician and supervisor should discuss the graduate clinician’s
strengths and areas in need of improvement. Efforts should be made to establish objectives for
improving performance.
What if a graduate clinician needs support in his/her academic achievement or clinical
skills?
Academic and Clinical Support Plans:
If a graduate clinician scores “3” or lower on any category of the Clinical Performance
Evaluation or if s/he fails to demonstrate competency with the skills and abilities as outlined in
the Technical Standards, a Clinical Skills Support Plan form must be completed. Support plan is
designed to support students in achieving competence in knowledge, skills, and abilities that are
outlined in course syllabi, Clinical Performance Evaluation, and the Technical Standards. If a
graduate clinician requires a Support Plan, the Distance Learning Coordinator will assist with
development of the Support Plan.
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Procedures:
Support plans can be either academically or clinically based. The instructor(s) and/or
supervisor(s), along with the appropriate coordinator(s) are responsible for creating a plan based
on knowledge, skill, or ability deficiencies demonstrated by a graduate clinician with the
academic or clinical setting. Once a plan has been devised, the instructor/supervisor must review
and discuss the plan with the graduate clinician. After doing so, the graduate clinician,
instructor/supervisor, and coordinator must sign and date the plan, acknowledging the goals
created, and the anticipated completion date/deadline. A copy of the signed support plan must be
provided to the graduate clinician, the graduate clinician’s graduate file, the
supervisor/instructor, and the Clinic Director (clinic) or Graduate Coordinator (academic).
Prior to the start of a new clinical semester, the graduate clinician’s supervisor(s) will be notified
and receive a copy of the graduate clinician’s plan from the Coordinator.
The instructor(s) and/or supervisor(s) will assist the graduate clinician with development of
knowledge, skill, and/or ability area(s) specified on the Support Plan. This assistance may
include strategies including but not limited to: written feedback, verbal feedback, modeling of a
skill, clinician self-assessments, research into a disorder, audio taping, videotaping, skill
proficiency checklists, review of policies/procedures, in-services, supplemental readings, regular
supervisory conferences, data collection by supervisor or the graduate clinician.
Until the plan is completed, the graduate clinician must meet with their instructor(s) and/or
supervisor(s) on a pre-determined schedule to discuss progress made toward accomplishing the
specified plan goals. The plan goals must be achieved no later than the end of the subsequent
semester.
If an instructor(s) and/or supervisor(s) observes minimal to no improvement and/or failure of the
graduate clinician to meet the plan deadline, the instructor(s) and/or supervisor(s) must inform
the Distance Learning Coordinator. In this situation, the Coordinator will set up a meeting with
the graduate clinician to discuss potential plans of action, e.g., delay externship placement,
repeating a course, extension of a graduate clinician’s program, etc.
Completion of the clinical support plan goals will be verified by the Coordinator; this
verification will be provided by the graduate clinician’s current or subsequent supervisor once
the plan is in place. Once the plan has been completed, the Coordinator will document the
graduate clinician’s attainment of goals on the original plan or as a written addendum.
Completion of the academic support plan goals will be verified by the Graduate Coordinator; this
verification will be provided by the graduate clinician’s current or subsequent instructor once the
plan is in place. Once the plan has been completed, the School Director will document the
graduate clinician’s attainment of goals on the original plan, or as a written addendum.
Clock Hours:
If a graduate clinician receives an average of 3.9 or lower as their final clinical grade on any
Calipso evaluation, the graduate clinician will not be granted the hours for that clinical
experience.
24
Current UA Graduate School Grade/Dismissal Policies: Graduate Bulletin
http://www.uakron.edu/gradsch/docs/Gradbulletin.pdf
Grades:
A graduate clinician admitted to graduate study under any status at the University is expected
to maintain a minimum 3.00 grade-point average (4.00=“A”) at all times. A minimum grade-
point average of 3.00 is required for graduation. No more than six semester credits of “C,” “C+,”
and “C-” may be counted toward the degree. Grades of “D+,” “D,” and “D-” are treated as “F”
grades. No grades below “C-” may be counted toward a degree.
Furthermore, the Graduate School will not transfer a grade lower than a B from another
University to receive graduate credit. If a student earns lower than a B in any of his/her courses
completed at the University of Cincinnati, the student will need to retake the course in order to
earn a grade that can be transferred.
Probation and Dismissal:
Any graduate clinician whose cumulative graduate grade-point average falls below 3.00 will
be placed on probation and is no longer in good standing. In consultation with the
college or department, as appropriate, the dean of the Graduate School will dismiss
full-time graduate clinicians who do not return to good academic standing within two
consecutive semesters (excluding summers) and part-time graduate clinicians who do not return
to good academic standing within the attempting of 15 additional credits. For the purpose of
administration of the full-time and part-time provisions of this policy, full-time and part-time
status are determined by the semester in which the graduate clinician goes on probation. Full-
time enrollment constitutes nine or more graduate credits; part-time is less than nine graduate
credits. The dean of the Graduate School, with the approval of the relevant department chair,
may also dismiss anyone who fails to make satisfactory progress toward declared goals or who
accumulates six semester credits of “C+” or below. The accumulation of six semester credits of
“F” will result in mandatory dismissal.* A graduate clinician dismissed from the Graduate
School for academic reasons may not be readmitted for one calendar year, and then only if
evidence for expecting satisfactory performance is submitted and found to be acceptable.
