201 Ky. Admin. Regs. 16:750

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 201 KAR 16:750 - Licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs); Veterinary assistants; Scope of practice and supervisory requirements

RELATES TO: KRS 321.175, 321.190, 321.441, 321.443

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 321.175 and 321.235 establish that the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners shall protect the public by ensuring only qualified individuals are allowed to engage in the practice of veterinary technology in the Commonwealth to promote, preserve, and protect the public health, safety, and welfare. KRS 321.441 establishes that a license is required for veterinary technicians to practice veterinary technology in the Commonwealth. KRS 321.190(1) establishes that veterinary assistants may work in the Commonwealth without a veterinarian or veterinary technician license. KRS 321.441 and 321.443 establish that licensed veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants shall be properly supervised when assisting a veterinarian with the practice of veterinary medicine. This administrative regulation sets forth the scope of practice for licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs) and veterinary assistants under various levels of veterinarian supervision to ensure the safety and welfare of animal patients, clearly define appropriate roles to be assigned by supervisors, and to provide confidence in basic care and support for clients.

Section 1. Definitions.

(1) "Direct supervision" is defined by KRS 321.181(59)(c).

(2) "Immediate supervision" is defined by KRS 321.181(59)(b).

(3) "Indirect supervision" is defined by KRS 321.181(59)(d).

(4) "Veterinarian-client-patient relationship" or "VCPR" is defined in KRS 321.185.

Section 2. General Provisions.

(1) Supervisors and supervisees are separately responsible for their own actions pursuant to KRS 321.190(7).

(2) Except as authorized by KRS 321.200, KRS 321.201, and subsection (3) of this section, the acts of surgery, diagnosis, prognosis, and prescription are limited to a veterinarian pursuant to KRS 321.190(6).

(3) Veterinary students enrolled in good standing in an approved veterinary medical program or veterinary technology students enrolled in good standing in an approved veterinary technology program may perform tasks related to curriculum advancement or preparation for a board approved national exam while under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or immediate supervision of an LVT.

(4) Persons providing clinical care to patients shall comply with the medical record keeping requirements established in KRS 321.187 and 201 KAR 16:701.

Section 3. Restrictions on the Use of Licensed Veterinary Technicians.

(1) An LVT may perform acts as assigned under the direction, supervision, and responsibility of a board-licensed veterinarian who has established and maintains a current veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with the patient and the client in accordance with KRS 312.185.

(2) The veterinarian and LVT shall comply with the record keeping requirements established in KRS 321.187 and 201 KAR 16:701.

(3) The decision about the level of supervision required by an LVT shall be at the discretion and professional judgement of the supervising veterinarian if:

(a) The supervising veterinarian is confident in the level of training and trust in the LVT; and

(b) The tasks assigned to the LVT are not otherwise prohibited by KRS Chapter 321 or 201 KAR Chapter 16 and comply with all state and federal laws.

Section 4. Patient Emergency Care Provided by LVTs.A supervising veterinarian in emergency care situations may assign to an LVT under indirect supervision, through verbal communication or in accordance with the supervising veterinarian's written protocols, the following tasks until the veterinarian is available on the premises to take over treatment:

(1) Application of tourniquets or pressure procedures to control hemorrhage;

(2) Application of appropriate wound dressings in severe burn cases;

(3) Resuscitative oxygen procedures;

(4) Anti-seizure treatment;

(5) Supportive treatment in heat prostration cases;

(6) Administer drugs to control pain and shock; or

(7) Initiate and perform CPR and provide immediate post resuscitation care, including:

(a) Administration of medication; and

(b) Defibrillation according to protocols established in writing at the veterinary facility.

Section 5. Restrictions on the Use of Veterinary Assistants.

