Who must determine the level of supervision for unlicensed employees performing tasks in a veterinary practice?

The determination of the level of supervision required for unlicensed employees performing tasks in a veterinary practice falls primarily under the responsibility of the supervising veterinarian. This is important because the supervising veterinarian is typically the individual with the appropriate training, credentials, and authority to evaluate the skills and competencies of unlicensed staff. They must ensure that any procedures or tasks being performed are done safely and within the legal and ethical guidelines established by the state veterinary practice acts.

Veterinarians are trained in the scope of practice for both licensed and unlicensed personnel and have the expertise to assess how much oversight is necessary based on the complexity of the task and the experience level of the employee. This decision is critical in maintaining high standards of care and compliance with legal regulations, thus protecting both the animals and the practice.

While the clinic manager, licensed veterinary technicians, and state veterinary boards play important roles in the functioning of a veterinary practice, they are not typically responsible for directly overseeing unlicensed acting employees in the same way as the supervising veterinarian does.