*Grades of “D+,” “D,” and “D-” are treated as “F” grades. (See previous section on Grades.)
A graduate clinician may be dismissed from the Graduate program if:
• If they have accumulated 6 credits of C+ or lower in clinical practicum over two
semesters AND
• A maximum of two Clinical Support Plans will developed for the graduate clinician; if
they are not able to complete these plans after two semesters with a reasonable amount of
assistance from faculty, the graduate clinician may be dismissed from the program.
Should a clinical graduate clinician accrue clinic grades as described above, a conference to
discuss the graduate clinician’s progress will be held with the graduate clinician and members of
the SLP faculty. The graduate clinician may provide a written statement prior to this meeting
addressing any issues they feel are pertinent to the proceedings. Should a determination be made
25
that the graduate clinician has made insufficient clinical progress to warrant continuing in the
program, dismissal may be recommended.
If the graduate clinician is non-compliant with the support plan, is unable to complete the plan or
additional issues arise, discussion by the Faculty will determine the next course of action:
• Education/Counseling
• Continue/revise current support plan
• Referral to Graduate clinician Judicial Affairs
• Dismissal from the program
• Contacting appropriate authorities
At any time if it is determined by the faculty that a graduate clinician’s behavior poses a risk to
the health or safety of clients, faculty/supervisors, staff or fellow graduate clinicians, clinical
practicum may be terminated, and the case will be referred by the School Director to the Office
of Judicial Affairs or the proper authorities. The Dean of the College of Health Professions will
be notified of this referral.
Termination of a Clinical Experience:
A graduate clinician may be removed/terminated from a clinical site at any time for safety
reasons. Following a removal from a clinical site a meeting will be held with the graduate
clinician to discuss the removal and the appropriate next steps.
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What is covered during orientation?
Every graduate clinician is encouraged to participate in orientation during the fall leading up to
their first year of graduate school. Information will be provided in person or on-line. At the end
of the orientation, the graduate clinician should be comfortable with the following protocols and
procedures unique to this work setting:
• ASHA Code of Ethics
• Technical Standards
• Informed Consent
• Release of Information
• Clock hours management (Calipso)
• Graduate clinician obligations/responsibilities; academics and clinic
• Professional behavior
Graduate Clinician Contact Information:
It is essential that accurate home address, e-mail address, and home/cell phone numbers are filed
in MyAkron and with the Graduate Coordinator. If your address, phone number, or e-mail
address changes, it is the graduate clinician’s responsibility to update this information with the
Academic Administrative Assistant, the Graduate Coordinator and all clinical supervisors.
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Technical Standards
What are the technical standards?
The technical standards of the University of Akron School of Speech-Language Pathology and
Audiology & Audiology and Speech Center reflect the essential qualities and abilities that are
considered necessary to a student’s academic and clinical performance. Once admitted,. ability
to meet these technical standards must be maintained throughout a student’s progress in the
graduate program. In the event that, during training, a student is unable to fulfill these technical
standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, then the student may be asked to leave the
program.
The Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology is designed to prepare students to enter the
profession as a generalist with skills, knowledge, and ability to perform successfully all the
required functions associated with the role of an entry-level speech-language pathologist. In
keeping with applicable federal and state law regarding disabilities and our program philosophy,
we are committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities to
enable them to perform successfully the skills necessary to fulfill the role of a speech-language
pathologist. If a student has a disability that they feel may require special accommodation
to perform any of the tasks identified as essential to the clinical practice of speech-language
pathology, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Office of Accessibility so
appropriate steps can be taken to accommodate the student’s needs.
Students should carefully review the technical standards below to determine whether or not they
can meet these standards (with or without accommodation).
COPIED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON SCHOOL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND
AUDIOLOGY, AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH CENTER TECHNICAL STANDARDS
TECHNICAL STANDARDS
To perform the essential functions of a speech-language pathologist and be successful in the MA
graduate program, an individual must possess specific skills and abilities in the following five
areas:
1. Communication
2. Sensory/Observation Skills
3. Psychomotor Skills
4. Cognitive Abilities
5. Affective/Behavioral/Social Skills
1. Communication Skills
A student must possess adequate communication skills to:
• Communicate proficiently in both oral and written English language.
• Possess reading and writing skills sufficient to meet curricular and clinical demands.
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• Perceive and demonstrate appropriate non-verbal communication for culture and
context.
• Modify communication style to meet the communication needs of clients/patients,
caregivers, and other persons served.
• Communicate professionally and intelligibly with clients/patients, colleagues, other
healthcare professionals, and community or professional groups.
• Communicate professionally, effectively, and legibly on patient documentation,
reports, and scholarly papers required as a part of course work and professional
practice.
• Convey information accurately with relevance and cultural sensitivity.
2. Sensory/Observation Skills
A student must possess adequate sensory skills of vision, hearing, tactile, and smell to:
• Observe client’s/patient’s activity and behavior to visually and auditorily identify
normal and disordered communication during assessment and treatment procedures.
