Arizona Laws 32-2249. Disciplinary action; grounds; emergency care by technician; letter of concern
A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, the board may:
Terms Used In Arizona Laws 32-2249
- Action: includes any matter or proceeding in a court, civil or criminal. See Arizona Laws 1-215
- Board: means the Arizona state veterinary medical examining board. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
- Certified veterinary technician: means either:
(a) A graduate of a minimum two-year American veterinary medical association accredited program in veterinary technology who has passed a national and a state veterinary technician examination. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
- Gross incompetence: means any professional misconduct or unreasonable lack of professional skill in the performance of professional practice. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
- Gross negligence: means treatment of a patient or practice of veterinary medicine resulting in injury, unnecessary suffering or death that was caused by carelessness, negligence or the disregard of established principles or practices. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
- Letter of concern: means an advisory letter to notify a veterinarian that, while there is insufficient evidence to support disciplinary action, the board believes the veterinarian should modify or eliminate certain practices and that continuation of the activities that led to the information being submitted to the board may result in action against the veterinarian's license. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
- Licensed veterinarian: means a person who is currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- Veterinarian: means a person who has received a doctor's degree in veterinary medicine from a veterinary college. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
- Veterinary medicine: includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, acupuncture, manipulation and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine and prescribing, administering or dispensing drugs and medications for veterinary purposes. See Arizona Laws 32-2201
1. Take one or more of the following actions:
(a) Revoke or suspend a certificate.
(b) Issue a decree of censure.
(c) Place a certified veterinary technician on probation.
(d) Impose a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars per violation.
2. Take one or more of the actions described in paragraph 1 for any of the following reasons:
(a) The employment of fraud, misrepresentation or deception in obtaining certification.
(b) Conviction on a charge of cruelty to animals or conviction of a felony, in which case the record of such conviction will be conclusive evidence.
(c) Chronic inebriety or habitual use of narcotics, dangerous drugs or controlled substances.
(d) Gross ignorance or inefficiency in connection with the performance of technical procedures in veterinary medicine.
(e) Representing himself as a doctor of veterinary medicine.
(f) Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisting or abetting the violation or conspiracy to violate any of the provisions of this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter or a written order of the board issued pursuant to this chapter.
(g) Practicing veterinary medicine.
(h) Gross incompetence or gross negligence.
(i) Following orders that are in violation of this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
B. In an emergency, a certified veterinary technician may render emergency care or first aid if the technician is supervised telephonically by a licensed veterinarian or until a licensed veterinarian arrives. This does not preclude emergency care as outlined in section 32-2261.
C. If the board receives information indicating that a certified veterinary technician may have engaged in unprofessional or dishonorable conduct and it appears after investigation that the information may be true, the board may request an informal interview. If the certified veterinary technician refuses the interview or if other evidence relating to the technician’s professional competence indicates that disciplinary action should be taken, the board may take the action as prescribed by subsection A of this section.
D. If, as a result of information ascertained during an investigation, informal interview or formal hearing of a certified veterinary technician, the board has concern for the certified veterinary technician’s conduct but has not found the conduct to be a reason listed in subsection A of this section, the board may issue a letter of concern to the technician regarding the technician’s conduct.