COMPASS®
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COMPASS®: Competency Assessment in Speech Pathology, or COMPASS®, is a competency based assessment tool designed to validly assess the performance of speech pathology students in their placements. COMPASS® is unique as it was developed according to sound educational principles and psychometrically validated as a result of a 4 year national collaborative research program.
The judgement of the student’s competency is recorded by placing a mark on the rating line in the booklet for each of the eleven competencies. The eleven competencies assessed by the COMPASS® are a combination of two closely interrelated sets of competencies. The first set of four competencies rated are the “Generic Professional Competencies”. These competencies underpin the performance of the second set of seven occupational or CBOS competencies in the assessment booklet.
Generic Professional Competency Units
Unit 1: Reasoning
1.1 Uses effective thinking skills to ensure quality speech pathology practice;
1.2 Integrates collaborative and holistic viewpoints into professional reasoning;
1.3 Uses sound professional reasoning strategies to assist planning for all aspects of service management
Unit 2: Communication
2.1 Uses interpersonal communication skills to facilitate the effective practice of speech Pathology;
2.2 Uses oral and written reporting and presentation skills to successfully meet speech pathology objectives;
2.3 Communicates effectively with work teams.
Unit 3: Lifelong Learning
3.1 Reflects on performance;
3.2 Structures own learning/professional development;
3.3 Demonstrates an appropriate attitude to learning;
3.4 Able to change performance.
Unit 4: Professionalism
4.1 Displays appropriate organisational skills;
4.2 Conducts self in a professional manner;
4.3 Discharges administrative responsibilities appropriately;
4.4 Possesses a professional attitude/orientation;
4.5 Demonstrates ethical behaviour.
CBOS 2001 Competencies
CBOS Unit 1: Assessment
1.1 Establishes and documents the presenting communication and/or swallowing condition and issues; identifies the significant other people in the client’s life and collates information on the client;
1.2 Identifies the communication and/or swallowing conditions requiring investigation and the most suitable manner in which to do this;
1.3 Administers speech pathology assessment relevant to the communication and/or swallowing information required;
1.4 Undertakes assessment within the ethical guidelines of the professional and all relevant legislation and legal constraints, including medico-legal responsibilities.
CBOS Unit 2: Analysis and Interpretation
2.1 Analyses and interprets speech pathology assessment data;
2.2 Identifies gaps in information required to understand the client’s communication and swallowing issues and seeks information to fill those gaps;
2.3 Determines the basis or diagnosis of the communication and/or swallowing issues or condition and projects the possible outcomes;
2.4 Reports on analysis and interpretation;
2.5 Provides feedback on results of interpreted speech pathology assessments to the client and/or significant others and referral sources, and discusses management.
CBOS Unit 3: Planning of Speech Pathology Intervention
3.1 Uses integrated and interpreted information (outlined in Unit 2) relevant to the communication and/or swallowing issues, and/or the service provider’s goals to plan speech pathology intervention;
3.2 Seeks additional information required to plan speech pathology intervention;
3.3 Discusses long-term outcomes and decides, in consultation with client, whether or not speech pathology strategies are appropriate and/or required;
3.4 Selects speech pathology program or intervention in conjunction with the client and significant others;
3.5 Establishes goals for intervention;
3.6 Defines roles and responsibilities for the management of the client’s swallowing and/or communication condition and issues;
3.7 Documents speech pathology intervention, plans, goals, outcomes, decisions, and discharge.
CBOS Unit 4: Speech Pathology Intervention
4.1 Establishes rapport and facilitates participation in the speech pathology intervention program;
4.2 Implements speech pathology intervention program based on speech pathology assessment, interpretation and planning;
4.3 Undertakes continuing evaluation of speech pathology intervention and modifies intervention program as necessary;
4.4 Documents progress and changes in speech pathology intervention;
4.5 Undertakes management and implementation within the ethical guidelines of the profession and all relevant legislation and legal constraints, including medico-legal responsibilities.
CBOS Unit 5: Planning, Maintaining and Delivering Speech Pathology Services
5.1 Responds to service provider’s policies;
5.2 Uses and maintains an efficient information management system;
5.3 Uses service provider’s electronic systems;
5.4 Manages workload;
5.5 Updates, acquires and/or develops resources;
5.6 Consults and coordinates with professional groups and services;
5.7 Demonstrates adherence to professionally accepted scientific principles in work practices;
5.8 Collaborates in research initiated and/or supported by others;
5.9 Participates in evaluation of speech pathology services.
CBOS Unit 6: Professional, Group, and Community Education
6.1 Identifies the practice of speech pathology in a range of community contexts;
6.2 Develops, contributes to, and maintains professional and team based relationships in practice contexts;
6.3 Undertakes preventative, educational and or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals;
6.4 Demonstrates an understanding of principles and practices of clinical education.
CBOS Unit 7: Professional Development
7.1 Upholds the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics;
7.2 Continues professional development;
7.3 Demonstrates an awareness of formal and informal networks for professional development and support and a capacity to develop them;
7.4 Develops personal growth and professional identity as a speech pathologist.
To find out more about COMPASS® resources and activities select the links below.
