Registered Veterinary Technician Job Tasks

Authorized Tasks Performed By

Registered Versus Unregistered Persons

 

What are the RVT only job tasks and what is the difference between what an RVT can do versus a layperson? What are the responsibilities of the employing/supervising veterinarian? Who determines what tasks can be done and what level of supervision is required? What tasks can RVTs perform outside the veterinary hospital? What if I do not have an RVT on staff? The following article is designed to provide information and resources to answer these critical questions.

 

The laws within the Business and Professions Code and the California Code of Regulations govern the practice of veterinary medicine in California and allow veterinarians to utilize registered veterinary technicians (RVT) and unregistered personnel to perform a wide range of auxiliary animal health care tasks. There is a legal divisional line separating those tasks that may be performed by licensed veterinarians, RVTs and unregistered assistants (laypersons). In California, there are now five tasks that are identified as “RVT only” job tasks. Regardless of the number of years a layperson works in a veterinary hospital, the only way they can be authorized to perform RVT only job tasks is to take the state licensing examination and become registered. Other than the RVT tasks specifically outlined in law, it is the veterinarian who determines whether an RVT or layperson is competent to perform non-restricted veterinary tasks.

 

In medicine, tasks are intentionally segmented out and restricted by law based on potential for harm. The higher potential for harm, the higher level of accountability. The California law is written intentionally to restrict certain duties to specific licensed or registered persons. Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and laypersons have been granted a limited right to perform certain auxiliary animal health care tasks only at the direction of and under the direct or indirect supervision and control of a licensed veterinarian. Direct supervision means the veterinarian is present and available. Indirect supervision means the veterinarian is not present.

 

Unregistered Assistants – Laypersons

Laypersons working in a veterinary hospital, unlike veterinarians and RVTs, are not required to possess any state-verified education, training, qualifications or skills. The state and the consuming public, as a result, are wholly dependent upon the assessment made by the veterinarian of the competency of the layperson to perform a given animal health care task. This aspect of veterinary medicine is unusual. No other health care profession allows a layperson to engage in such a broad range of health care tasks without state licensure or certification.

 

Laypersons are not allowed to perform any of the functions restricted exclusively to veterinarians and/or RVTs.  For practices that do not have an RVT on staff, a veterinarian must perform the RVT job tasks. Other than the RVT job tasks, laypersons are authorized to engage in a host of activities including supportive roles in the surgical process, the administration of a number of treatment modalities and rendering of certain preventive health procedures. The degree of supervision required by the veterinarian over a layperson is required by law to be equal to or higher than the degree of supervision required when an RVT performs the same task. Laypersons may perform tasks under either direct or indirect supervision of a veterinarian or under the direct supervision of an RVT. However, when performing tasks under indirect supervision, laypersons are restricted to performing those tasks within the animal hospital setting.

 

Operating Radiographic Equipment

California law, under the Health and Safety Code, requires the employing/supervising veterinarian to provide radiation safety training to all persons operating radiographic equipment. By way of their registration, RVTs are authorized to operate radiographic equipment under the indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Laypersons may operate radiographic equipment, but only under direct supervision of either a veterinarian or an RVT and after proper training.

 

To assist veterinarians in complying with training requirements for lay staff, the California Registered Veterinary Technician Committee (RVTC) has produced a Radiation Safety Guide and Examination that is published at the end of the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. Prior to allowing laypersons to operate any radiographic equipment, veterinarians should require them to read the Guide and take the Radiation Safety Examination. By retaining the results of the examination within the personnel records, the employing/supervising veterinarian can document that training has taking place.

 

Registered Veterinary Technicians

In California, there are five legally restricted job tasks for RVTs that RVTs can perform only under DIRECT supervision of a California licensed veterinarian. Laypersons may NOT perform these tasks at any time or under any circumstances.

 

Section 2036, of the California Code of Regulations, outlines the specific RVT-only tasks:

(b) An RVT may perform the following procedures only under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

• Induce anesthesia;
• Appy casts and splints;
• Perform dental extractions;
• Suture cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues, gingival and oral mucous membranes;
• Create a relief hole in the skin to facilitate placement of an intravascular cathether.

 

Other than the tasks listed above, veterinarians can authorize RVTs, under indirect supervision, to provide all other prescribed treatments either in the animal hospital setting or in off premise settings such as the client’s home. RVTs may also perform animal health care services on those animals impounded by a state, county, or city agency pursuant to the direct order, written order or telegraphic order of a veterinarian licensed or authorized to practice in California.

 

Authorization To Provide Emergency Care

Because of the special training and qualifications of an RVT, the Legislature also provided that RVTs may render life-saving aid and treatment to an animal independently without direct or indirect supervision of a veterinarian under emergency conditions. The emergency authorization includes, but is not limited to, the administration of pharmacological agents to prevent or control shock, including parenteral fluids after direct communication with a licensed veterinarian or veterinarian authorized to practice in California. In the event that direct communication with a supervising veterinarian cannot be established, the RVT may administer pharmacological agents to prevent or control shock, including parenteral fluids, in compliance with established written protocols if such protocols exist. “Emergency,” for the purpose of this discussion, means that the animal has been placed in a life-threatening condition where immediate treatment is necessary to sustain life.

 

RVT Eligibility Criteria

The certification process requires that the RVT candidate undergo certain prescribed educational and practical training to establish eligibility for the state examination. California offers a variety of eligibility categories in addition to graduation from an accredited RVT school. RVTs are tested by the state to assure possession of requisite qualifications and skills. Certification for veterinary technicians, much like licensure for veterinarians, creates certain affirmative expectations on the part of the veterinarian that justifies reliance on the RVT’s knowledge, training and education in the performance of delegated animal health care tasks.

 

It is the licensed veterinarian’s legal responsibility to know the laws governing their license in California and to be aware of the different levels of authority for RVTs versus laypersons for purposes of delegation of tasks and supervision. Before delegating any task, the licensee must be familiar with the RVT job tasks and the laws regarding delegation and supervision of RVTs and laypersons. Aiding and abetting unlicensed activity through inappropriate delegation of tasks is a violation of the California Veterinary Medical Practice Act and can result in action against the supervising licensee.

 

To be familiar with the laws and regulations governing the practice of veterinary medicine in California, every practice should have at least one current copy of the California Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. Copies of the Practice Act can be purchased from LexisNexis by calling

               1-8...       

or on the Board’s web site on the home page at www.vmb.ca.gov.

 

For information regarding proper utilization of RVTs and/or lay staff, please visit the Board’s web site at www.vmb.ca.gov, or call the office at

                              

               (916) 263-2610        

                

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