Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
Title 172 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE
Chapter 180 - PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY
Section 172-180-004 - STANDARDS OF SUPERVISION

Universal Citation: 172 NE Admin Rules and Regs ch 180 ยง 004

Current through September 17, 2024

The following delegated tasks may be performed under the indicated level of veterinarian supervision.

004.01 LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICHIANS. Veterinary technicians may perform the following tasks provided the supervising veterinarian makes a physical examination of the patient being treated.

004.01(A) TASKS WHICH REQUIRE IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION.
(i) Dental extraction not requiring sectioning of a tooth or the resectioning of bone; or

(ii) Assist veterinarian in surgery by tissue handling and instrument handling.

004.01(B) TASKS WHICH REQUIRE DIRECT SUPERVISION.
(i) Induction of anesthesia;

(ii) Euthanasia;

(iii) Blood or blood component collection, preparation and administration for blood transfusions; or

(iv) Dental procedures limited to the following procedures only:
(1) Removal of calculus, soft deposits, plaque, and stains;

(2) Smoothing, filing, and polishing of teeth; or

(3) Flotation or dressing of equine teeth.

004.01(C) TASKS WHICH REQUIRE INDIRECT SUPERVISION.
(i) Perform preliminary physical examination;

(ii) Obtain history regarding an animal patient;

(iii) Client education;

(iv) Administration and application of treatments, drugs, oxygen therapy, medications and immunological agents by parenteral and injectable routes (subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and intravenous), except when in conflict with government regulations;

(v) Initiation of parenteral fluid administration;

(vi) Intravenous catheterizations;

(vii) Radiography including settings, positioning, processing and safety procedures;

(viii) Electrocardiogram (EKG);

(ix) Collection of urine by expression, cystocentesis, or catheterization;

(x) Collection and preparation of tissues, cellular, or microbiological samples by skin scraping, impressions, or other non-surgical methods, except when in conflict with government regulations;

(xi) Routine laboratory test procedures;

(xii) Supervision of the handling of biohazardous waste materials;

(xiii) Application of bandages and wound management; or

(xiv) Patient vital sign monitoring.

004.02 UNLICENSED VETERINARY ASSISTANTS. An unlicensed veterinary assistant may perform under the indicated level of supervision the following tasks provided the supervising veterinarian makes a physical examination of the patient being treated.

004.02(A) TASKS WHICH REQUIRE IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION.
(i) Assist veterinarian in surgery by tissue handling and instrument handling.

004.02(B) TASKS WHICH REQUIRE DIRECT SUPERVISION.
(i) Assist with the following radiology procedures:
(1) Patient positioning; or

(2) Operation of x-ray machine after obtaining training in radiation safety as required by 172 NAC 93.

(ii) Administer crystalloid fluid therapy through an established IV catheter;

(iii) Collection of blood specimens; or

(iv) Patient vital sign monitoring.

004.02(C) TASKS WHICH REQUIRE INDIRECT SUPERVISION.
(i) Collection of voided urine specimens;

(ii) Collection of fecal specimens;

(iii) Perform automated blood tests or commercial ELISA tests;

(iv) Obtain history regarding an animal patient;

(v) Perform preliminary physical examination;

(vi) Client education; or

(vii) Administration and application of treatment and drugs, medications and immunological agents by topical, oral, rectal, intramuscular and subcutaneous injectable routes, except when otherwise prohibited by law.

004.03 EMERGENCY AID OR TREATMENT. During an emergency a licensed veterinary technician or unlicensed veterinary assistant may render the following life-saving aid and treatment:

(A) Application of tourniquets or pressure bandages to control hemorrhage;

(B) Administration of pharmacological agents and parenteral fluids only when performed after direct communication with a licensed veterinarian and the veterinarian is either present or enroute to the location of the distressed animal;

(C) Resuscitative procedures;

(D) Application of temporary splints or bandages to prevent further injury to bones or soft tissues;

(E) Application of bandages, appropriate wound dressings and external supportive treatment in severe wound and burn cases; or

(F) External supportive treatment in heat prostration cases.

004.04 TASKS RESERVED FOR A VETERINARIAN. Licensed veterinary technicians or unlicensed veterinary assistants are not permitted to do any of the following:

(A) Make a diagnosis or prognosis;

(B) Prescribe any treatment, drugs, medications or appliances;

(C) Perform surgery; or

(D) Administer rabies vaccine.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Nebraska may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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