SPA (2020) Professional Standards

Question 1

The structure of the Professional Standards includes a hierarchy of…

Answer 1

Domains, Standards and Elements

Question 2

SPA (2020) Professional Standards contain how many domains? What are they?

Answer 2

1. Professional conduct
2. Reflective practice and life-long learning
3. Speech pathology practice

Question 3

How many standards across the 3 Domains in the 2020 SPA Professional Standards?

Answer 3

20
Domain 1 - Professional Conduct -> 7 standards
Domain 2 - Reflective Practice and life-long learning -> 7 standards
Domain 3 - Speech Pathology Practice -> 6 standards

Question 4

What are the Elements in the SPA 2020 Professional Standards?

Answer 4

“We” statements that contextualise the 20 standards. For example “1. 1a. We practice competently within the limits of our scope of practice.”

Question 5

In the SPA 2020 Professional Standards, the Domain, Standards and Elements detail the knowledge, skills and attributes that must be demonstrated by all university graduates at the time of entry to the profession and demonstrated and applied by all practising speech pathologists, as relevant to the activities and services they provide, throughout their career. What are the 3 Domains?

Answer 5

1. Professional conduct (7 standards)
2. Reflective practice and life-long learning (7 standards)
3. Speech pathology practice (6 standards)

Question 6

Domain 1. Professional conduct

Standards…

Answer 6

1. 1 Provide ethical and evidence-based practice
2. 2 Comply with legislation, standards, policies and protocols
3. 3 Provide safe and quality services
4. 4 Collaborate with individuals, their supports, our colleagues and the community
5. 5 Maintain high standards of communication, information sharing and record keeping
6. 6 Consider the needs of individuals and communities in clinical decision-making and practice
7. 7 Advocate for optimal communication and swallowing

Question 7

Domain 2 - Reflective Practice and life-long learning

Standards…

Answer 7

2. 1 Demonstrate self-awareness
3. 2 Use critical reflection to guide professional development and practice
4. 3 Plan personal development goals
5. 4 Participate in professional development
6. 5 Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources
7. 6 Engage in learning with colleagues, students and the community
8. 7 Contribute to the speech pathology evidence base

Question 8

Domain 3 - Speech Pathology Practice

Standards…

Answer 8

3. 1 Develop shared understanding of speech pathology
4. 2 Assess communication and swallowing needs
5. 3 Interpret, diagnose and report on assessments
6. 4 Plan speech pathology intervention or service response
7. 5 Implement and evaluate intervention or service response
8. 6 Support development of the profession

Question 9

S Domain 1. Professional Conduct

s Standard 1.1 Provide ethical and evidence-based practice

Answer 9

a a. We practise competently within the limits of our scope of practice.
b b. We exercise informed ethical judgement consistent with the Speech PPathology Australia Code of Ethics.
c c. We use evidence-based practice principles and processes.
d d. We practise as autonomous professionals, using independent judgement ii in accordance with the profession’s knowledge base, Code of Ethics and oour individual scope of practice.
e e. We provide the individual, substitute decision makers or community with ii information on service options, their costs, evidence base and potential ririsks, benefits and outcomes to obtain informed consent.
f. f. We substantiate our decisions and take responsibility for our actions.
g g. We monitor and maintain our health and well-being for safe and effective ppractice

Question 10

Domain 1. Professional Conduct

Standard 1.2 Comply with legislation, standards, policies and protocols

Answer 10

a. We comply with government legislation, regulations and codes of c
conduct.
bb. We adhere to Speech Pathology Australia standards, policies and ppractice guidelines.
cc. We carry out our roles and manage our workload in accordance with oour workplace policies, priorities and protocols and subject to law.

Question 11

Domain 1. Professional Conduct

Standard 1.3 Provide safe and quality services

Answer 11

a. We use continuous improvement processes to guide systematic
improvements to service safety and quality.
b b. We identify, evaluate and manage risks that may result in damage, harm, li liability or loss.
c c. We use clinical governance frameworks to ensure safe and quality
practice when we delegate tasks.
d d. We benchmark our practice, processes and outcomes against practice guidelines and the performance of other services.
e e. We contribute to evaluating service provision outcomes against service g goals.
f. f. We contribute to a learning environment in which our colleagues and s
students feel safe and supported to develop their skills, innovate and p
practise new approaches.
g g. We demonstrate digital literacy across practice areas and tasks.

Question 12

Domain 1. Professional Conduct

Standard 1.4 Collaborate with individuals, their supports, our colleagues and the community

Answer 12

a. We use person-centred, family-centred and community-centred
approaches, as relevant to the context.
b b. We engage in interprofessional collaborative practice to achieve
respectful partnerships across disciplines and provide safe, high-quality,
coordinated services.
c c. We develop partnerships with individuals, communities, leaders and
Elders to plan, develop, implement and monitor speech pathology
practice.
d d. We address conflict and respond to differences in perspectives in a
proactive, respectful and timely manner.

