§ 17-101-320 — Collaborative practice agreement

(a) (1) (A) A veterinary technician specialist and a veterinarian may enter into a collaborative practice agreement. (B) A veterinarian shall not enter into a collaborative practice agreement with more than three (3) veterinary technician specialists at one (1) time. (2) A collaborative practice agreement shall include without limitation provisions addressing: (A) The location and license details of both the veterinary technician specialist and collaborating veterinarian as well as the availability of the collaborating veterinarian for consultation or referral, or both; (B) Methods of management of the collaborative practice, which shall include protocols for technical duties; (C) Coverage of the veterinary needs of an animal patient in the emergency absence of the veterinary technician specialist or collaborating veterinarian; and (D) Quality assurance with monthly reviews of the veterinary technician specialist's animal patients' medical records or case discussions with the collaborating veterinarian. (3) If a collaborative practice results in complaints of violations of this chapter, the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission may review the role of the collaborating veterinarian or the veterinary technician specialist in the collaborative practice to determine if the collaborating veterinarian or the veterinary technician specialist is unable to manage his or her responsibilities under the collaborative practice agreement without an adverse effect on the quality of care of the animal patient. (4) A veterinary technician specialist shall notify the commission in writing within seven (7) days following the termination of a collaborative practice agreement. (b) (1) A veterinary technician specialist may receive drugs, medicines, or therapeutic devices appropriate to the veterinary technician specialist's area of practice. (2) If the collaborative practice agreement between a veterinary technician specialist and a collaborating veterinarian is terminated, a new collaborative practice agreement shall be required. (3) Under the supervision of a collaborating veterinarian, a veterinary technician specialist may: (A) (i) Establish care for new animal patients by forming a preliminary veterinarian-client-patient relationship on behalf of the collaborating veterinarian with the animal patient or client, order diagnostics, provide a diagnosis or a prognosis, and develop treatment plans with a collaborating veterinarian. (ii) The collaborating veterinarian shall complete the veterinarian-client-patient relationship by personally seeing the animal patient within fifteen (15) days; (B) Perform the induction, maintenance, and monitoring of anesthesia for an animal patient except when in conflict with state or federal law; (C) Perform minor dental and surgical procedures on animal patients, excluding abdominal, thoracic, or orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery; (D) Administer a drug or controlled substance to prevent suffering of animal patients, including without limitation euthanasia, under direct communication with a collaborating veterinarian; (E) Initiate and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on animal patients, including administration of medication and defibrillation, and provide immediate post-resuscitation care according to established protocols except when in conflict with state or federal law; and (F) Dispense and administer medicines or therapeutic devices for animal patients except when in conflict with state or federal law. (c) The veterinary technician specialist shall keep accurate records in accordance with the rules of the commission, including without limitation the medical history, physical examination, other evaluations and consultations, treatment plan objective, informed consent noted in the animal patient's record, treatment, prescriptions, and medications given, agreements regarding the animal patient, and periodic reviews.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2023, No. 452,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2023. Added by Act 2023, No. 161,§ 4, eff. 8/1/2023.