Introduced Version
House Bill 2385 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
H. B. 2385
(By Delegates Ireland, L. Phillips, R. Phillips
and Storch)
[Introduced February 13, 2013; 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, all 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, all 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.