LAC 46:LXXXV.702. Direct Supervision

A. Employees of a licensed veterinarian working under the definition of direct supervision must be employed according to the following provisions: 1. a veterinarian-client-patient relationship with the licensed, supervising veterinarian has been established; and 2. treatment is being performed on the order or prescription of the licensed, supervising veterinarian, except that no unlicensed person may perform surgery, diagnosis, prognosis, or the prescribing of drugs, medicines, or appliances; and 3. the licensed, supervising veterinarian has assumed the liability for any treatment performed. B. A Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician (CAET) as defined in §700 may perform only those tasks or procedures defined in R.S. 37:1556. C. A Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) as defined in §700 shall perform all tasks or procedures under direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, except: 1. an RVT may perform the duties listed in §702.E.1 without the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, but the RVT is required to follow the record keeping requirements found in §702.E.3; and 2. an RVT may administer medications and/or treatments to non-boarding animals (hospitalized or ill) without direct supervision by a licensed veterinarian under the following conditions: a. the licensed veterinarian must chart the precise treatment plan to be used in the animal's medical record. This treatment plan may include oral, topical, and injectable treatments, including fluid therapy; b. no diagnostic decisions or treatment changes may be made by an RVT; c. the licensed veterinarian must personally check the animal and update the treatment plan at least once every 24 hours; d. the licensed veterinarian has the ultimate responsibility for the proper diagnosis and treatment of the animal, including the work delegated to the RVT; e. the licensed veterinarian has the responsibility to verify that any person who is assigned duties under §702 is legally licensed in Louisiana as an RVT. Failure to verify this information shall be considered unprofessional conduct within the meaning of R.S. 37:1526; f. if the animal's medical condition changes, the licensed veterinarian must be available for consultation and reevaluation of the animal. D. Unlicensed veterinarians, as defined in §700, shall not practice veterinary medicine until such time as they are licensed by the state of Louisiana. An unlicensed veterinarian may only function as a veterinary assistant under direct supervision. E. A layperson shall perform all tasks or procedures under direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian under the following conditions and with the exception described in §702.E.1. 1. A layperson may administer medications to boarding animals without direct supervision by a licensed veterinarian if the medication is directed to be used orally or topically and if the licensed veterinarian has recorded the exact treatments to be given in the animal's medical record. 2. When a layperson administers medications to non-boarding animals under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, the licensed veterinarian must personally check the animal and update the treatment plan in the medical record at least once every 24 hours. 3. When a layperson administers medications, with or without direct supervision, the layperson shall keep a written record of all treatments which are performed, and that written record shall be incorporated into the animal's medical record. 4. The licensed veterinarian has the ultimate responsibility for the proper diagnosis and treatment of the animal, including the work delegated to a layperson.