• Identify the need for alternative modalities of communication
• Visualize and identify anatomic structures
• Read, comprehend, and interpret information (text, numbers, tables, and graphs)
accurately from diagnostic test, equipment, and client records.
• Accurately monitor through both visual and auditory modalities, materials and
equipment used for assessment and treatment of patients.
• Visualize, identify, and discriminate imaging findings
• Recognize when a client’s/patient’s family does or does not understand the clinician’s
written and/or verbal communication
3. Psychomotor Skills
A student must possess adequate motor skills to:
• Attend and arrive on time to lecture and laboratory classes, and access laboratories,
classrooms, and work stations.
• Attend clinical internships/externships in assigned locations.
• Sustain necessary physical activity level in required clinical and academic settings.
• Have the fine motor coordination to accurately and efficiently use
materials/equipment used for assessment and treatment of patients.
• Respond quickly to provide a safe environment for clients/patients in emergency
situations including fire, choking, etc.
• Manipulate patient-utilized equipment (e.g. durable medical equipment to include
AAC devices, hearing aids, etc) in a safe manner
• Access technology for clinical management (i.e. billing, charting, therapy programs,
etc.
4. Cognitive Abilities
A student must possess adequate intellectual and cognitive skills to:
• Comprehend, integrate, synthesize, infer, evaluate, and apply a large body of
information/knowledge in a short period of time.
• Identify significant findings from history, evaluation, and data to formulate a
diagnosis and develop a treatment plan
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• Solve problems, reason, analyze, and make sound clinical judgments in patient
assessment, diagnostic, and therapeutic plan implementation when analyzing complex
patient problems.
• Reflect on clinical and academic performance and self assess performance accurately.
• Utilize appropriate and effective spoken, written and non-verbal communication.
Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level
consistent with competent professional practice.
5. Affective/Behavioral/Social Skills
A student must possess adequate behavioral and social attributes to:
• Display mature, empathetic, and effective professional relationships by exhibiting
compassion, integrity, and concern for others
• Demonstrate appreciation and respect for individual, social, and cultural differences
in fellow students, colleagues, staff, and patients.
• Demonstrate appropriate behaviors, to protect the safety and well-being of
clients/patients and classmates.
• Possess and demonstrate empathy, and demonstrate commitment to the role of health
care provider.
• Demonstrate ability to appropriately handle situations that may be emotionally,
physically, or intellectually stressful.
• Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty
in academic and clinical situations.
• Manage the use of time effectively to complete professional and technical tasks
within a realistic time constraints
• Accept appropriate suggestions and constructive criticism and respond by
modification of behaviors
• Dress appropriately and professionally
• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information.
• Provide services to all clients/patients regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race,
color, religion, age, handicap, status as a veteran, political affiliation, socioeconomic
status, or national or ethnic origin.
Continuation in the graduate program will be contingent on the student’s verification that they
understand and meet these technical standards either with or without accommodation. Students
who may have a disability and believe they can meet the technical standards with
accommodation are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessibility to discuss and identify
reasonable accommodations the University or program would need to make so the candidate may
be able to meet these standards.
Technical Standards: Procedures for Enforcement
The technical standards of the University of Akron School of Speech-Language Pathology and
Audiology & Audiology and Speech Center reflect the essential qualities and abilities that are
considered necessary to a student’s academic and clinical performance. Ability to meet these
technical standards must be maintained throughout a student’s progress throughout the graduate
30
program. The technical standards are tied to all academic and clinical coursework and are
included in the syllabi of all faculty.
These standards were approved by the faculty of the School of Speech-Language Pathology &
Audiology in the Spring 2018.
If an area of concern arises with a student regarding violation of any Technical Standard(s), the
following steps will be taken:
• The issue of a suspected violation may be raised by the following sources: faculty,
supervisors, staff, clients/patients, caregivers, or fellow student(s). This concern should
be submitted in writing to the School Director of The University of Akron.
• A conference to discuss this concern will be held with the student, the School Director,
the Graduate Coordinator and/or Clinic Director, academic advisor, and any other
appropriate faculty members/preceptors.
▪ Factual information, such as but not limited to supervisor evaluations, grades, written
incident reports that document date/time/place, written statements of individuals, or
written witness accounts will be provided regarding the concern. The factual information
required will be decided upon on a case by case basis.
• If the committee determines that a violation has occurred, a written warning will be
issued to the student, along with a support plan to remediate the issue. This plan will be
signed by the student and Graduate Coordinator, indicating that the student agrees to the
plan. The student will be given the opportunity to provide a written response regarding
the concern; the written response must be submitted within one month of the issuance of
the written warning.
• If a student disagrees with the initiation of the plan, refuses to participate in, or fails to
agree to the terms of the plan, the student may be disciplined, which may include
dismissal from the program.
o If it is determined at any point in the process that no violation has occurred, or the
concern is unfounded, then no action will be taken. Documentation to this effect
will be placed in the student’s file.
• Copies of the developed support plan will go to the School Director, the Graduate
Coordinator, and to the student’s permanent file.
• A follow-up conference or conferences will be scheduled, with the date for completion
included in the plan. This follow-up conference will be held no later than one year after
the original conference.
