§ 31.38. Code of ethics for certified veterinary technicians.
(a) The certificate of a certified veterinary technician will only be valid for use when the holder is in the employ of or under the supervision of a veterinarian licensed in this Commonwealth.
(b) The holder of a certificate may not accept a direct fee for services rendered as a certified veterinary technician from other than the certificateholders’ employer.
(c) A certified veterinary technician may not compromise the confidentiality of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
(d) A certified veterinary technician who communicates directly with a client shall notify the client that the certificate holder is a certified veterinary technician.
(e) A certified veterinary technician shall be responsible to the client and to the veterinarian in the following respects:
(1) To undertake only what the veterinarian authorizes or directs.
(2) To perform the veterinary technician’s work only in the manner directed by the veterinarian and to employ the veterinary technician’s best care and skill in performing all work for the veterinarian. The veterinary technician may not undertake any work which the veterinary technician is not capable of performing satisfactorily.
(f) A certified veterinary technician may not undertake an assignment that the certificateholder is not capable of performing.
(g) A certified veterinary technician may not make a false, deceptive or misleading statement or claim. A false, deceptive or misleading statement or claim includes the statements and claims defined in Principle 5(a) of § 31.21 (relating to Rules of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians) and any representation that the certified veterinary technician is a specialist, or a VTS, unless the certified veterinary technician holds current certification from a specialty organization recognized by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America or its successor organization.
(h) A certified veterinary technician shall not engage in conduct which a reasonable person would believe is intended to coerce, pressure or intimidate another person to file, not file or withdraw a complaint made to the Board or any law enforcement official regarding matters related to the certified veterinary technician’s practice.
(i) A certified veterinary technician shall not abuse, harass or intimidate a client, former client, colleague or associate in the course of professional practice.
(j) A certified veterinary technician shall not abuse or neglect any animal, as defined in § 31.1 (relating to definitions), whether or not the animal is a patient.
(k) A certified veterinary technician shall report to the Board any veterinary technician or veterinarian deficient in professional competence, professional conduct or ethical conduct as described in this chapter, in accordance with the rules set forth in § 31.21, Principle 1(e) (relating to Rules of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians).
Authority The provisions of this § 31.38 amended under sections 3(10)(viii), 5 and 11 of the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 485.3(10)(viii), 485.5 and 485.11).
Source The provisions of this § 31.38 adopted January 12, 1979, effective January 13, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 154; amended December 22, 1995, effective December 23, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 5959; amended December 17, 2004, effective December 18, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 6650; amended July 20, 2007, effective July 21, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 3365; amended December 27, 2019, effective December 28, 2019, 49 Pa.B. 7586. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (328729).
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 31.39 (relating to grounds for disciplinary proceedings).
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