Obtaining a license as a speech-language pathologist, audiology, or hearing aid dispenser in California comes at a significant cost. In addition to the extensive training you undergo to obtain the necessary skills and experience, you must demonstrate an understanding of the law, especially the laws governing your profession. You must also be dedicated and committed to delivering safe and professional services to everyone needing your assistance.

The Board of Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers works closely with licensed professionals for public safety and satisfaction. If any of your clients or patients are unsatisfied, they can file a complaint with the board, prompting the board to take action. This could result in sanctions like fines, suspension, or revocation of your license.

However, you can defend yourself against any allegation you could face as a licensed professional. At San Luis Obispo License Attorney, we can help you push for a fair resolution of your matter. Instead of revoking or suspending your license, we can compel the board to consider a disciplinary action that will not affect your livelihood or reputation.

Understanding the Function of Speech-Language Pathologists

The ability to speak comes naturally to a person at an early age. However, only some develop this ability as they should in childhood. Other people lose their ability to speak due to an illness, an accident, or a significant trauma. Speech therapists or speech-language therapists help these people acquire or receive this ability to communicate easily with their family, friends, colleagues, and others. This makes your services as a language pathologist invaluable to people struggling with speech problems.

The training you receive as a speech pathologist enables you to handle various disorders that impair a person’s speech. You also offer assurance to patients and families who are almost losing hope. This requires working closely with your patients and their loved ones as you develop treatment plans and apply various strategies to support them in achieving their treatment goals.

A person’s speaking ability comprises various elements, and you must have adequate training to help your patients. For example, one patient could need help with pronunciation and another with fluency or rhythm. You carefully diagnose patients to understand their needs and work with them to satisfy them.

As exciting as that could be, your work puts you at risk of conflicts, complaints, and allegations by your patients, your patients’ families, employers, or colleagues. You must be prepared for these eventualities to aggressively protect your livelihood and license.

The Function of Audiologists

A person’s ability to communicate mainly depends on how well they hear and understand communications from those around them. Thus, hearing is an integral part of communication. A person with a hearing problem will experience difficulties understanding conversations and communicating with others. Audiologists are experts who handle hearing-related issues. They also treat balance-related problems. They examine their patients for hearing problems, review their family and treatment history, and suggest the most suitable treatment to enhance communication. They can suggest hearing aids if you need assistance hearing and communicating effectively.

You cannot become a professional audiology technician without intensive training. You need years of training and retraining to obtain an audiologist license. Additionally, you must demonstrate the ability to serve your patients satisfactorily to maintain that license. If a problem arises and your licensing board no longer believes in your ability to offer safe or professional services, you can lose your license.

Complaints against you can be from a jealous colleague or a problematic patient. You can compel the board to consider the validity of the allegation against you before taking disciplinary action. With the assistance of a skilled attorney, you can also develop a fighting strategy to fight for your career.

The Function of Hearing Aid Dispensers

These professionals specialize in various devices and equipment that assist people with hearing problems. Remember that hearing is critical in communication. If a person’s hearing is severely impaired, an addictive hearing device can enhance their hearing, making communication possible.

These professionals recommend various hearing aids for patients with varying hearing issues. They diagnose and recommend treatment according to the severity of a patient’s hearing impairment. This requires adequate training and experience.

However, a dissatisfied patient can still file a complaint with your licensing board. The board also receives complaints from colleagues, employers, and the public. Whether or not the allegation is valid, it risks your livelihood. You must work on your defense to avoid losing a career in which you have invested time and money.

An experienced attorney will first determine the validity of your charges. If the charges are unsubstantiated, your attorney will compel the board to dismiss them. However, if the charges are valid and the board has compelling evidence against you, your attorney must consider other fighting strategies that could lead to a favorable result. They will aim to fight for your career and livelihood by fighting for your license.

The Function of the Board of Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispenser

This board licenses qualified speech and language pathologists, hearing device dispensers, and audiologists. It considers your training, experience, and understanding of operation standards set for professionals like you to determine your eligibility for a license. The application process for a speech therapist, audiology, or hearing aid dispenser license involves lengthy training. The board screens applicants so they can offer reliable, professional, and safe services. However, this is not the board’s primary role. Its principal responsibility is to the public.

Since the board exists primarily for the public, it must ensure that professionals serving the public interests have the right skills, experience, and attitude. You can lose your professional license if you fall short of the board’s qualification requirements. Hence, you must watch out for how you handle patients, their families, colleagues, and your employer daily to avoid issues that could lead to a lost livelihood.

The board lists qualification requirements for trained professionals who require certification to work in California. It also lists violations that could cause it to take action. It helps to familiarize yourself with these requirements so you can be careful as you discharge your duties as an audiologist,  speech therapist, or hearing aid dispenser. Additionally, the board lists possible penalties for those who commit those violations. Some penalties are lenient, and others are harsh, depending on the severity of the violation and the consequences of your actions.

