Can a LVT or veterinary assistant provide medical care to hospitalized patients without the veterinarian present?

A licensed veterinary technician (LVT) or veterinary assistant can indeed provide medical care to hospitalized patients as long as they are adhering to the treatment orders provided by the veterinarian. This delegation of tasks is critical in veterinary practice, allowing LVTs and veterinary assistants to perform various supportive and routine care activities, such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and providing nursing care, under the protocols established by veterinarians.

The veterinary professionals must, of course, maintain communication with the veterinarian and operate within the scope of practice defined by state regulations and institutional policies. This allows for efficient patient care and helps to ensure that veterinary technicians and assistants are acting under the responsibility and direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, even if the veterinarian is not physically present.

This framework is designed to enhance patient outcomes while ensuring that care is within legal and ethical boundaries, meaning that LVTs and veterinary assistants have responsibilities that support the veterinarian's directives, rather than taking independent action without guidance or oversight.