21 NCAC 64 .1104             AUTHORIZED TASKS OF AUDIOLOGY ASSISTANTS

(a)  An audiology assistant may engage in the following direct patient services:

(1)           Obtaining partial or selected case history information from patients and families;

(2)           Administering audiologic screening protocols, as directed by the supervising audiologist. These screening procedures, including tests and checklists or parts of tests and checklists, shall have the purpose of determining the need for further diagnostic testing by the supervising audiologist and must meet the following criteria:

(A)          have administration protocols and methods;

(B)          consist of test items that require no more than a binary judgment (i.e., yes-no, present-absent, pass/refer);

(C)          require no more than a specifically-elicited single response; and

(D)          require no clinical interpretation by the assistant;

(3)           Preparing or positioning patients for evaluation or treatment following guidelines of the supervising audiologist and of the facility;

(4)           Basic hearing device repair and trouble shooting;

(5)           Assistance with procedures related to the fitting and dispensing of hearing devices, not to include cerumen management. Ear mold impressions must be conducted with the supervision of an audiologist;

(6)           Instructing patients in care and use of devices dispensed by the supervising audiologist; and

(7)           Providing services previously mentioned through telehealth to extend access to clinical care.

(b)  Subject to Paragraph (c) of this Rule, an audiology assistant must engage in the following indirect patient services:

(1)           Reporting any workplace conduct that appears to be unethical in violation of Section .0300 of this Chapter or illegal to the supervising audiologist or to the Board of Examiners;

(2)           Requesting assistance from the supervising audiologist, as needed, in order to ensure continuous service quality;

(3)           Observing universal precautions and safety procedures; and

(4)           Releasing patients only to the care of care-givers of record.

(c)  Direct patient services for evaluation as set forth in Paragraph (a) of this Rule are not within the approved scope of responsibilities for assistants who are not Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationists (COHC). Audiology assistants who are not COHC may assist in the evaluation of both pediatric and adult patients, but only under the supervision of the supervising audiologist who is present in the room and attending to the assistant's activities 100 percent of the time. Audiology Assistants who are COHC may conduct unmasked pure-tone audiometry under supervision by the licensee for adult patients. Direct patient services to children under the age of 21 years old are not within the approved scope of activities for assistants unless under the supervision of the supervising audiologist who is physically present in the room and attending to 100 percent of the assistant's activities.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-298.1; 90-304(a)(3);

Emergency Adoption Eff. April 24, 2020;

Temporary Adoption Eff. June 26, 2020;

Eff. June 1, 2021.