Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 19 of 1982)RulesRules relating to the Practising of Para-Veterinary Profession of Animal Health Technician2. Services pertaining specially to the Animal Health Technician Profession |
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 an animal health technician that may be rendered in employment to the State or under the supervision of a veterinarian: |
| (a) | Surveillance and inspection of all animals, and where relevant the reporting of all diseases listed by the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE), where relevant; |
| (b) | Formulation and implementation preventative measures, including biosecurity measures, in animals, in order to prevent, and/or control animal diseases; |
| (c) | Formulation and implementation of parasite control programmes in animals; |
| (d) | To carry out abattoir inspections, audits at abattoirs & processing plants and report to the relevant authorized veterinary professional/authorities in accordance with relevant legislation; |
| (e) | Registration and renewal of abattoirs, promote upgrading of abattoirs, facilitate and encourage the establishment of new abattoirs in disadvantaged areas in accordance with relevant legislation; |
| (f) | To carry out abattoir inspections and report in writing to the Veterinary Public Health Directorate/s of the National and Provincial Departments of Agriculture in respect of essential national standards, provided that the Animal Health Technician is trained to perform such a task; |
| (g) | To carry out meat inspections and other duties under the relevant legislation, if authorized/delegated thereto by the Provincial executive officer and have undergone training on meat inspection; |
| (h) | Perform delegated duties pertaining to regulated animal diseases, listed under the relevant animal disease control legislation, including the various eradication schemes, including but not limited to the: |
| (i) | Brucellosis eradication scheme or any animal disease declared as a controlled or notifiable disease in the country; |
| (ii) | Collecting of samples or specimens for testing of diseases for the diagnosis to be made by a veterinarian; and |
| (iii) | Conducting of testing of animals for tuberculosis by means of an intradermal tuberculin test, including interpretation of the test, provided that the animal health technician passed an accredited course; |
| (i) | Extension services (including training and education) to protect and promote the health and well-being of animals and humans; |
| (j) | The collection, capturing and evaluation of data and the compiling of reports; |
| (k) | The collection of specimens to assist in the investigation of reproductive and fertility related problems in animals on referral by a veterinarian, within the scope of practice of animal health technicians; |
| (l) | The collection and preparations of specimens, including blood smears, brain smears, impression smears, skin scrapings, wool scrapings, faeces specimens and biopsy, except where anaesthesia is required, from animals on referral of or in consultation with a veterinarian; |
| (m) | Carry out basic post-mortem examination of specimens for the collection and submission of specimens for microbiological, toxicological, histopathological and serological investigation animals on referral of or in consultation with a veterinarian; |
| (n) | An animal health technician may assist a veterinary professional within his/her (the animal health technician’s) scope of practice; |
| (o) | Issue a record of vaccination (excluding any veterinary certificates or certificates for purposes of export); |
| (p) | Fluid therapy, where indicated; and |
| (q) | The performing of euthanasia on highly suspect rabies by the use of medicines under the direct supervision/instruction of a State veterinarian or veterinarian (extension of registration as an AHT required). |
| (2) | For the purposes of the Act the following services shall be deemed to be services, which pertain to the para-veterinary profession of an animal health technician that may be performed from a PAHC facility for the purpose of own account: |
| (a) | conduct testing of animals for tuberculosis by means of an intradermal tuberculin test, including interpretation of the test, provided that the animal health technician passed an accredited course, and only in conjunction with either a private veterinarian or a State veterinarian, as the case may be; |
| (b) | The collection, capturing and evaluation of data and the compiling of reports; |
| (c) | Carry out basic post-mortem examinations for the collection and submission of samples for microbiological, toxicological, histopathological and serological investigation animals on referral of or in consultation with a veterinarian; and |
| (d) | The administration of injections and medicines registered (excluding chemical immobilisation medicines) under the Medicines and Related Substances Act, Act 101 of 1965, only as prescribed by a veterinary professional for a particular patient and dispensed by a pharmacy; and |
| (e) | The treatment of septic wounds, where indicated, in consultation with or under direction of a veterinarian. |
| (3) | An animal health technician may carry out the following procedures on animals without veterinary supervision: |
| (a) | Primary animal healthcare; |
| (b) | Castrations of: |
| i. | cattle with a Burdizzo; |
| ii. | sheep and goats with a Burdizzo; and |
| iii. | pigs up to 7 (seven) days. |
| (c) | Dehorning of immature animals under 4 (four) months; |
| (d) | Trimming of bloodless tip of horn; |
| (e) | Tail docking of: |
| i. | pigs up to 7 (seven) days; and |
| ii. | sheep: open method or the open method in combination with a Burdizzo under 1 (one) month of age; |
| (f) | Hoof/claw trimming; |
| (g) | Animal recording, identification and traceability tasks in terms of the Animal Identification Act, Act no 6 of 2002, including branding and implantation of microchips; |
| (h) | The administration of injections and stock remedies registered under the Stock Remedies Act, including vaccines; |
| (i) | Veterinary extension: (Creating awareness, education and training in Primary Animal Health Care); |
| (j) | The performing of euthanasia on highly suspect rabies animals without the use of medication. ; |
| (k) | Treatment of bloating; |
| (l) | Administration of electrolytes for the treatment of diarrhoea; |
| (m) | Parasite control- internal and external control of ticks; |
| (n) | Meat inspection provided that the animal health technician passed a relevant course accredited by the Department of Agriculture; |
| (o) | Artificial insemination, provided that the animal health technician is registered under the Animal Improvement Act, Act 62 of 1998 as a reproductive operator, in accordance with the conditions pertaining to the category of such registration and within the scope of practice of animal health technicians; |
| (p) | Vaccination with Act 36 registered stock remedies, except where a law indicates otherwise in respect of controlled and notifiable diseases; and |
| (q) | Issue a record of vaccination (excluding any veterinary certificates or certificates for purposes of export). |