11210 SUPERVISION OF CLINICAL SUPPORT STAFF

11210.1 Members of a veterinarian's clinical support staff who are not certified veterinary technicians may perform the following functions and duties only under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or a veterinary technician:

1. (a) Administration of medications topically, orally, aurally, ophthalmologically, intranasally, or rectally;
2. (b) Subcutaneous injections;
3. (c) Administration of vaccines, except that the rabies vaccine may not be administered;
4. (d) Placement of intravenous catheters;
5. (e) Administration of intravenous fluids;
6. (f) Collection of any of the following laboratory specimens: ear cytology, skin cytology, or fecal samples;
7. (g) Performance of basic procedures such as fluorescein staining, tonometry, fecal direct preparation, complete urinalysis, total protein, packed cell volume, glucometer, venipuncture, or radiographs as directed by the supervising veterinarian;
8. (h) Interpretation and input of medical notes;
9. (i) Interpretation of the supervising veterinarian's instructions and transcription into layman's terms for clients;
10. (j) Logging of the relevant controlled substances listed as part of the District of Columbia Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 1981 (D.C. Law 4-29; D.C. Official Code §§ 48-902.01 et seq.) as prescribed by the supervising veterinarian;
11. (k) Performance and enforcement of medical protocols as established by the supervising veterinarian; or
12. (l) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

11210.2 Notwithstanding any other provisions in this chapter, an animal shelter or the Animal Care and Control Agency, meeting the definition in D.C. Official Code § 8-1802, may employ clinical support staff who are not certified veterinary

technicians to perform the following functions under the general supervision of a veterinarian or a veterinary technician:

(a) Administration of previously prescribed medications topically, orally, aurally, ophthalmologically, intranasally, or rectally;

(b) Administration of previously prescribed subcutaneous injections;

(c) Administration of vaccines approved by the Department of Health and provided in accordance with a written protocol established by the supervising veterinarian;

(d) Collection of ear cytology and blood or fecal samples for laboratory testing;

(e) Interpretation and input of medical notes;

(f) Interpretation of the supervising veterinarian's instructions and transcription into layman's terms for foster parents and owners;

(g) Performance of venipuncture as directed by the supervising veterinarian; and

(h) Application of bandages (but not splints).

11210.3 The supervising veterinarian shall remain fully responsible and liable for all delegated functions and duties and all related actions performed by the clinical support staff.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 7750 (August 6, 2021).