• At the follow-up conference, which will include the same people listed above, it will be
determined if the plan has been successfully completed.
• If the plan has been successful, it will be considered to be achieved; a memo to this fact
will be written and distributed to the School Director, the Graduate Coordinator, and to
the student’s permanent file.
• If the student is non-compliant with the plan, is unable to complete the plan or additional
violations regarding the technical standards arise, the faculty will determine the next
course of action:
o Education/Counseling
o Remediation
o Referral to Student Judicial Affairs
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o Dismissal from the program
o Contacting appropriate authorities
• At any time if it is determined by the faculty that a student’s behavior poses a risk to the
health or safety of clients/patients, faculty, supervisors, staff or fellow students, the case will
be referred by the School Director to the Office of Judicial Affairs. The Dean of the College
of Health Professions will be notified of this referral.
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Criminal Background Checks
As future speech-language pathologists, there are important ethical and professional
considerations of which you should be aware. Convictions of egregious felonies may prevent
you from being licensed in Ohio or elsewhere and may preclude you from obtaining gainful
employment as a professional in your field. Even after obtaining your license, convictions of
such crimes may cause your license to be suspended or revoked. Background checks may reveal
graduate clinician’s unsealed and sealed criminal records. It is therefore important that you
conduct yourself professionally and ethically as a law-abiding citizen. Please read the following
information.
All graduate clinicians in The School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are subject
to criminal background checks upon acceptance into the programs. The results are valid for one
year, and annual checks must be completed. Fingerprints are submitted to the state Bureau of
Criminal Identification and Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The graduate
clinicians are responsible for the cost. When possible, students must provide a sealed copy of the
results to the Distance Learning Coordinator. If this is not possible, the student may scan and
email a copy of the background clearance to the Coordinator.
Applications for professional certification with the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association, licensure by the Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board and Ohio
Department of Education require that you disclose any criminal convictions and/or attest that you
have no prior convictions.
For your information regarding criminal offenses, excerpted information from The Rules and
Regulations of the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology follows below.
4753.10 Disciplinary actions. Effective Date: 11-05-1992
In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the board of speech-language pathology
and audiology may reprimand or place on probation a speech-language pathologist or
audiologist or suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew the license of a speech-language
pathologist or audiologist. Disciplinary actions may be taken by the board for conduct that may
result from but not necessarily be limited to:
• Committing any act of dishonorable, immoral, or unprofessional conduct while engaging
in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology;
• Engaging in illegal, incompetent, or habitually negligent practice;
• Using any narcotic or controlled substance or other drug that is in excess of therapeutic
amounts or without valid medical indication.
• Being convicted of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime
involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding is pending to
have the conviction or plea set aside;
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• Being disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority of this or any other state or
country or convicted or disciplined by a court of this or any other state or country for an
act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under this section.
• If any person has engaged in any practice which constitutes an offense under the
provisions of this chapter or rules promulgated thereunder by the board, the board may
apply to the court of common pleas of the county for an injunction or other appropriate
order restraining such conduct, and the court may issue such order
The full text of these Rules and Regulations may be found at:
http://slpaud.ohio.gov/lawsandrules.htm
Graduate clinicians will be required to complete clinical rotations at public schools or health care
facilities. The clinical sites will review the background checks for confirmation that a graduate
clinician would not be barred under the clinical sites rules and regulations or under state or
federal law. Clinical sites may bar graduate clinicians with certain types of convictions, which
could negatively impact a graduate clinician’s ability to successfully complete the academic
program.
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Specialized Training Requirements
Will I need any specialized health training?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA): All graduate
clinicians entering clinicals will be required to complete HIPAA training; graduate clinicians
who do not comply with this requirement will not be allowed to participate in clinical practicum
until it is completed.
Since April 14, 2003, the Audiology and Speech Center has been HIPAA compliant.
At the completion of the training, all participants are required to upload their HIPAA certificate
to Brightspace, which acknowledges that they have received training and pledge to abide by the
standards.
No graduate clinician or faculty member is allowed to participate in clinic or have access to
client files until this training as been completed.
35
Universal Precautions for Infection Control
What procedures are utilized for infection control in the Audiology and Speech Center?
Personal Protection:
WASH HANDS when arriving on duty for clinical practicum activities, before leaving, before
and after eating, after using the restroom, between clients, before handling clean supplies, after
handling dirty items, and as needed.
Use gloves when handling blood, saliva, cerumen, and any other body fluids and/or anytime you
are in contact with mucous membranes or broken skin.
Wear a cover if any clothing is likely to be soiled.
Use face protection if spraying is possible.
Wear a mask for suspect respiratory illnesses.
Treatment Rooms and Materials:
Each treatment room is equipped with Infection Control materials including: gloves, alcohol
wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues, disinfecting wipes, and paper towels.
Clean all surfaces and materials with disinfectant solution after each session. This includes but is
not limited to the following: tables, chairs, windows, doorknobs, light switches, mirrors,
treatment/diagnostic materials, and toys.
Throw away all contaminated material including tissues, tongue blades, cups, q-tips, gloves,
therapy materials etc.
Become familiar with standard precautions taken at various work sites and share these
procedures with your clinical instructors and fellow graduate clinicians.
