Speak Out August 2020 DIGITAL EDITION

Introducing the new Professional Standards to members and the speech pathology profession

Speech Pathology Australia is excited to introduce the new Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia (Professional Standards). The Professional Standards were developed over two years, and are the result of significant input and consultation with the Speech Pathology Australia membership and stakeholders. The Professional Standards will be officially introduced during Speech Pathology Week 2020 and apply to all speech pathologists from 1 January 2021. The Professional Standards recognise the broad and expanding scope and the diversity of roles within the profession. The Professional Standards highlight speech pathologists have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of communication and swallowing and communication and swallowing needs, throughout an individual’s lifespan. The Professional Standards emphasise speech pathologists support every individual’s right to optimal communication and swallowing. Notably, the Professional Standards detail: • the knowledge, skills and attributes a speech pathologist practising in Australia must demonstrate and apply, at any point in their career, as relevant to their speech pathology role and work context, • the knowledge, skills and attributes a graduating speech pathology student must demonstrate and be able to apply by the time they complete their entry-level degree. The Competency Based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists – Entry Level (CBOS) has been a core document for a number of Association functions, including accreditation of university courses, assessment of overseas qualified speech pathologists and the re-entry program for speech pathologists wishing to return to practice after a career break. The CBOS will continue to be the reference document for many Association functions until a formal transition process is implemented. More information regarding the transition processes can be found on the Professional Standards page, and via the Learning Hub. As part of the official introductions the Professional Standards team will host a series of live Q&A sessions in August and September to answer your queries on the new Professional Standards. Keep a look out for session times and more detail surrounding the Q&A sessions on the SPA website and under the Professional Education Learning Hub tab. “It has been a team effort to get this important document ready to be introduced to the profession, and includes significant input from the Professional Standards Advisory Committee, the

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee, the Competency Standards Advisory Committee, Young Futures consultants and leadership and direction from Association management, the Professional Standards team and the Speech Pathology Australia Board. Most importantly, the Professional Standards are a result of the consultation and feedback received from the Association's membership, throughout 2018 and 2019,” said Chief Executive Officer, Gail Mulcair. “We (the Association) look forward to sharing the milestone introduction of the Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia with the membership and the broader profession during Speech Pathology Week 2020.” If you have any specific queries you would like to discuss with respect to the introduction of the new Professional Standards, please contact the Manager, Professional Standards Stacey Baldac, sbaldac@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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August 2020 | Speak Out