Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 19 of 1982)RulesRules relating to the Practising of Para-Veterinary Profession of Veterinary Nurse2. Services pertaining specially to the Profession of Veterinary Nurses |
General Services
| (1) | For the purposes of the Act the following services shall be deemed to be services, which pertain specially to the para-veterinary profession of veterinary nurse that may be performed outside the scope of a veterinary practice; They may be performed from a veterinary nurse’s registered facility without direct or indirect veterinary supervision, but on referral from or in consultation with the patient’s veterinarian, or from a registered veterinary facility under the direct or indirect supervision of a veterinarian: |
| (a) | Basic animal care including but not limited to, the clipping of nails and beaks in birds, the clipping of nails in dogs and cats, husbandry, feeding and hygiene; |
| (b) | Urinary catheterisation of male and female companion animals, if no sedation is required; |
| (c) | Collection of blood specimens for monitoring purposes, if no sedation is required; |
| (d) | The administration of medicines per os, intranasally, into the eye or ear, and by injection subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously, intraperitoneally to patients, as provided and prescribed by the referring veterinary professional; |
| (e) | Vaccinations, limited to the signing of a vaccination record; |
| (f) | Maintenance of all equipment used, including compliance with all health and safety requirements; |
| (g) | Supervision of animals giving birth and caring for new-born animals, including assisting to alleviate basic dystocia; |
| (h) | Semen collection; |
| (i) | Lancing of abscesses, follow up wound care, placing of dressings and bandages, including Robert Jones and modified Robert Jones bandages; |
| (j) | The taking of specimens and samples for the diagnosis by a veterinarian of Brucellosis in animals and the testing of animals for Tuberculosis by means of the intradermal tuberculin test, including interpretation of the test, provided that the veterinary nurse has passed a relevant course accredited by the Department of Agriculture; |
| (k) | The administration of enemas, if no sedation is required; |
| (l) | Animal behaviour consultations; and |
| (m) | Physical rehabilitation, limited to acute phase and post-operative care. |
| (2) | For the purposes of the Act the following services shall be deemed to be services, which pertain specially to the Para-Veterinary profession of Veterinary Nurse that may only be rendered under the direct or indirect supervision of a veterinarian, at a registered veterinary facility: |
| (a) | Professional dental scaling and polishing, as well as simple extractions under direct supervision of a veterinarian; |
| (b) | The administration of pre-medication and the induction, maintenance and monitoring of anaesthesia, including local anaesthesia (excluding nerve blocks and epidurals), under supervision of a veterinarian; |
| (c) | The collection and preparation of specimens within a veterinary nurse’s scope of practise, including skin scraping, the collection of urine by means of cystocentesis and catheterisation of male and female companion animals and production animals, the collection of blood and vaginal smears, impression smears and sheath washing in bulls, including skin punch biopsies and superficial fine needle aspirates; |
| (d) | The examination, recording and reporting findings to a veterinarian of specimens and samples, including haematology and blood chemistry, urine examination, stool examination, skin and scraping examinations, rumen fluid examination and examinations in which the Woods lamp is used; |
| (e) | The correct taking and developing of radiographs with permanent identification which includes the identity of the animal and owner, practise identity, date and indication of left and right, assistance with diagnostic imaging, maintenance of diagnostic imaging apparatus and record keeping (Imaging logbook shall be kept listing the identity of the animal and owner, numerical number, exposure figures and anatomical position) of diagnostic imaging; The use of self-adhesive labels for the identification of radiographs is not permissible; Other diagnostic imaging modalities like CT, MRI and nuclear scintigraphy under supervision;— |
| (f) | The passing of stomach -, naso-oesophageal –naso-gastric and oesophagostomy tubes; |
| (g) | Intravenous catheter placement and the infusion of fluids and blood including the collection of blood for transfusion; |
| (h) | Placement of central lines under direct supervision of a veterinarian; |
| (i) | Intra-cardiac injection for euthanasia, provided that it may only be performed on a heavily sedated, anaesthetised or comatose patient as a last resort; |
| (j) | Superficial suturing and placing of drains; |
| (k) | Cat castrations under direct supervision of a veterinarian; |
| (l) | Dispensing of medicines in accordance with relevant legislation, provided that any schedule 1 and higher medicine may only be dispensed on direct instruction of a veterinarian; |
| (m) | Maintenance of equipment including but not limited to anaesthetic machines, imaging equipment, sterilisation equipment and any other specialised equipment, including all health and safety aspects/requirements; |
| (n) | Assisting a person registered to practice a veterinary profession with surgical procedures; and a veterinary nurse may also assist a person practising a veterinary profession with any other service, which such person may perform if such assistance is rendered under supervision or direct continuous supervision of that person. |
| (3) | A veterinary nurse shall perform the services referred to in rule 2(2) only during the course of his or her employment or under contract by— |
| (a) | a person registered to practise a veterinary profession; or |
| (b) | a person employing a person registered to practise a Veterinary profession. |