36
Social Media Guidelines
What are the guidelines for social media?
You may not post any content that is personal health information, including client/patient
images, on any social media site or any other Internet site. Remember that these are public
forums and whatever information you share will be viewed by others and may be archived by
various third parties.
Do not post opinions of any kind about clients, faculty and/or staff of the University of Akron, or
any fellow graduate clinician.
Think twice before posting:
Privacy does not exist in the world of social media. Consider what could happen if a post
becomes widely known and how that may reflect on both you and the University. Search
engines can turn up posts years after they are created and comments can be forwarded or copied.
Graduate clinicians who share confidential or inappropriate information do so at the risk of
disciplinary action or expulsion.
The School of SLPA has a Facebook page and Twitter feed for general information,
announcements, and posts of general interest about our School. This page is not for making
personal posts or comments.
Always think about consequences when using social media or the Internet.
37
Health Forms
What do I need to know about health forms, TB tests, and immunizations?
Graduate clinicians entering our graduate programs are expected to comply with all health
requirements. This includes a physical examination by a licensed physician, current tuberculosis
(TB) test, and updated immunizations as required by State of Ohio law.
As you are entering a healthcare or educational profession, there are certain public health
requirements to which our programs expect you to adhere. All State of Ohio immunizations that
are required by State law and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) must be up to date when you enter our program. People who are not correctly immunized
pose a significant public health risk to their client/patients, co-workers and themselves.
The CDC and State of Ohio requirements are as follows: Two doses of MMR and one dose of
Tdap (Adacel). The Tdap is the most recent Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine containing the
pertussis (whooping cough) which has been on the rise. Most health care facilities and our
program also require the 3 dose Hepatitis B vaccine.
Seasonal flu shots are being required by many external clinical sites and will not accept graduate
clinicians who have not had this immunization. Flu shots are available in the Fall of each year
and can be obtained through UA Graduate clinician Health Services, the Akron Health
Department, your personal physician’s office, local pharmacies, and other flu shot clinics in the
area.
The State of Ohio has specific guidelines on all immunizations; consult with your primary care
physician or The University of Akron Student Health Center to make sure that you are up to date.
Complete information on immunizations may be found at
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/adult/mmwr-adult-schedule.pdf.
Current documentation of all immunizations and TB testing must be submitted to the program
coordinator in August of each year. You will not be permitted to begin your clinical rotations
until the documentation is provided. If a graduate clinician has commenced a clinical rotation
and these requirements are found to be undocumented or expired, he/she will not be allowed to
continue at the site until all requirements are met.
If immunizations and TB tests are not up to date, we cannot guarantee that you will be
accepted at medical and/or educational clinical rotation sites. This could impact your
timely progression through the program, prevent you from participating in a variety of
clinical experiences and ultimately prevent you from graduating.
38
Report Writing
What do I need to know about report writing?
Types of Reports:
Speech-language pathology graduate clinicians will be exposed to several types of reports
including but not limited to reports for speech-language assessments, speech-generating device
(SGD) assessments, auditory skills assessments, progress reports for therapeutic interventions,
reports to physicians, discharge summaries, and justification for service reports to third party
payers.
The type of report you are generating will dictate the content and organization of information
contained in the document. It is recommended that you spend time reviewing client files for
different types of reports, read literature which reflects current standards for report writing, and
get specific guidance from your clinical instructors on what is expected.
Content and Style:
The content and style of report writing is guided by your clinical supervisors. Reports are
expected to contain this content:
• Complete and accurate client identifying information
• Type and severity of the communication or related disorder
• Associated medical conditions
• Results of previous assessment and treatment
• Analysis and interpretation of current assessment/diagnosis
• Recommendation for further assessment, treatment or referral
• Clear justification for treatment when indicated and information on the frequency,
estimated duration, and type of service required.
• A plan of treatment including both long and short term goals
• Prognosis including statement that the diagnosis and plan of treatment have been
discussed with the client and/or family and that they are in agreement
• Signature of graduate clinician involved in the procedure and licensed/certified speech-
language pathologist
39
Student Procedures for Filing a Complaint
At the University of Akron, students have certain rights and responsibilities as stated in The University of
Akron Bylaws (3359-42-01-C2, 3359-11-13, and 3359-41-01) and in the Student Code of Conduct.
Pursuant to these rights and responsibilities, the following policy sets forth procedures for students in the
School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to follow in order to receive a fair hearing and
equity in the resolution of complaints related to their affiliation with the School. To expedite a resolution,
the procedure is designed to be initiated at the level closest to the issue. In many instances, the student
will achieve this resolution through communication with a faculty member or program advisor. However,
other levels may be incrementally involved to assist the student. To assure that a problem is fully
explored, complaints that reach the School Director level are entered into a log and tracked
through final disposition.
Level I: Program/Faculty Advisor
The appeal may be made verbally or in writing. Seek resolution of a concern or complaint at the level of
occurrence. (Example: A course-related complaint [e.g., assignment, activity, or grade] must be
discussed with the instructor prior to requesting intervention by a school director.)
