D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-11208

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Rule 17-11208 - SCOPE OF PRACTICE

11208.1

A veterinary technician shall not prescribe medication for or perform surgery, diagnosis, or prognosis on any animal.

11208.2

A veterinarian supervising a veterinary technician may delegate certain functions and duties to a veterinary technician in accordance with this section and only as consistent with the training, experience, and ability of the veterinary technician. The supervising veterinarian shall remain fully responsible and liable for all delegated functions and duties and all related actions performed by the veterinary technician.

11208.3

A supervising veterinarian may delegate the following functions and duties to a veterinary technician to be performed only under the veterinarian's direct supervision:

(a) Intraperitoneal injections;

(b) Administration of intravenous chemotherapy medications;

(c) Provision of sterile surgical assistance;

(d) Skin stapling and suturing of existing surgical skin incisions; or

(e) Placement of urinary catheters.

11208.4

A supervising veterinarian may delegate the following functions and duties to a veterinary technician to perform, at a minimum, under the veterinarian's indirect supervision:

(a) Intravenous injections;

(b) Intramuscular injections;

(c) Cystocentesis;

(d) Induction and maintenance of anesthesia (inhalation or injection);

(e) Intubation;

(f) Urinary bladder expression;

(g) Surgical scrub preparation such as clipping and cleaning with an antiseptic;

(h) Extraction of single-rooted, mobile teeth; or

(i) Application of bandages or splints.

11208.5

A supervising veterinarian may delegate the following functions and duties to a veterinary technician to perform, at minimum, under the veterinarian's general supervision:

(a) Administration of medications topically, orally, aurally, ophthalmologically, intranasally, or rectally;

(b) Subcutaneous injections;

(c) Administration of all vaccines, except rabies, which requires direct or indirect supervision of the veterinarian;

(d) Placement of intravenous catheters;

(e) Administration of intravenous fluids;

(f) Collection of any of the following laboratory specimens: venipuncture, ear cytology, skin cytology, or fecal samples;

(g) Performance of basic procedures such as fluorescein staining, tonometry, fecal direct preparation, complete urinalysis, total protein, packed cell volume, glucometer, venipuncture, or radiographs as directed by the supervising veterinarian;

(h) Interpretation and input of medical notes;

(i) Interpretation of the supervising veterinarian's instructions and transcription into layman's terms for clients;

(j) Logging of the relevant controlled substances listed as part of the District of Columbia Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 1981, (D.C. Law 429; D.C. Official Code §§ 48-902.01 et seq.) as prescribed by the supervising veterinarian;

(k) Performance and enforcement of medical protocols as established by the supervising veterinarian; or

(l) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

11208.6

Notwithstanding the requirements of §§ 11208.4(i) and (j), and 11208.5(c), a veterinary technician employed by and performing his or her job duties for an animal shelter or the Animal Care and Control Agency, meeting the definition of D.C. Official Code § 8-1802, may perform the following duties under a veterinarian's general supervision and in accordance with the standardized protocols established by the veterinarian-in-charge:

(a) Application of bandages (but not splints); or

(b) Administration of the rabies vaccine.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-11208

Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 7717 (8/6/2021)