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PURPOSE:

The purpose of the certificate of competence is to recognize those individuals who consider the Modified Barium Swallow Study as a rehabilitative study and not simply as a pass/fail or feed/don’t feed study.

This certificate is voluntary and different than the specialty offered through the Specialty Recognition Board in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders. The specialty through the Board in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders does not include a thorough examination of swallow disorders from videoflurooscopy. The certificate of competency offered through Northern Speech specifically examines this area in detail. Applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in three areas all based on videofluoroscopy:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Swallowing Disorders
• Treatment Planning

There will be two separate certificates of competency: One for adults and one for infants and children. Participants can choose one or both. There will be separate examinations for each certificate of competency.

SKILLS TO BE ASSESSED:

1. Identification of swallow anatomy in the oral cavity, pharynx and cervical esophagus.
2. Identification of oral and pharyngeal swallow disorders.
3. Knowledge of evidence-based treatments for specific oral and pharyngeal swallow disorders.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION:

1. Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
2. Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
3. One year of professional experience with major focus in swallowing and swallowing disorders following awarding of Certificate of Clinical Competence.

CERTIFICATION PROCESS:

Application


1. Application form can be downloaded on this website. We expect the registration and application forms to be available soon. Please check back periodically for updates...
2. Mail application form, copy of Master's Degree diploma, copy of Certificate of Clinical Competence, and proof of one- year clinical experience to Northern Speech Services PO Box 1247, Gaylord, MI 49734.

Examination


1. NSS will contact all applicants regarding approval status.
2. If Application is approved NSS will request payment to be sent to NSS.
3. Once payment is received NSS will provide applicant with an access code to take the examination on the NSS website.
4. Participants will be given four hours to complete the examination. Pilot participants averaged two hours to complete the examination.
5. Participants are required to score 80% or higher on the examination to receive Certificate of Competence.
6. NSS will notify participants of examination score within 30 days of test completion.
7. Participants passing the examination will receive Certificate of Competence in the mail from NSS. Awardees names will be posted on the NSS website in a section marked "Certificate of Competency Members in X-Ray Reading."

Participants who fail examination


• Participants who fail to score 80% on examination will be given the opportunity to re-take the examination three additional times at no charge within three months of initial examination.
• Participants who fail to score 80% or higher on their fourth try can reapply to take the examination again six months after their fourth failed attempt. The fee to begin the process over would be $150.

RECERTIFICATION:

Participants who are granted certification will be required to renew their competency status every six years.

CERTIFICATION COSTS:

• Fee: $300
• Examination re-take fee: $0
• Retake fee after four failures: $100
• Renew certificate of competence every six years: $200

CERTIFICATE STATEMENT:

There are two certificates of competence that can be obtained:

Adults: Certificate of Competence in Reading and Interpreting Adult Videofluorographic Swallow Studies

(name) has demonstrated the ability to interpret videofluorographic swallow studies and the ability to plan evidence-based treatments from videofluoroscopy. Recognition is also given to acknowledge the ability to incorporate evidence-based rehabilitation procedures during the videofluorographic swallow study.

Pediatric: Certificate of Competence in Reading and Interpreting Pediatric Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies

(name) has demonstrated the ability to interpret videofluoroscopic swallow studies of infants and children and to plan evidence-based therapeutic intervention. Recognition is also given to acknowledge the ability to incorporate evidence-based intervention procedures during the videofluoroscopic swallow study.

The recipient of this certificate has demonstrated the ability...

1. To recognize aspiration as a symptom/sign of an underlying anatomic and/or physiologic abnormality of swallowing.
2. To distinguish symptoms of dysphagia form causes of dysphagia.
3. To match swallowing disorders with evidence-based treatments that remediate swallowing disorders.

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS:

Dr. Jeri A. Logemann, Ph.D., is the Ralph and Jean Sundin Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and Professor of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery and Neurology at Northwestern University Medical School – Chicago, Illinois. She directs the Voice, Speech and Language Service and Swallowing Center at Northwestern University Medical School/Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Logemann received all of her degrees at Northwestern, including a two-year postdoctoral appointment. Dr. Logemann's research interests include the management of voice disorders, normal swallowing physiology, the assessment and treatment of speech and swallowing dysfunction in treated head and neck cancer patients and neurologically impaired individuals, and in the development of randomized clinical trials.

She has received NIH funding for her research in the area of normal swallowing physiology and speech and swallowing disorders for the past 20 years. She is co-author of Fisher-Logemann Test of Articulation Competence, author of Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders and Manual for the Videofluorographic Study of Swallowing, and is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language Association (ASHA) and the Chicago Medical Society. Dr. Logemann was also President of ASHA in 1994 and in 2000. Dr. Logemann was also the recipient of Honors of the Association from ASHA in November, 2003..

Joan C. Arvedson, PhD, BC-NCD, BRS-S, is Program Coordinator of Feeding and Swallowing Services at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She is Clinical Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Arvedson received her BS, MS, and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has two books in publication: Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding: Assessment and Management, 2nd edition (with L. Brodsky, MD) and Pediatric Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies: A Professional Manual with Caregiver Guidelines (with M. Lefton-Greif, PhD). She has given workshops and seminars on the topic of swallowing and feeding disorders in infants and children throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and South America. Her patient care, teaching and research are focused in these areas.

MATERIALS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR TESTING:

1. Interpretation of Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies of INFANTS & CHILDREN: Manual & DVD
2. Interpretation of Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies of ADULTS: Manual & DVD
3. Web-based continuing education seminars on NSS website.
4. Text: Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders by Dr. Jeri A. Logemann.

NSS will post more information, including the date application process will begin, on this website soon. Please check back periodically.