Level II: School Director
The appeal must be made in writing using the Student Complaint Form. Consider an initial
resolution of a complaint at a level above the level of occurrence when there is concern with the potential
for reprisal if resolution is attempted at the level of occurrence. (Example: If the student wishes
clarification of his/her rights and fears reprisal if approaching the instructor directly with the complaint,
initial inquiry can be made to the School Director.)
Consider appealing the resolution to the complaint rendered at the level of occurrence. (Example: A
student can provide documentation or information that significantly questions the appropriateness of the
resolution at the level of occurrence and believes the complaint requires involvement of a neutral, third
party. In example #1 above, the student would appeal the decision made by the faculty member or
advisor to the School Director.)
Level III: College Level – Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
For an appeal to be addressed at this level, it must be accompanied by the completed Student Complaint
Form, signed by the School Director. At the College of Health Professions level, the final appeal resides
with the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Consider an appeal to the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs when documentation and
factual information the student can provide directly contradict the appropriateness of the resolution of the
complaint at the previous level. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs with the concurrence of the
Dean may resolve the complaint or request that the complaint be referred to the College Grievance
Committee. (Example: The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will review the appeal and enter into
fact-finding before rendering a final decision or referring the appeal to the College Grievance Committee.
Decisions of the College Grievance Committee will be conveyed to the student by the Associate Dean for
Academic Affairs.)
Level IV: University Level – Assistant Provost and Dean of Students
If the fairness of the action is still viewed by the student as unacceptable, the issue may, in most
instances, be directed to the Senior Vice-President and Provost. Complaints involving sexual harassment
40
should follow specific procedures set forth in The University of Akron Bylaws section 3359-13.
Complaints evolving from serious student misconduct may be directed to the Assistant Provost and Dean
of Students.
Should the student desire, he/she may also contact
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology
and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).
Website: http://www.asha.org/academic/accreditation/accredmanual/section8
Contact Information:
National Office Staff: 1-800-498-2071 (members) or 1-800-638-8255 (non-members)
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STUDENT COMPLAINT FORM
The University of Akron College of Health Professions
School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Date: ______________________ Student ID: ________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Telephone: ______________________ Email: _________________________
Address: _______________________ City: __________ State: ____ Zip:_______
Course: ________________________________________________________________
Faculty Member: _______________________ Meeting Date: ______________
School Director: _______________________ Meeting Date: ______________
1. If this complaint involves an instructor or supervisor have you sought resolution with that individual? _________
I have _________ I have not
2. Detailed description of the complaint (use a second page, if necessary):
Graduate clinician Signature: ______________________________ Date: ______________
SCHOOL LEVEL
Action:
School Director Signature ______________________________________ Date: ____________________
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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
What do I need to do if I want The University of Akron to provide a copy of my education
records to a third party?
Federal regulations (34 C.F.R. 99.30) state that students who wish the University to provide a
copy of their education records, in whole or in part, to a third party must consent to the release of
records in a signed and dated writing that specifies the person(s) to whom the records should be
released, the records to be released, and the purpose of the release. A writing of this nature may
be required before the University may provide a copy of student records to the student’s parents
or a potential employer. For your convenience, The University of Akron has created an
authorization form for this purpose. A copy of this form is available online at:
www.uakron.edu/ogc/docs/FERPARelease.pdf. Students may use the University’s authorization
form or draft their own writing.
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The University of Akron
Akron, Ohio 44325
330-972-7111
Authorization for Release of Information
STUDENT NAME: _____________________ DATE: ___________________________
STUDENT ID: ___________________ DATE OF BIRTH: ____________________
STREET ADDRESS: ___________________________________
CITY: ________________________ STATE: ________________ ZIP: ________
TELEPHONE NUMBER: _______________________________
I, ____________________________________, authorize The University of Akron
to release the following records (indicate records or types of records to be released),
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________, to the following individuals or organizations (name & address of
persons/organizations to receive information) _________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________ for the purpose of ____________________________________.
Confidentiality of academic records is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act. To the extent it is applicable, FERPA may protect the records being released pursuant to this request.
Any person/facility receiving authorized information may not further disclose such information without
the written consent of the person to whom it pertains.
I understand that I can revoke this authorization at any time by providing written notice to the
person/facility to whom I have instructed to release the information. I understand also that any
information released prior to revocation cannot be retrieved and neither the person/facility releasing, nor
the person/facility receiving the information will be held responsible for such.
I hereby release The University of Akron, and its employees and agents from all legal responsibilities or
liability that may arise from this act.
Release Authorized By: Witnessed By:
_____________________________ _________________________________
GRADUATE CLINICIAN SIGNATURE WITNESS SIGNATURE
_____________________________ _________________________________
Date Date
NOT VALID AFTER ONE CALENDAR YEAR
FROM DATE OF ISSUANCE
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Professional Organizations
What do I need to know about professional organizations?
There are several organizations graduate clinicians can join for professional growth and development.
NSSLHA:
NSSLHA is the National Graduate clinician Speech-Language Hearing Association. It was
founded in 1972 and serves as the national organization for graduate and undergraduate graduate
clinicians interested in the study of normal and disordered communication. It is the only official
graduate clinician association recognized by ASHA. To become a member, contact Mrs. Jenna
Day at [email protected], web site: www.nsshla.org.
