Catalog Description of Program

The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant program will provide the community with professionally trained personnel to assist the speech pathologist in this specialized field and to provide services in multiple settings to a diverse population in the administration of therapeutic and screening services.  Speech-Language Pathology Assistants work directly with clients or patients to conduct screenings for speech, hearing, or language disorders. They are in direct patient/client contact providing therapeutic treatment, assistance, and documentation of progress. Assistants work closely with the pathologist to make changes in the treatment protocol as the patient improves.  Graduates of the program are eligible for State licensure through the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board.

Description of the job for whick program prepares students

Speech-Langage Pathology Assistants work under the guidelines of the Speech Pathologist in testing and therapeutic application modalities.  They provide direct treatment following specific plans and document patient/client progress.  They conduct screenings for speech, hearing, and language disorders.  Assistants work with children and adults in the clinical, educational, and medical settings.

Program goal

To provide the community professional personnel trained to assist the Speech Pathologist in this specialized field in multiple settings, to a diverse population, in the administration of therapeutic and screening services.

Required program prerequisites

          q  Allied Health 010: Health Occupations

          q  Human Development 180:  Child Development

          q  Completion of most Associate of Science general education requirements

              (See SAHP Admissions policy)

Associate of Science Degree and program graduation

All students must meet OCC Associate of Science degree requirements even though they may have degrees from other institutions.  Students should have official transcripts evaluated and should contact the OCC Counseling office to meet with a counselor to assure all requirements have been met or transfered (see college catalog).

Procedure for program admittance

Selections are made from students successfully completing Allied Health 010.  The formal application process is completed in the Allied Health 010 course.  Applicants must meet minimum acceptance criteria in completing English composition, math, and program perquisites as established by the School of Allied Health Professions.

Does this program transfer?

Program is recognized for transfer by California State University, Fullerton and California State University, Long Beach.  Students must complete minimum Option 2 Associate of Arts degree transfer requirements (see college catalog).

Program start

Fall semester of each school year.

Employment possibilities upon program completion

Educational institutions, clinics, hospitals, private offices, sales

Salary

As a new emerging field, salaries are not fully established.  Salary range is from $19 to $23/hour to start.  Graduates have reported higher starting salaries depending on the employer.

Courses within the program which students can take while seeking admission to the program (subject to catalog restrictions)

          q  Allied Health 111: Medical Terminology

          q  Allied Health 120: Human Diseases

          q  Anthropology 190: Introduction to Linguistics

          q  Early Childhood 155: Early Childhood Development through Play

          q  Early Childhood 156: Early Childhood Laboratory

          q  Early Childhood 165: Observing and Recording Child Behavior

          q  Human Development 210: Introduction to the Exceptional Child

          q  Biology 221: Human Anatomy & Physiology

Length of program

Two years, Four semesters starting in the Fall of each school year.

Spaces available

25

Background checks

All students will be required to submit an application for pre-clinical background check.  The background check will include Social Security number, address verification, a two-county felony criminal history, a State sex offender search, and a Medicare/Medicare Sanctioned Fraud List verification (OIG/GSA) search.  The background checks will be performed by a service provided by the District and must be completed prior to beginning of the first clinical rotation.  The student understands that the results of background checks must be provided to the clinical sites before patient care or clinical work commences.

Clinical requirements

The program requires that students participate in scheduled course clinical experience concurrent with classroom courses. Clinical assignments provide students with hands-on application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory courses at OCC contracted hospitals, medical centers, and/or outpatient facilities.  It is the responsibility of each student to provide his or her own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Just prior to entry into clinical students, are required to complete/obtain:

          q  A physical examination

          q  Criminal background check clearance

          q  CPR, HIPAA training, Blood borne pathogen training provided through Al H 115

          q  Student liability insurance

Students must adhere to appropriate required dress code which may include a laboratory coat, nametag, and other program specific requirements.

Clinical sites may require drug testing or other blood work.  There may be exposure to hazardous materials or pathogens in the clinical setting.  Students will adhere to all safety and precautionary measures.  The student receives no financial compensation for clinical experience, but does receive course units as a required class in the program.

Clinical assignments are arranged by the program director.  Clinical hours are as follows: First spring, 4 hours observation per week for four weeks; Fall semester, 12 hours per week; Spring semester, 16 hours per week.  Clinical hours are scheduled within the program curriculum.

Employment prospects

Excellent

Program cost

Approximately $1,400 over the two-year core program (California residents)

Accreditation of program

Accredited by the State of California

Registration

Graduates of the program are eligible for State licensure through the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board.  Registration requirements have certain legal requirements as determined by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Contact information

Anne McClanahan, Program Coordinator             Dan Adelmann, Allied Health Advisor

Office: C&L 114 E                                   Office: C&L 114 B

amcclanahan@occ.cccd.edu                             dadelmann@occ.cccd.edu

714-432-5883                                                714-432-5541
                                                                   714-432-5702 (appts)

Allied Health Program Assistant
Jane McLaughlin
jmclaughlin@occ.cccd.edu
714-432-5729