The board also welcomes the public to file complaints against licensed professionals who fail to discharge their duties as they should. If you harm your patient or commit fraud, the board’s guidelines compel it to take disciplinary action. This can harm your career in many ways. For example, a lenient action like a reprimand letter can hurt your reputation, causing problems with your employer and patients. It could also create difficulties for you when seeking more clients or employment. A board’s action can also lead to a lost license, making it impossible for you to earn a living in your profession.

However, you can fight any allegation against you with the assistance of a license lawyer. You can also fight any disciplinary action by the board. Working with an experienced attorney ensures your rights are protected, and your best interests are considered during the administrative procedure. You have a better chance of obtaining a favorable outcome when working with an experienced attorney.

Violations That Could Risk Your Career

The board receives reports on licensed speech-language therapists, hearing aid dispensers, and audiologists. Some reports contain cases of discipline and criminal violations, while others contain unprofessional conduct and negligence. The board must consider every allegation or report it receives to determine its authenticity before taking action. If an allegation is unsubstantiated, the board will dismiss it without taking action. However, if there is evidence of unprofessionalism, you will be notified of a pending investigation and determination. The board will appoint administrative judges to oversee the investigations and hearings and give a final ruling.

Here are violations the board has listed on its website that could lead to an investigation and disciplinary action:

  • The use and abuse of regulated drugs or alcohol, especially if it happens while you should be working or when handling a patient
  • Committing a fraud-related crime, like insurance fraud
  • Any form of unprofessionalism with patients, colleagues, employers, or the general public
  • Hiring and supervising untrained assistants to serve at a level that requires professional training
  • Receiving or asking for kickbacks to accept or give a referral for a patient requiring specialized care
  • Receiving or asking for kickbacks to suggest a particular medication or device
  • Using misleading and false information when advertising your services or products
  • Committing any type of negligence, whether ordinary, gross, or criminal
  • Demonstrating incompetence in your profession
  • A prior or current criminal charge or conviction that affects your competence or professionalism
  • An investigation or discipline by another licensing body or government agency

If the board investigates your case, you will attend one or more hearings to defend your actions and hear the determination of the administrative judges. The board will likely take action against you if there is a reason to believe you violated your operations standards. Thus, you must prepare well for the defense to escape from a harsh penalty that could negatively impact your career. The common disciplinary actions the board uses against professionals who violate their code of ethics are as follows:

Public Citations

The board can write a citation against you, requiring you to attend a hearing with the administrative judges to explain your actions. The citation could be accompanied by a requirement to pay a fine. Although public citations do not significantly affect your livelihood, they can hurt your reputation. Additionally, your fine could be more than you can afford. You can ask your attorney to help you challenge the citation and the fine. If the board insists on the fine, your attorney can fight for a reasonable amount.

Public Reprimands

A public reprimand is also an option that the board can choose for less severe violations. However, it is also issued online and can harm your reputation. If you fear losing your patients or job due to a damaged reputation, your attorney can help you fight it.

License Probation

Sometimes, the board puts a professional on probation pending the resolution of their case to allow for a smooth investigation. This could happen if your violation is grave and the board is considering a more severe action, like permanent evocation or temporary suspension. Although you can earn a living while on probation, the probation conditions could make your work unbearable. Their limitations could also prevent you from fully discharging your duties, resulting in frustrations for you or your patients. You can ask your attorney to help you fight against the probation or for favorable probation conditions. They can also help compel the judges to issue shorter probation so you can resume the entire operation in no time.

License Suspension and Revocation

These are more severe courses of action by your licensing board. The board only suspends or revokes a license if your actions put the lives or well-being of patients at risk. For example, if your actions caused a patient to die or suffer severe bodily harm, the board will likely cancel your license.

However, the board can choose a less severe discipline like license suspension if you can rectify your behavior to offer professional and safe services in the future. For example, suppose you have a severe drug problem, and you can benefit from rehabilitation and treatment. In that case, the board can opt for suspension to allow you to receive the necessary treatment.

However, suspension and revocation are unfavorable because they temporarily or permanently remove your livelihood. Your attorney can apply their best defense strategies to ensure this does not happen.

Find a Proficient Professional License Defense Lawyer Near Me

You should act fast if you are about to lose your reputation or speech-language pathologist, audiologist, or hearing aid dispenser license due to an allegation in San Luis Obispo. The Board of Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers will not hesitate to cancel or suspend your license to protect the public. However, you can cite your excellent reputation and prior professionalism to negotiate a favorable conclusion for your case.

We offer affordable, reputable, and timely services at San Luis Obispo License Attorney for professionals like you. We can protect your rights, advise you on your options, and help you push for the best possible outcome. Contact us at 805-465-2766 for more.