(1) Pursuant to KRS 321.443, a veterinarian may employ a veterinary assistant and assign work at the discretion of the supervising veterinarian, except for those tasks identified in subparagraph (2) of this section, if:

(a) The veterinary assistant is under the direction, supervision, and responsibility of a board-licensed veterinarian, who has established and maintains a current Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) with the patient in accordance with KRS 321.185;

(b) The tasks assigned to the veterinary assistant are at all times:

1. Under the supervision of a veterinarian at a minimum supervisory level as established in subsections (3) through (5) of this section; or

2. Under the immediate or direct supervision of an LVT;

(c) The supervising veterinarian or supervising LVT is confident in the level of training and trust in the veterinary assistant and their ability to competently and safely perform assigned tasks; and

(d) The tasks assigned to the veterinary assistant comply with all state and federal laws.

(2) A veterinary assistant shall not be assigned the following tasks:

(a) Surgery;

(b) Diagnosis;

(c) Prognosis;

(d) Prescription;

(e) Euthanasia; or

(f) Tooth extractions of any kind.

(3) A supervising veterinarian or LVT may assign to a veterinary assistant the following tasks under immediate supervision:

(a) Regional anesthesia, including paravertebral blocks, epidurals, local blocks;

(b) Fluid aspiration from a body cavity or organ, known as centesis; or

(c) Small animal reproductive ultrasound, and semen collection.

(4) A supervising veterinarian or LVT may assign to a veterinary assistant the following tasks under direct supervision:

(a) Unless prohibited by state or federal regulation, the administration, preparation and application of treatments prescribed by a veterinarian, including:

1. Controlled substances; and

2. Enemas;

(b) Maintenance and recovery tasks following veterinarian or LVT administration of general anesthesia and sedation;

(c) Non-emergency endotracheal intubation and extubation;

(d) Imaging, including at a minimum:

1. Computed tomography (CT);

2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);

3. Radiography;

4. Ultrasonography;

5. Fluoroscopy; and

6. Administration of radio-opaque agents or materials;

(e) Floating equine teeth;

(f) Ocular tonometry, Schirmer tear test, and fluorescein stain application; or

(g) Tasks at the discretion of the veterinarian, which are not in contravention of KRS 321.190, 321.181(50), 321.443, and this administrative regulation.

(5) A supervising veterinarian may assign to a veterinary assistant the following tasks under indirect supervision:

(a) Unless prohibited by state or federal law, the administration, preparation, and application of treatments prescribed by a veterinarian, including:

1. Drugs;

2. Medications;

3. Biological and immunological agents;

4. Collection of blood; and

5. Collection and preparation of cellular or microbiological samples by skin scrapings, impressions, or other non-surgical methods;

(b) Intravenous catheterization and maintenance;

(c) Collection of urine by voided sample;

(d) Monitoring, including at a minimum:

1. Electrocardiogram (ECG);

2. Blood pressure; and

3. CO2 and blood oxygen saturation;

(e) Clinical laboratory test procedures;

(f) Handling and disposal of biohazardous waste materials;

(g) Implantation of a microchip;

(h) Laser therapy;

(i) Animal rehabilitation therapies; or

(j) Suture and staple removal.

Section 6. Patient Emergency Care Provided by Veterinary Assistants. A supervising veterinarian in emergency care situations may assign to a veterinary assistant who they employ and who is under the veterinarian's direct supervision, through verbal communication and in accordance supervising veterinarian's written protocols, the following tasks:

(1) Application of tourniquets or pressure procedures to control hemorrhage;

(2) Application of appropriate wound dressings in severe burn cases;

(3) Resuscitative oxygen procedures;

(4) Anti-seizure treatment;

(5) Supportive treatment in heat prostration cases;

(6) Administration of drugs to control pain and shock in accordance with state and federal laws; or

(7) Initiation and performance of CPR and performance of immediate post resuscitation care, including:

(a) Administration of medication; and

(b) Defibrillation according to protocols established in writing at the veterinary facility.

201 KAR 16:750

50 Ky.R. 522, 1314, 1485; eff. 4/2/2024.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 321.235(2)(b) 3.c., 321.441(3)(b)