Ordering Ionizing Radiation for the Purposes of Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies (VFSS)

Many SLPs will be aware that for several years the College and our Advanced Practice Advisory Group have been working toward an advanced authorization that would allow a subset of SLPs with experience in dysphagia to independently refer for ionizing radiation for the purposes of VFSS.

Although we have received support for this initiative from external stakeholders, including other health profession regulatory colleges and Alberta Health, our regulations have not yet been amended to allow for this authorization.

Currently this course is being offered for professional development purposes only. Once we receive notification from government that the advanced authorization has been granted, we will incorporate an examination that will be required if you want to obtain the authorization. Additional requirements such as currency hours in dysphagia will also be required. We will keep members apprised as we hear any updates regarding our regulations.

This course was developed by Dr. Catriona Steele and members of her lab in Toronto. There are 9 modules in total, taking approximately 5 hours to complete. Topics include:

  • Prevalence of dysphagia
  • Scope of practice
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Indicators and protocols for VFSS
  • Alternatives to VFSS
  • When to choose VFSS
  • Technical components of VFSS
  • Contrast agents, and
  • Radiation safety

You do not have to complete all modules and knowledge checks in one sitting.

Participants who complete the course will be awarded a certificate of completion for their records.

Cost of the course is $99 and cannot be shared across participants.

To access registration, click here or on the “Courses” box at the top right-hand corner of this page. This will take you to a page with a description of the course. When you click on the title, you will be taken to the intro page and given the option to “take this course”. This will take you to the payment screen. You will need to complete all billing details and will then be provided with a username and password to obtain access to the modules.

The College would like to extend our thanks to the dedicated volunteers who have contributed countless hours of their time and expertise to this project- Cynthia Brown, R.SLP, Dr. Stuart Cleary, R.SLP, Kevin Lindland, R.SLP, and Denise Sorensen, R.SLP. Please contact deputyregistrar@acslpa.ca with any questions.