Working with Communication Health Assistants in Your Practice

A Communication Health Assistant (CHA) is a therapy assistant who is not registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC, but who is employed by a Registered Speech-Language Pathologist (RSLP) or an RSLP’s employer to support the RSLP’s area of clinical practice (i.e. Speech-Language Pathology). Titles that fall under the category of CHAs may include Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs), Speech and Hearing Assistants, Speech and/or Language Assistants, and Communication Disorders Assistants (CDAs). Other occupational titles such as Education Assistants, Behaviour Interventionists, and Rehabilitation Assistants are considered CHA’s whenever they are providing services delegated by the SLP. CHA’s are not regulated. Please see POL-QA-10-Communication-Health-Assistants-Titles-and-Credentials from CHCPBC regarding the use of titles and credentials by CHAs.

A RSLP may delegate certain aspects of practice to CHAs who have adequate education, training, supervision, and who have been determined to be competent in the required skills. Appendix A of SOP-PRAC-04-Communication-Health-Assistants-Delegation-Assignment from CHCPBC has a comprehensive list of which aspects of practice can be delegated to CHAs and which cannot.

RSLPs are required to obtain informed consent from the client for all services delivered to a client; this consent should be documented (see SOP-PRAC-06-Client-Consent document from CHCPBC). In addition, consent must be obtained for the delegation of services to a CHA (see PRAC-04-Communication-Health-Assistants-Delegation-and-Assignment document from CHCPBC). Please note that, according to the SOP-PRAC-06-Client-Consent document from CHCPBC, CHAs may assist in the consent process but the RSLP is responsible for the consent process and the CHA cannot be the signatory on the consent document.

Good places to start are the internet, local library, the Chamber of Commerce and an accountant. Legal services may be valuable as well. The Chamber of Commerce can give you a package of government pamphlets for new business owners. To register your corporation you can obtain forms at BC Registry Services.

Most S-LPs in private practice are willing to spend time advising other professionals and are willing to share their expertise.

You can use your own name as your private practice name without registering it. If you use any name other than your legal name you must register the name with the government. The government will ensure you have the legal right to use that name and will ensure it is available for your use. This is a legal requirement for consumer protection. To register go to BC Registry Services.

If you choose to use a company name, you can define your service and narrow your audience, such as “West View Stuttering Clinic”. The name implies an established clinic and potentially includes more than just one employee. It may not be legal to use the name of your municipality if the municipality has protected the name (e.g. Vancouver Stuttering Clinic), so check this carefully. If the name is too specific, you may outgrow it. Many medical professionals who do some private work simply use their own name and credentials on their letterhead. Remember that your letterhead will potentially generate more referrals for you, so be sure to draw attention to your contact information (i.e. address, phone number, email, social media, etc.)

There are both financial and legal implications to consider when deciding on incorporation. This issue should be discussed with both a lawyer and an accountant to determine whether it is appropriate for your private practice.

The words “incorporated” or “limited” may only be used in the company name if you have officially incorporated. There are additional fees for this.

One advantage to incorporation is that a company may be taxed at a lower rate than an individual. It also separates the company’s assets and liabilities from your personal assets.

Key success factors for private speech-language pathologists to remember are:

• Adhere to all professional directives of the CSHHPBC, and observe all ethical and professional development standards of your professional associations, such as Speech and Hearing BC, SAC-OAC, and/or ASHA.
• Provide outstanding service which meets a need
• Base your location, scheduling and advertising on your target market
• Ensure your fees and policies compensate you fairly (see Fees section for further details)