The purpose of this chapter is to establish the terms and conditions under which a veterinarian may supervise the practical training of a veterinary medical student. This chapter applies to all veterinary practitioners in the State who supervise veterinary medical students who practice veterinary medicine. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “AVMA” means the American Veterinary Medical Association. “Board” means the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. “Responsible direct supervision” means competent, immediate, and active supervision by a veterinary practitioner. The veterinary practitioner shall be: In the immediate vicinity of where the work is being performed; and Actively engaged in supervising this work throughout the entire period it is being performed, including: Providing clear and specific directions on what work is to be done; Being cognizant of how the assigned work is being performed; and Being immediately available to provide advice when the assigned work is being performed. “Shelter owner” means a person who rents, leases, or otherwise has control of the premises where the facility is located. “Veterinary practitioner” means a licensed and registered veterinarian engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine. “Veterinary preceptee” means a student of veterinary medicine practicing veterinary medicine who has successfully completed 3 years of veterinary education at an institution approved by the Board and who works under the responsible direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner. A veterinary practitioner who offers practical training to a veterinary medical school student shall: Ensure that the veterinary medical school student meets the definition of a veterinary preceptee before permitting the student to practice veterinary medicine under the responsible direct supervision of the veterinary practitioner. Provide responsible direct supervision to the veterinary preceptee at all times the veterinary preceptee is working with a patient. Upon request by the Board, or the Board's representative, provide written documentation evidencing the validity of the practical training instruction being given by the veterinary practitioner to the veterinary preceptee. This documentation shall indicate, at a minimum, that the veterinary medical school student has been approved, by the veterinary medical college at which the student is enrolled, to participate in practical training. This documentation shall be maintained at the hospital where the veterinary practitioner is employed. Before allowing a veterinary preceptee to perform surgery on a patient unassisted by the veterinary practitioner, the veterinary practitioner shall obtain written approval from the client. This written approval shall include, at a minimum, the following information: Client's name; Pet's name; A statement which indicates the following: The number of years successfully completed by the veterinary preceptee at an AVMA-accredited school of veterinary medicine; That the veterinary practitioner providing responsible direct supervision to the veterinary preceptee is educationally, medically, and legally responsible for any medical, surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic decisions made by the veterinary preceptee; and That any unassisted surgical procedures will be carried out only when the veterinary practitioner is providing direct supervision; A statement that any and all questions about the work to be performed by the veterinary preceptee on the client's pet have been answered to the client's satisfaction; A statement or list of procedures to be performed that the client can either accept or reject; The client's, or authorized agent's, printed name and signature; The veterinary practitioner's printed name and signature; and The date the written form is completed. Provided an animal upon which surgery is to be performed is owned by a humane society or animal shelter, and the surgery is to be performed in the humane society or animal shelter, the veterinary practitioner shall obtain written approval from the owner of the humane society or animal shelter before allowing the veterinary preceptee to perform any surgeries upon animals unassisted by the veterinary practitioner. This written approval may cover the entire period during which the veterinary preceptee is working under the responsible direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner. This written approval shall include, at a minimum, the following information: Name of humane society or animal shelter; A statement which indicates the following: The number of years successfully completed by the veterinary preceptee at an AVMA-accredited school of veterinary medicine; That the veterinary practitioner providing responsible direct supervision to the veterinary preceptee is educationally, medically, and legally responsible for any medical, surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic decisions made by the veterinary preceptee; and That any unassisted surgical procedures will be carried out only when the veterinary practitioner is providing direct supervision; A statement that any and all questions about the work to be performed by the veterinary preceptee on the animals have been answered to the satisfaction of the shelter owner; A statement or list of anticipated procedures to be performed that the shelter owner can either accept or reject; The shelter owner's, or authorized agent's, printed name and signature; The veterinary practitioner's printed name and signature; and The date the written form is completed. After giving a veterinary practitioner notice and an opportunity to be heard, the Board may impose a civil penalty instead of, or in addition to, suspending or revoking the veterinarian's license if the veterinarian fails to comply with the Board's requirements set forth in this chapter. Agriculture Article, §§2-301 and 2-304, Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: Regulations .01—.07 adopted as an emergency provision effective May 26, 2010 (37:13 Md. R. 850); adopted permanently effective October 18, 2010 (37:21 Md. R. 1437)