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Professional Practice Standards and College Policy

The College's policy documents are designed to increase the clarity of the College's expectations of all veterinarians. The College has revised several existing policy documents and introduced new standards. Professional Practice Standards state the generally accepted behaviours expected of veterinarians for a particular aspect of their work.

The College is attentive to ensuring policy debate is focused on the safety and quality of veterinary medicine. Since 2012, the Council has been using a decision-making tool, the Public Policy Decision Tree, to support its efforts in keeping the public interest central during deliberations.

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Accreditation & Temporary Facilities

Accreditation & Temporary Facilities

This section explains the the facility accreditation process and also provides policies and forms surrounding temporary facilities, such as rabies programs and microchip clinics.

Advertising and Steering

Advertising and Steering

The Veterinarians Act contains clauses related to marketing services and provides public protection rules on advertising to ensure advertising by veterinarians is not false, misleading or deceptive.

Client Communications and Consent

Client Communications and Consent

Veterinarians are expected to ensure informed client consent - written, oral or implied - before proceeding with service or treatment.

Clinical Practice

Clinical Practice

Policy documents to guide veterinarians in areas such as continuity of care, cosmetic surgery, alternative therapies, pain management, reporting suspected abuse, dentistry and euthanasia.

Ethics

Ethics

As well as their skills and judgement, veterinarians are guided by their values and principles in the delivery of veterinary care.

Licensure

Licensure

This section includes policy documents which concern the licensure of veterinarians.

Medical Records and Information

Medical Records and Information

Veterinarians are expected to create and maintain records that are accurate, complete and detailed, as well as being organized, secured and accessible.

Quality Practice

Quality Practice

Within its regulatory mandate, the College assumes a leadership role to support veterinarians in demonstrating their continued competence and the safety and quality of their practice.

Regulation of Veterinary Medicine in Ontario

Regulation of Veterinary Medicine in Ontario

The College regulates the practice of veterinary medicine to protect the public interest.

Supervision and Delegation

Supervision and Delegation

This section includes policy documents which concern the delegation and supervision of non-veterinarians.

Veterinary Prescribing and Dispensing

Veterinary Prescribing and Dispensing

Veterinarians are permitted to prescribe and dispense drugs and treatment products.