“Asynchronous”- Interactive transmission of data occurring bi-directionally in real time and: 

• When applied to telepractice, not requiring the patient and the provider be available at the same time. Examples of such communication, also known as "store-and-forward" transmission, include e-mails, faxes, recorded video clips, audio files, and virtual technologies and e-learning programs; or
• When applied to supervision of aides/assistants, not requiring the aide/assistant supervisor and the aide/assistant be available at the same time. Examples of such communication, also known as "store-and-forward" transmission, include e-mails, faxes, recorded video clips, audio files, and virtual technologies and e-learning programs.

“Board” - The Montana Board of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

“Certificate of Clinical Competence”- A current certificate issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

“Department” – The Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

“Facilitator” - A trained individual who is physically present with the patient and facilitates telepractice at the direction of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist. A facilitator may be but is not limited to an audiology or speech-language pathology aide or assistant.

“Patient” - A consumer of services from an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, including a consumer of those services provided through telepractice.

“Practice of Speech-Language Pathology” - Nonmedical diagnosis, assessment, and treatment services relating to speech-language pathology as provided by board rule.

“Professional Experience Supervisor”- The Montana licensed speech-language pathologist who supervises the holder of a Montana limited license during the supervised professional experience as described in statute and these rules. The professional experience supervisor must have:

• A Montana license in good standing; and
• Been licensed for at least two years, excluding any period of licensure under a limited license.

“Speech-Language Pathologist” - A person who practices speech-language pathology and who meets the qualifications set forth in this chapter. A person represents to the public that the person is a speech-language pathologist by incorporating in any title or description of services or functions that the person directly or indirectly performs the words "speech pathologist", "speech pathology", "speech correctionist", "speech corrections", "speech therapist", "speech therapy", "speech clinician", "speech clinic", "language pathologist", "language pathology", "voice therapist", "voice therapy", "voice pathologist", "voice pathology", "logopedist", "logopedics", "communicologist", "communicology", "aphasiologist", "aphasiology", "phoniatrist", "language therapist", "language clinician", or any similar title or description of services or functions.

“Speech-Language Pathology Aides/Assistants” - Classified in one of the following categories:

• “Aide/assistant I” A person who holds an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders or has successfully completed a post-baccalaureate program in communication sciences and disorders; and
• “Aide/assistant II” A person who does not hold an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders.

“Supervision of Aide/Assistant” - Observation and guidance by the supervising licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist while a clinical activity is performed by the speech-language pathology or audiology aide/assistant and may include the following:

• Observation of a portion of the screening or treatment procedures performed by the aide or assistant;
• Coaching the aide or assistant; and
• Modeling for the aide or assistant.

“Synchronous” - Interactive transmission of data occurring bi-directionally in real time and:

• When applied to telepractice, requiring the patient and the provider be available at the same time. Examples of such communication include videoconferencing, remote control software application, computer applications, e-mail, and self-monitoring/testing model (which refers to the patient who receives the services and provides data to the provider without a facilitator present at the site of the patient); or
• When applied to supervision of aides/assistants, requiring the aide/assistant supervisor and the aide/assistant be available at the same time. Examples of such communication include videoconferencing, remote control software application, computer applications, and e-mail.

“Telepractice” - The practice of audiology or speech-language pathology by an audiologist or speech-language pathologist at a distance through any means, method, device, or instrumentality for the purposes of assessment, intervention, and consultation.

Reference

Mont. Code Ann. § 37-15-102

Mont. Admin. R. 24.222.301