Synopsis of the Recently Passed Scope of Practice for Veterinary Assistants
Chapter 700-15, Rule 700-15-.01 through 700-15-.04
Purpose: The purpose of the chapter is to outline the supervision responsibilities for veterinary assistants and outline the supervision required when veterinary assistants are assigned animal care tasks.
Main Features: The main features of the chapter are to outline the supervision responsibilities for veterinary assistants and outline the supervision required when veterinary assistants are assigned animal care tasks.
700-15-.01 Immediate Supervision
A duly licensed veterinarian is responsible to assure that the following tasks being performed by veterinary assistants is under immediate supervision:
• surgical assistance
• maintenance of anesthesia
• application of splints and slings
700-15-.02 Direct Supervision
A licensed veterinarian is responsible to assure that the following tasks being performed by veterinary assistants is under direct supervision:
• intravenous catheterizations
• collection of blood for diagnostic purposes; collection of feces: collection of urine by expression; collection and preparation of tissue, cellular, or microbiological samples by skin scrapings, impressions, or other non-surgical methods except when in conflict with government regulations
• dental procedures including, but not limited to the removal of calculus, soft deposits, plaque and stains; the smoothing, filing, and polishing of teeth; or the floatation or dressing of equine teeth
• routine laboratory test procedures
• radiology assistance
• assisting any duly licensed veterinarian in the measuring of quantities of medication, but excluding the dispensing, compounding, or mixing of drugs
700-15-.03 Indirect Supervision
Animal Patient Care
A duly licensed veterinarian is responsible to assure that the following tasks being performed by veterinary assistants is under indirect supervision:
• administration and application of treatments, drugs, medications and immunological agents by oral, parenteral and injectable routes (subcutaneous, intramuscular, and patent intravenous catheter), excluding rabies vaccine for animals required to receive a rabies vaccine by Georgia law
• grooming procedures and non-invasive skin (topical) treatment
• handling of biohazardous waste materials
Emergency Care
Under conditions of an emergency, veterinary assistants may render the following life-saving aid and treatment after identifying himself/herself as a veterinary assistant:
• application of tourniquets and/or pressure bandages to control hemorrhage
• administration of parenteral fluids shall only be performed after direct communication with a duly licensed veterinarian, and such veterinarian is either present or enroute to the location of the distressed animal
• resuscitative procedures
• application of temporary splints or bandages to prevent further injury to bones or soft tissues
• application of appropriate wound dressings and external supportive treatment in severe wound and burn cases
• external supportive treatment in heat prostration cases
700-15-.04 Restrictions
A veterinary assistant is not permitted to do the following:
• make any diagnosis or prognosis
•prescribe any treatments, drugs, medications, or appliances
• perform surgery
• administer a rabies vaccine to an official vaccinate
• identify himself/herself as a veterinarian technician