WEST virginia legislature
2021 regular session
Introduced
House Bill 3053
By Delegates Foster, J. Pack and Steele
[Introduced March 10, 2021; Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then 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 veterinary nurse technicians, defining the requirements to become a veterinary nurse technician; and clarifying the scope of practice for veterinary technician nurses.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 10. VETERINARIANS.
§30-10-10. Requirements for a registered veterinary technician nurse.
(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) (1) Have a
degree in veterinary technology from an accredited school, approved by the
board;
(3) (2) Have passed the VTNE (Veterinary
Technician National Examination) examinations required by the
board;
(4) (3) Be at least 18 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) (4) 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 under this article and may
renew pursuant to the provisions of this article
§30-10-11. Scope of practice for registered veterinary technician nurse.
(a) A registered
veterinary technician nurse 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 nurse 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 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; and
(10) Perform laboratory procedures.
(c) A veterinary technician nurse 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 nurse shall
immediately take steps to secure the general supervision of a veterinarian.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to define the requirements and scope of practice for veterinary nurses.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.