OSLHA:
The Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association serves the needs of Audiologists and Speech-
Language Pathologists in the state of Ohio by providing support for professional growth, public
opportunities, awareness, and advocacy of issues related to the highest quality of care for the
individuals they serve. To become a member, graduate clinicians can contact OSLHA.
Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSHLA)
Phone: (800) 866-6742
Webiste: www.ohioslha.org
OSSPEAC:
OSSPEAC is the Ohio School Speech Pathology and Educational Audiology Coalition. It was
founded in 1994 and is a professional organization for speech-language pathologists and
audiologists employed in an educational setting in Ohio. It provides professional development,
networking, advocacy, and support to its members. Student membership is available. To
become a member, graduate clinicians can contact the OSSPEAC website at www.osspeac.org.
ASHA:
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is the professional and scientific
association for more than 96,000 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, speech, language
and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally. ASHA’s mission is to promote
the interests of and provide services for professionals and to advocate for people with
communication disabilities. Graduate clinicians can become members by contacting ASHA.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Phone: (301) 897-0148
Action Center
Phone: (800) 498-2071
Website: www.ASHA.org
Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board:
Phone: (614) 466-3145
Website: www.slpaud.ohio.gov
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Important University of Akron Contact Information
Audiology and Speech Center Administrative Assistant
330-972-6035
Audiology and Speech Center fax
330-972-7884
Audiology and Speech Center Billing Coordinator
330-972-5894
School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Administrative Assistant
330-972-6803
Graduate School Receptionist
330-972-7663
Graduate School Financial Aid
330-972-6310
Graduate School Degree Clearance
330-972-5169
College of Health Professions Dean’s Office Receptionist
330-972-7551
College of Health Professions Dean’s Office fax
330-972-5737
Accounts Payable
330-972-7200
Police Department emergency
330-972-2911
Police Department non-emergency
330-972-7123
Parking Services
330-972-7213
Campus Patrol (safety escorts on campus)
330-972-7263
IT help desk
330-972-6888
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Speech-Language Pathology Faculty Information:
FACULTY
EMAIL
TELEPHONE
ROOM NUMBER
AAC Lab
NA
330-972-2172
182G
Jeanette Benigas
[email protected]
NA
Katie Boarman
kboarm[email protected]
330-972-7186
182J
Charles Carlin
[email protected]
330-972-6556
181F
Jenna Day
[email protected]
330-972-6163
182D
Jamie Harding
[email protected]
NA
NA
Todd Houston
[email protected]
330-972-6141
183D
Telepractice lab
NA
330-972-3881
183E
Scott Palasik
spalasik@uakron.edu
330-972-8185
184G
Caitlin Perry
cperry@uakron.edu
330-972-4667
183E
Angela Reif
[email protected]
330-972-5331
183B
Cathie Richards
[email protected]
330-972-6117
184F
Susan Ruhlin
sruhlin@uakron.edu
NA
184D
Denise Wray
dwray@uakron.edu
330-972-9816
184D
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Other Important Contacts:
School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Director
Dr. James Steiger
[email protected]
Room: 181D
Phone: 330-972-8190
School of School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Academic Office
Susan Scheks, Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Room 181C
Phone: 330-972-6803
Audiology and Speech Center
Phone: 330-972-6035
Fax: (330) 972-7884
Audiology and Speech Center Business Office
Judy Horn, Billing Coordinator
[email protected]
Room 181A
Phone: 330-972-5894
Speech-Language Pathology Clinic Director
Katie Boarman
[email protected]
Room: 182J
Phone: 330-972-7186
Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Coordinator-Campus Program
Dr. Chuck Carlin
[email protected]
Room: 181F
Phone: 330-972-6556
Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Coordinator- Distance Learning
Caitlin Perry
[email protected]
Room: 183E
Phone: 330-972-4667
Emergency Procedures
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What are the emergency procedures?
University of Akron Campus Police:
330-972-7123 Non-emergency
330-972-2911 Emergency
Fire or other evacuation(s):
The following evacuation plan should be followed in case of fire or other emergency
situation in the Audiology and Speech Center.
General Procedures in Case of Fire or Other Emergencies Requiring Evacuation
The person discovering the fire or any other emergency reason to evacuate the building should
activate one of the fire alarms within the building. The fire alarms are located across from the
Audiology Testing Lab 189L, next to the SLP Treatment Room 187C, and next to the exit
leading to the Grad Room.
At the sound of the alarm the building is to be evacuated in a quick and orderly fashion
according to the emergency escape plan posted in your area.
If time allows, the person discovering the emergency should call 911 and explain the emergency
quickly and clearly. Close all doors, leaving them unlocked and proceed out of the building.
Clinicians are responsible for their clients during an emergency situation. If possible, the
clinician should quickly accompany the client to the waiting area and find the parents or relatives
so that all may exit together. If the parents or relatives have evacuated the building, the clinician
should exit by the proper exit and then attempt to locate the parents or relatives.
All personnel should meet outside the Polsky Building on the corner of Main and State streets.
Graduate clinicians and staff will receive annual instruction on the location and use of fire
extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are located across from the Faculty Office 183E and across
from the SLP Treatment Room 187C.
