Bill Text: WV HB2753 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

West Virginia House Bill 2753 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to the requirements for and scope of practice for registered veterinary technicians

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 6-3)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-11 - To House Government Organization [HB2753 Detail]

Download: West_Virginia-2012-HB2753-Introduced.html

H. B. 2753

(By Delegates Ireland, Longstreth, L. Phillips,

Hall, R. Phillips, Canterbury, Storch,

Snuffer and Savilla)

[Introduced January 11, 2012

; referred to the

Committee on Government Organization.]

A BILL to amend and reenact §30-10-10 and §30-10-11 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the requirements for and scope of practice for registered veterinary technicians.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That §30-10-10 and §30-10-11 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 10. Veterinarians

§30-10-10. Requirements for a registered veterinary technician.

(a) To be eligible for a registration to practice veterinary technology under the provisions of this article, the applicant must:

(1) Be of good moral character;

(2) Have a degree in veterinary technology from an accredited school approved by the board or the functional equivalent;

(3) Have passed the examinations required by the board;

(4) Be at least eighteen years of age;

(5) Be a citizen of the United States or be eligible for employment in the United States;

(6) Not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

(7) Not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction within five years preceding the date of application for registration which conviction remains unreversed; and

(8) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction at any time if the offense for which the applicant was convicted related to the practice of veterinary technology or animal abuse or neglect.

(b) A person seeking registration under the provisions of this article shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and pay all applicable fees.

(c) A person registered to practice veterinary technology issued by the board prior to July 1, 2010, shall for all purposes be considered registered is registered for all purposes under this article and may renew pursuant to the provisions of this article.

§30-10-11. Scope of practice for registered veterinary technician.

(a) A registered veterinary technician may do the following under general supervision:

(1) Administer anesthesia, including induction, intravenous sedation and maintenance and recovery from anesthesia;

(2) Perform dental prophylaxis;

(3) Establish open airways;

(4) Administer resuscitative oxygen procedures;

(5) Administer resuscitative drugs in the event of cardiac arrest;

(6) Administer immunizations that are not required by law to be administered by a licensed veterinarian;

(7) Prepare or supervise the preparation of patients for surgery;

(8) Assist the veterinarian in immunologic, diagnostic, medical, chemotherapeutic and surgical procedures; and

(9) Perform external suturing.

(b) A registered veterinary technician may do the following under either general or indirect supervision:

(1) Perform diagnostic imaging;

(2) Perform intravenous catheterization;

(3) Administer and apply medications and treatments, including vaccinations, by oral, intramuscular, intravenous and subcutaneous routes;

(4) Apply bandages;

(5) Perform cardiac and respiratory monitoring;

(6) Perform appropriate procedures to control bleeding;

(7) Apply temporary splints or immobilizing bandages;

(8) Perform ear flushing;

(9) Collect specimens including, but not limited to, by oral, intramuscular, intravenous and subcutaneous routes and bodily fluids and secretions; and

(10) Perform laboratory procedures.

(c) A veterinary technician may, without supervision, use emergency treatment procedures when an animal has been placed in a life threatening condition and immediate treatment is necessary to sustain the animal's life. The registered veterinary technician shall immediately take steps to secure notify a veterinarian and obtain the general or indirect supervision of a veterinarian.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to add language to West Virginia Code §30-10-10 and §30-10-11, clarifying the requirements for and scope of practice of registered veterinary technicians.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.