Off camera Flash hand held pole

I was wondering if anyone know about a pole that a remote flash would attach to. I have seen a couple of dvd with photography assistant hold the remote flash on a pole high over the subjects head. I was wondering if it was just a monopod of if there is a specific device that is made to hold the remote flash by the assistant. Sound like a stupid question, but I haven't seen anything in my internet search for this device (pole that holds flash and softbox).

Thanks, Tracy