Certification Statement

It has come to our attention that erroneous information is being given to
Speech Language Pathologists regarding DPNS certification. To correct
any misinformation being given to SLPs, the company’s policy over the
past fifteen years has been and remains:

Certification is granted to a qualified speech language pathologist upon
completing attendance in a duly accredited ASHA/Speech Team, Inc.
sponsored workshop. The workshop attendee must demonstrate organic
knowledge of the swallow process and dysphagia, & demonstrate, under
trainer observation, clinical skills in the application and assessment
of DPNS techniques.”

Upon completion of the three-day intensive workshop, the attendee is
presented with a certificate verifying their clinical competence to use
DPNS in the treatment of patients.
         CERTIFICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE TRAINING
                   PRIVILEDGES FOR THE CERTIFIED SLP.
Any subsequent superficial training of an SLP denies the “trainee” of a
competent knowledge base for organic assessment of dysphagia and
appropriate development of the DPNS treatment protocol (2.2 CEU/22
hour training program). Patient care is compromised. Further, any
such attendee is not registered on the National DPNS Database.

The Speech Team, Inc. maintains an International & National DPNS
Database of Certified SLPs. The National DPNS Database is routinely
utilized by companies verifying SLP skill levels during recruitment, &
by surveyors during reviews, or incidental/other investigations.
SLPs have been cited for giving “patient treatments for which the
clinician has not received appropriate training,” nationally. This
company assists in investigations conducted by state boards of
licensure, JCAHO, and state/federal surveys.

These criteria for clinical competence are in compliance with Medicare
Law, the OBRA Guidelines (law), and all states’ Public Safety Laws.

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