G.S.90-187.6. Veterinary technicians and
veterinary employees
(a) "Veterinary
technicians", "veterinary student interns", and "veterinary
student preceptees", before performing any services otherwise prohibited to
persons not licensed or registered under this Article, shall be approved by and
registered with the Board. The Board shall be responsible for all matters
pertaining to the qualifications, registration, discipline, and revocation of
registration of these persons, under this Article and rules issued by the
Board.
(b) The services of a
technician, intern, preceptee, or other veterinary employee shall be limited to
services under the direction and supervision of a veterinarian. This employee
shall receive no fee or compensation of any kind for services other than any
salary or compensation paid to the employee by the veterinarian or veterinary
facility by which the employee is employed. The employee may participate in the
operation of a branch office, clinic, or allied establishment only to the
extent allowable under and as defined by this Article or by rules issued by the
Board.
(c) An employee under
the supervision of a veterinarian may perform such duties as are required in
the physical care of animals and in carrying out medical orders as prescribed
by the veterinarian, requiring an understanding of animal science but not
requiring the professional services as set forth in G.S. 90-181(6)a. In
addition, a veterinary technician may assist veterinarians in diagnosis,
laboratory analysis, anesthesia, and surgical procedures. Neither the employee
nor the veterinary technician may perform any act producing an irreversible
change in the animal. An employee, other than a veterinary technician, intern,
or preceptee, may, under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, perform
duties including collection of specimen; testing for intestinal parasites;
collecting blood; testing for heartworms and conducting other laboratory tests;
taking radiographs; and cleaning and polishing teeth, provided that the
employee has had sufficient on-the-job training by a veterinarian to perform
these specified duties in a competent manner. It shall be the responsibility of
the veterinarian supervising the employee to ascertain that the employee
performs these specified duties assigned to the employee in a competent
manner. These specified duties shall be
performed under the direct supervision of the veterinarian in charge of
administering care to the patient.
(d) Veterinary student
interns, in addition to all of the services permitted to veterinary
technicians, may, under the direct personal supervision of a veterinarian,
perform surgery and administer therapeutic or prophylactic drugs.
(e) Veterinary student
preceptees, in addition to all of the services permitted to veterinary
technicians and veterinary student interns, may, upon the direction of the
employing veterinarian, make ambulatory calls and hospital and clinic
diagnoses, prescriptions and treatments.
(f) Any person
registered as a veterinary technician, veterinary student intern, or veterinary
student preceptee, who shall practice veterinary medicine except as provided
herein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, subject to the penalties set forth in
this Article and shall also be subject to revocation of registration. Any
nonregistered veterinary employee employed under subsection (c) who practices
veterinary medicine except as provided under that subsection shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties prescribed in G.S. 90-187.12.
(g) Any veterinarian
directing or permitting a veterinary technician, intern, preceptee or other
employee to perform a task or procedure not specifically allowed under this
Article and the rules of the Board shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject
to the penalties set forth in this Article or General Statutes, or both.
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