SECTION 775:25-1-4. Supervision Requirements

(a)   Each licensed veterinarian shall provide direct supervision of any registered veterinary technician, employed assistant or Supervised Doctor of Veterinary Medicine ("SDVM") who are involved with their practice of veterinary medicine. A licensed veterinarian may delegate only those acts within the practice of veterinary medicine that are allowed by law to be delegated and which are consistent with that person's training, experience and professional competence.

(1)   When a licensed veterinarian is not on the premises, said licensed veterinarian shall have in place written instructions or a written hospital/clinic policy for follow up treatment of the animal patient, provided that the animal has been examined by the supervising veterinarian at such time as good veterinary medical practice requires.

(2)   Reserved

(b)   A licensed veterinarian may delegate the procedures referenced by and in accordance with Subchapter 7 of Chapter 10 of these rules to any registered veterinary technician.

(c)   While the licensed veterinarian is physically on the premises they may delegate the following to any registered veterinary technician or employed assistant under direct supervision as defined in 59 O.S. Section 698.2:

(1)   inducing anesthesia by inhalation or intravenous injection;

(2)   applying casts or splints;

(3)   performing dental extractions; or,

(4)   administering controlled dangerous substances or veterinary prescription drugs, subject to a veterinary-client-patient relationship having been previously established and if the licensed veterinarian is not on the premises, previously written orders must be in place for the administration of such drugs.

(d)   Under direct supervision a licensed veterinarian may delegate any of the following to any SDVM;

(1)   any act of diagnosis or prognosis;

(2)   performance of any surgical procedure;

(3)   inducing anesthesia by inhalation or intravenous injection;

(4)   applying casts or splints;

(5)   performing dental extraction's.

(6)   suturing existing skin incisions;

(7)   prescribing, dispensing and administering controlled dangerous substances, veterinary prescription drugs or vaccinations. The prescribing, dispensing, and administering of controlled dangerous substances may only be performed after a federal (DEA) controlled dangerous substance certificate and a state Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug certificate has been procured by the certificate holder (SDVM).

(e)   In emergency life saving situations where a licensed veterinarian is not on the premises, a SDVM, registered veterinary technician or an employed assistant who possesses the appropriate training, experience and professional competence may perform the following treatments:

(1)   apply tourniquets and/or pressure bandages to control hemorrhage;

(2)   administer pharmacological agents to prevent or control shock, including parenteral fluids, provided that the SDVM or employee has direct communication with a licensed veterinarian. When direct communication cannot be established with respect to this paragraph (e), a SDVM or competent employed assistant may provide emergency care in accordance with pre-established written instructions provided by their employer veterinarian(s);

(3)   initiate resuscitative oxygen procedures;

(4)   establish open airways including intubation appliances but excluding surgery;

(5)   perform external cardiac resuscitation;

(6)   apply temporary splints or bandages to prevent further injury to bones or soft tissues;

(7)   apply wound dressings and external supportive treatment for severe burns; and

(8)   provide external supportive treatment in thermal injury cases.

[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 1437, eff 5-11-00; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 1830, eff 7-1-03; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1718, eff 7-1-08; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 960, eff 4-30-09]