How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Utah

In order to work with animals, you have to be someone who loves them and can connect with them.

And yet, you should also be emotionally stable to handle the difficulties that come with the job.

Why?

Because being a vet technician is an emotionally taxing profession.

It requires knowledge and skillsets to care for ill and injured animals.

If you can handle this, then read on to learn what a vet technician does and how to become one in Utah.

Job Description and Duties of a Vet Technician in Utah

As a vet technician, you’ll work closely with pet owners to communicate the animal’s condition.

Apart from it, you’ll have a lot of duties entrusted to you by the vet, with or without their supervision.

You’ll take care of everything the vet might need in the course of the procedure.

In the vet clinic, your day-to-day tasks involve the following:

• Record keeping
• Emergency care and first aid
• Cleaning after animals
• Monitoring vitals
• Doing diagnostics and lab tests
• Applying medications, fluids, and blood products per the vet’s instructions
• Patient communication
• Administering anesthesia
• Assisting in euthanasia

Depending on the busyness of the facility, you may have to work night shifts, weekends, or holidays.

How to Become One

To work as a vet technician, you must’ve graduated from an accredited school, earning an associate’s degree.

As of this writing, Utah has no vet school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Fortunately, you can still avail of the program through AVMA’s distance education program.

You may also check our list of online vet tech programs for other options.

Afterward, take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

It’s a required exam to work as a licensed vet technician in the U.S.

Once you pass, you can now register for your license with the state board.

Education Required for a Vet Technician in Utah

Vet schools have their own admission requirements.

We encourage you to visit their website for more detailed information.

Typically though, before enrolling in a program, you might have to attend some prerequisite courses, like:

• Math
• Communications
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Humanities
• Physical science

Once you’re admitted, you’ll learn the subjects involving:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biology
• Radiology
• Anesthesia
• Large and small animal medicine
• Pathology
• Practice management
• Veterinary economics
• Exotic animals
• Surgery
• Pharmacology
• Clinical skills

Some courses include lab work at in-campus laboratories so you can practice the skills and techniques taught in the classroom.

Later, you’ll do an internship at a local vet clinic to get real-life work experience as a vet technician.

All in all, it will take you two to three years to graduate and earn an associate’s degree.

If you want, you can also further your education and become a specialist in:

• Dental technician
• Anesthetist
• Internal medicine
• Emergency and critical care
• Behavior technician
• Zoological medicine
• Equine
• Surgery
• Clinical practice
• Nutrition
• Clinical pathology

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition fees are usually affordable for programs offered in Utah.

Expect it to cost somewhere between $12,000 and $25,000.

For out-of-state students, the cost can be two to three times higher than that.

This doesn’t count the additional fees, supplies, or living expenses you might incur.

Luckily, you can apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Here, you’ll find out what types of aid are available and for which you meet the criteria.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also gives education benefits to veterans and their family members.

Popular Programs

Licensing and Certification

You should know that, unlike other states, Utah doesn’t have licensing requirements for vet technicians.

The state doesn’t require any renewal or continuing education either.

And so, you can work without ever getting a professional license.

However, if you want to advance and work anywhere in the U.S., then it’s necessary to take the VTNE.

Do note that only those graduates from accredited vet technology programs can take the test.

Be prepared, though, because it’s not an easy exam.

It lasts for three hours and has 150 questions.

The exam fee costs $300.

After you pass, you can apply for registration of your license with the state board.

Getting a Job in Utah

Vet technicians shouldn’t worry about finding a job.

Many vet facilities in Utah are eager to welcome newcomers into their vet staff.

Of course, whether you get the job or not lies solely on the employer.

So to increase your chances, you should look through the job description and make sure you’re the person they’re looking for.

To get you started, here are some vet facilities that might have job openings in Utah:

• Veterinary Centers of America – Utah Branches
• All Pet Animal Hospital/Taylorsville
  • Lakeview Animal Hospital
  • Jordan River Animal Hospital
  • Oquirrh Hills Animal Hospital
• Banfield Pet Hospitals located in:
  • Orem
  • Salt Lake City East
  • Sandy
• Vetco Wellness Centers and Vaccination Clinics located in:
  • Midvale Petco
  • Heber City Petco
  • Harrisville Petco

Salaries for Vet Technicians in Utah

Because of the rising demands for quality vet care, there’s now a 15% projected employment growth for vet technicians by 2030.

Because of it, more jobs with competitive salaries will be offered over the decade.

Here are the average annual salaries in cities across Utah:

Regional Salary in Utah

Final Words

There’s a common misconception going around that vet technicians have it easy.

Well, they got it wrong.

Yes, your work isn’t equal to that of the vet’s, but you assist the vet—you’re their right-hand man.

You’re authorized to participate in lab procedures and surgeries.

So yes, you do play an important role in the vet team!

How to Become a Vet Tech by State