Question 13

omain 1. Professional Conduct

Standard 1.5 Maintain high standards of communication, information sharing and record keeping

Answer 13

a. We use accurate, accessible communication to respond to the needs of individuals and communities in all circumstances.
b. We work with interpreters, translators and support workers, including cultural support workers, to facilitate service delivery for individuals and communities in their preferred language and mode of communication.
c. We gain informed consent from individuals, substitute decision-makers, family or extended family for information sharing and practice.
d. We maintain the confidentiality and privacy of individuals and communities in accordance with our professional duties and the law.
3. We recognise and respond when it is necessary to share information to safeguard individuals and the community in accordance with our professional duties and the law.
f. We maintain accurate, timely, complete and secure records of practice.

Question 14

omain 1. Professional Conduct
Standard 1.6 Consider the needs of individuals and communities in clinical decision-making and practice

Elements…

ϒ Examples include gender-based roles and responsibilities, the role of kinship systems and traditional healing practices.

Answer 14

a. We provide culturally safe and responsive services that acknowledge cultural and linguistic diversity in the communities and of the individuals we serve.
b. We adapt our practice to respond to the influence of personal history, culture, language and social background on optimising the communication and swallowing goals of individuals and communities.
c. We are guided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to respond to their shared identity as well as the differences in history, culture, language and traditions across nations, communities, families and individuals.ϒ

Question 15

omain 1. Professional Conduct
Standard 1.7 Advocate for optimal communication and swallowing

Elements…

Ƿ Vulnerability and disadvantage may arise from a wide range of circumstances. Examples include socioeconomic disadvantage; living in a rural or remote community; being a member of a minority group based on ethnicity, culture, faith and beliefs, language, sexuality or gender; experiences of physical or mental illness, disability, trauma, imprisonment, being a refugee, etc.
Ʊ For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, the consequences of the colonisation of Australia are ongoing due to intergenerational trauma and poorer health outcomes, resulting from systematic discrimination and institutional racism; experiences of violence and exploitation; a dramatic decline in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population; loss of connection to country, culture and language; forced removal of children; epidemics of contagious disease; and intersectional disadvantage. These issues present additional barriers to inclusion and access to services, particularly in relation to experiences of cultural safety and trust.

Answer 15

a. We advocate for the role of the speech pathology profession and the needs of individuals and communities to employers, the community, legislators, policymakers and funders.
b. We promote the human right to freedom of opinion and expression as stated in Article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights4 and Article 21 of The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.5
c. We partner with individuals and communities to advocate for the rights of all people to optimise their communication and swallowing.
d. We collaborate with those experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, individuals and communities to advocate for speech pathology services.Ƿ
e. We collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities to advocate for and work towards equitable outcomes and development and delivery of speech pathology services that respond to contemporary needs, recognising community and cultural strengths and the ongoing impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma that may affect health and well-being.Ʊ

Question 16

Domain 2. Reflective practice and life-long learning
Standard 2.1 Demonstrate self-awareness

E Elements…

Answer 16

aa. We can describe our own cultural identity, values, and personal biases and the culture of the system in which we work.
b. We demonstrate awareness of our personal and professional abilities and limitations and how they develop and change over time and across contexts.

Question 17

Domain 2. Reflective practice and life-long learning
Standard 2.2. Use critical reflection to inform professional development and practice

E Elements…

Answer 17

aa. We use our awareness of our personal and professional abilities and limitations to inform our scope of practice, our professional development needs and our participation in professional supervision and mentoring.
b. We develop our reasoning and decision-making through critical reflection on our practice at an individual, team, organisational and policy level.
c. We reflect on and integrate insights into our practice regarding
- the social, political, legal, cultural and organisational context of our work
- the influence of culture, language and social background on experiences of communication and swallowing goals and needs
- the impact of historical and current injustices, culture and language in our practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Question 18

Domain 2. Reflective practice and life-long learning
Standard 2.3. Plan personal development goals

E Elements…

Answer 18

a. We establish, review and revise goals for our professional development, informed by insights from self-reflection; feedback from others; current and emerging evidence, policies and community priorities; and workplace practices and priorities.
b. We develop a plan to progress our professional development goals.
c. We advocate for our professional development needs.

Question 19

Domain 2. Reflective practice and life-long learning
Standard 2.3. Participate in professional development

E Elements…

Answer 19

a. We participate in professional development, supervision and/or mentoring to develop knowledge and skills relevant to our roles and to maintain currency.
b. We engage in developmental opportunities, supervision and mentoring to enable responsive and reflective services that meet the preferences and needs of people from diverse cultural, language and social backgrounds.