The Director of the Audiology and Speech Center will annually contact the University Fire
Safety Officials to have them conduct a fire safety inspection of the Center, a review of the
evacuation plan, a minimum of one fire drill per term, and an annual safety in-service.
What should I do if there is an injury?
Accident Procedure:
The following procedures should be followed if any individual is injured on University of Akron
property:
1. Determine the extent of the injuries and make the person as comfortable as possible.
2. Call or have someone call University Security at extension 911
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• Inform the dispatcher that there has been an accident at the Audiology and Speech
Center.
• If the individual is seriously injured request that the dispatcher call an ambulance.
3. Notify the Director of the Audiology and Speech Center and/or School Director of the
injury.
4. Fill out an Incident Report Form located in the file cabinet documenting the
circumstances of the accident and procedures followed. Place one copy of the report in
the client’s chart and give one copy to the Director of the Audiology and Speech Center.
5. Document the incident on the client’s contact notes.
Field Trips:
The policy of the Audiology and Speech Center is that no client can be taken out of the Center
for any reason without signed consent. The FIELD TRIP PERMISSION FORM located in the
file cabinet should be used for this purpose.
The form must be completed prior to taking the client out of the Audiology and Speech Center
and must be scanned in the client’s file. The Clinical Supervisor in charge of the case must
approve all field trips. The Clinical Supervisor should be notified prior to the day of the trip.
One of the Administrative Assistants should also be notified.
Tornado Warning:
A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been reported and could touch down within a
given area. If this occurs conditions should be carefully monitored. If the weather conditions
become threatening, occupants should move to the interior rooms or corridors. Seek shelter
away from glass windows and if possible take cover under heavy furniture.
Members of the School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology shall direct clients to
shelter locations and stay with the client until the storm has passed and weather conditions
improve.
Medical Emergencies:
In the event of a medical emergency, dial 911. Make the victim as comfortable as possible.
Give the University Police Dispatcher the following information:
• Location: The Audiology and Speech Center is located on the first floor in room 181
of the Polsky Building and state the exact location of the victim.
• Give a brief description of the nature of the emergency. (e.g. unconscious female
graduate clinician)
• If the victim is seriously injured or ill, request that the dispatcher call an ambulance.
A member of the School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, either faculty or staff,
shall stay with the victim until emergency service personnel arrive. Have available any
necessary victim information, i.e full name, emergency contacts, and phone numbers etc.
Notify the Director of the Audiology and Speech Center and/or the School Director of the
incident.
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Fill out an Incident Report Form and submit to the Director of the Audiology and Speech
Center who will copy it for the client’s or graduate clinician’s file and document on their contact
sheet when appropriate.
Utility Emergencies:
In the event of loss of primary power, the emergency generator will take over selected lighting
and other building services. If it is determined that the outage will be extensive, power will be
off for an extended period of time, or the emergency generator malfunctions, evacuation of the
building will be necessary. If the loss of building utilities forces the closing of the facility,
announcements or notifications will be made. All occupants should secure their areas, collect
their belongings, lock their offices, and proceed to leave the building. In the event the building is
closed, notices will be posted at all entrance doors. If services or classes are rescheduled to other
facilities, this notice will also be posted at all entrance doors. Emergency information is
available by dialing (330) 972-7669/ (330) 972-SNOW.
Class Cancellation:
A class cancellation will include all day and evening classes. Non-teaching employees, i.e.
administration and staff, are to report to work.
University Closed:
If the University is closed, only designated University Emergency Personnel are to report. All
campus facilities, except those needed for special operations, will be closed.
Emergency Closure:
If the University area must be evacuated due to a critical disastrous situation, all building and
campus property will be off limits to everyone except designated emergency personnel. No
other personnel will be permitted to remain on campus.
Emergency Text Messaging Service (Z-Alert):
Graduate clinicians, parents, faculty and staff can sign up for IA’s free Z-Alert text-messaging
service. Text messages will be sent when the UA campus closes or when a situation arises that
immediately affects safety. To sign up for Z-Alerts: http://www.uakron.edu/safety/z-alert.dot
Bomb Threats:
In the case a bomb threat is received by any personnel of the Audiology and Speech Center, the
following procedures should be followed. Please attempt to attain as much information as
possible.
• Record the time the call was received.
• Record the date.
• Record the exact words the caller stated.
• Obtain as much of the following information as possible:
1. When is the bomb going to explode?
2. Where is the bomb right now?
3. What kind of bomb is it?
4. What does it look like?
5. Why did you place the bomb?
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6. Who is calling?
• Describe the caller’s voice.
1. Male or Female?
2. Young, middle age, or old?
3. Accent?
4. Tone of voice?
5. Did the voice sound familiar? If so, who did it sound like?
• Record a description of any background noise.
• Record the time the caller hung up.
• Record the name, address, and telephone number of the person who received the call.
After getting as much information as possible, call the University of Akron Police at 911.
Do not evacuate the building unless instructed to do so by security or unless a bomb has been
seen. In the case of the need for evacuation, pull the fire alarm. The Clinic Secretary or Director
of the Audiology and Speech Center should also see to it that clients and clinicians are evacuated
from the audiology suites and from all therapy rooms.