Alberta Association Of Animal Health Technologists
Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists
ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIST PRACTICE GUIDELINES
In Alberta, veterinary medicine is legislated by the government in the document named "Veterinary
Professions Act". This act enables veterinarians and, to a limited capacity, registered animal health
technologists to practice veterinary medicine. The following will clarify the limitations of a registered
AHT under the appropriate supervision guidelines.
SECTION I. DEFINITIONS
1. Animal Health Technologist - An individual who has graduated from an Animal Health
Technology program
2. Animal Health Technology- The science and art of providing all aspects of professional medical
care and treatment for animals with the general exceptions of diagnosis, prescribing, and surgery
3. "registered" Animal Health Technologist- (registered AHT) - refers to an individual who is an
AAAHT member who is "registered" with the AVMA
4. AAAHT - The Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists, governing body for AHT's
5. Registered Veterinarian- An individual who is validly and currently licensed to practice veterinary
medicine in the province of Alberta
6. AVMA- The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, governing body for veterinarians
7. Animal- Any mammalian animal other than man; and any avian, amphibian, fish or reptile, wild or
domestic
8. Veterinary medicine- Any medical service performed with respect to an animal
9. Levels of Supervision Defined:
a. Immediate Supervision - A registered veterinarian is within direct eyesight or hearing
range.
b. Direct Supervision - A registered veterinarian is on premises and is readily available.
c. Indirect Supervision – A registered veterinarian is not on the premises, but actions
performed upon direction of a veterinarian. The veterinarian visits and communicates at
least once during the day that the registered AHT practices.
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AHT Practice Guidelines
SECTION II. CONDITIONS
Consent of the veterinarian and AHT, and an adequate comfort level and competency of the registered
AHT must be established before any activities are to be performed.
Only a registered veterinarian and a registered AHT can legally practice veterinary medicine in
Alberta. A registered AHT may practice all aspects of veterinary medicine, under the appropriate
degree of supervision, except diagnosing, prescribing and surgery.
SECTION III. ACTIVITIES
1.
a. Immediate supervision (veterinarian is within sight or hearing range)
1) Induction of general anesthesia
2) Dental extraction not requiring sectioning of a tooth or the resection of bone or
gum, or elevation
3) Surgical assistance to a veterinarian
b. Direct supervision (veterinarian is on premises)
1) Administration of sedation
2) Maintenance of general anesthesia
3) Administration of epidural, paravertabral and corneal blocks in cattle
4) Administration of local anesthesia
5) Application of splints. slings, and bandages
6) Dental procedures including, but not limited to, the removal of calculus, soft
deposits, plaque, and stains: the smoothing, filing, and polishing of teeth, or the
floatation or dressing of equine teeth
7) Administration of blood or blood products
8) Euthanasia
9) Administration of biologicals including rabies to domestic pets
c. Indirect supervision (veterinarian not on premises but actions are directed)
1) Administration and application of treatments and minor bandages; drugs and
medications by parenteral and injectable routes (intravenous, intramuscular,
subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal)
2) Administration of biologicals to livestock
3) Intravenous catheterizations
4) Initiation of parenteral fluid administration
5) Collection of blood; collection of bodily fluids; collection of urine by expression,
cystocentesis, or catheterization; collection and preparation of tissue, cellular, or
microbiological samples by skin scrapings, impressions, or other non-surgical
techniques
6) Laboratory testing procedures and routine maintenance of diagnostic and
anesthetic equipment
7) Radiology including settings, positioning, processing and safety procedures
including quality control
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AHT Practice Guidelines
8) Supervision of the handling of biohazardous waste materials
9) Application of tattoo techniques
10) Advice to clients (with a veterinarian-client relationship) on a course of treatment
in regards to conditions assessed by the client. The advice made must be that
which the veterinarian would make
2. Other medical services in which a registered AHT is trained and competent to perform under the
appropriate degree of supervision.
3. Under conditions of emergency, (when an animal has been placed in a life-threatening condition
and immediate treatment is necessary to sustain life, or where death is imminent and action is
necessary to relieve pain or suffering) a registered AHT may render the following aid or treatment
provided the AHT, after a reasonable attempt, been unable to contact a veterinarian:
a. Evaluate life signs and initiate necessary treatment:
(1) Administration of pharmacological agents and parental fluids
(2) Resuscitative procedures
(3) Application of pressure bandages, splints, and wound dressings
(4) Euthanasia with owner’s consent where animal pain or suffering is obvious
b. The AHT shall, as soon as possible, notify the veterinarian who directs or controls the AHT
of the evaluation and therapy initiated and the veterinarian, upon being notified, shall
immediately assume the clinical management of the case.
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