Question 20

Domain 2. Reflective practice and life-long learning
Standard 2.5. Acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from a range of sources

E Elements…

Answer 20

a. We acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from different sources to develop and inform our practice, including
- contemporary theory
- research, practice, evidence, outcomes, knowledge and experiences of individuals and their supports, and community members, leaders and Elders
- speech pathology colleagues and colleagues from other disciplines
- cultural, ethical, legal, policy and organisational knowledge and requirements.
b. We recognise limitations in the speech pathology evidence base relevant to our areas of practice.

Question 21

Domain 2. Reflective practice and life-long learning
Standard 2.6. Engage in learning with colleagues, students and the community

E Elements…

Answer 21

a. We participate in reciprocal learning with our speech pathology colleagues, colleagues from other disciplines, students, service users, their families and social networks, and community members, leaders and Elders

Question 22

Domain 2. Reflective practice and life-long learning
Standard 2.7. Contribute to the speech pathology evidence base

E Elements…

Answer 22

a. We generate possibilities for advancing practice by challenging ideas, asking questions and being open to opportunities.
b. We share the outcomes of quality evaluations and service benchmarking with stakeholders.
c. We participate in research that contributes to the evidence base of the profession.
d. We engage in ethical, inclusive and rigorous research.
e. We plan and conduct research and share research outcomes in collaboration with individuals, their families and social networks, as well as community leaders, Elders and organisations representing diverse cultural, language and social backgrounds.
f. We ensure research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities responds to local priorities, is planned with and led by community members, and ensures community access, input and influence over how the results are used.

Question 23

Domain 3. Speech pathology practice
Standard 3.1.

E Elements…

Answer 23

a. We work with individuals, communities and professionals to develop knowledge and shared understanding of
- the scope of speech pathology practice
- the anticipated functional, activity and participation outcomes of speech pathology services
- ways to support optimal communication and swallowing for every individual

Question 24

Domain 3. Speech pathology practice
Standard 3.2. Assess communication and swallowing needs

E Elements…

Answer 24

a. We seek information (within the bounds of informed consent) from a range of sources to understand
- the individual’s or community’s strengths and reasons and goals for seeking speech pathology services
- the history and current status of communication and/or swallowing needs and concerns
b. We use each contact with the individual and/or community to contribute to ongoing individual assessment or community needs assessment.
C. We assess and consider the communication and swallowing goals and needs of the individual and/or community with respect to
- body structures and functions, and/or
- performance and capacity in activities and participation
- opportunities for prevention and promotion strategies and initiatives
- facilitators and barriers in the social and physical environment.
d. We assess the needs of the individual, the individual’s community and/or the community in partnership with colleagues, other services and supports, and/or community members, leaders and Elders.

Question 25

Domain 3. Speech pathology practice
Standard 3.3. Interpret, diagnose and report on assessments

E Elements…

Answer 25

a. We use clinical reasoning to synthesise assessment findings and formulate a diagnosis or description.
B. We use evidence to inform our understanding of why a need exists and to identify factors that may contribute to possible outcomes.
c. We integrate the input of the individual, family and community members, leaders and Elders, other colleagues, other disciplines and organisations as needed.

Question 26

Domain 3. Speech pathology practice
Standard 3.4 Plan speech pathology intervention or service response

E Elements…

Answer 26

a. We identify communication and/or swallowing intervention or service response options relevant to the identified goals.
b. We design an intervention or service response plan informed by a range of options, such as
- delivering individual, community, targeted, and/or universal/systemic intervention or service responses.
- developing the knowledge and skills of communication and mealtime partners within families, social networks, services and the community
- implementing prevention and promotion strategies and initiatives
- considering enablers and barriers in the social and/or physical environment
- using a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary practice approach
- delegating to and liaising with support workers
- providing consultative support to other colleagues and services
- providing face-to-face service delivery and synchronous and asynchronous telepractice
- advocating for and implementing change in the social and physical environment, including political and systemic advocacy
- working with services, community groups and organisations.
c. We identify how intervention or service response outcomes will be measured.
d. We adjust plans over time informed by assessments, changing goals, current needs and outcomes of interventions or service responses.

Question 27

Domain 3. Speech pathology practice
Standard 3.5 Implement and evaluate intervention or service response

E Elements…

Answer 27

a. We implement the agreed intervention or service response that is responsive to the capability and progress of the individual or community.
b. We collect, record, analyse and share date to evaluate
- the fidelity of the intervention or service response
- the appropriateness of the goals, plans and approaches being used
- the progress towards and acquisition of individual and community goals
- the timing of and engagement with other services and supports as needed
- when the intervention or service response will be complete
c. We continually refine goals and modify the implementation of the intervention or service response to meet the needs of the individual or community.
d. We provide counselling within the scope of the speech pathology role in relation to communication and swallowing and refer to other professionals as required.

Question 28

Domain 3. Speech pathology practice
Standard 3.6. Support development of the profession

E Elements…

Answer 28

a. We participate in activities and provide education and/or practice-based learning opportunities to develop and advance the future speech pathology workforce and profession.
b. We contribute to building a diverse workforce.