In Utah, you will have many job opportunities if you become a vet assistant.
But, before that, you will need to know what are the training requirements.
So, read below in order to decide whether this is a good option for you.
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Veterinary Assistant Employment and Job Duties in Utah
In Utah, vet assistants who have proper training can find a job in one of the following facilities:
- Pet hospitals or clinics,
- Animal rescue facilities,
- Animal shelters
- Zoos
- Educational institutions
You will have several tasks to complete daily, but some of these include:
- Communicating with clients
- Making appointments
- Request records requests from other vets
- Inventory control
- Cleaning vet gear
- Sanitizing animal cages
- Operation room cleaning
- Help with filling prescriptions
- Prepping exam and operating spaces
- Keeping records updated
- Pay attention to the dietary needs of pets
- Make sure the animals get enough exercise
You can also pursue an externship first if you need to get experience with animals first.
There are also some sources that could help you in your search:
- Utah Veterinary Technician Association
- Big Sky Veterinary Technician Association
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
- Veterinary Career Network
- Vet Tech Life
- Vetcetera
- Where Techs Connect
Becoming Certified as a Vet Assistant in Utah
In Utah, you are not required by law to get a certification.
However, most facilities prefer to hire certified vet assistants.
So, to improve your chances to get hired, you can join a training program for vet assistants in your area.
When you complete the training program, you can apply to get the AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant) certification.
The vet assistant certification Utah is provided by the NAVTA.
Remember that the program you choose should also be approved by the NAVTA.
You can also opt to specialize in a field such as:
- Dental Technician
- Anesthetist
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Behavior Technician
- Zoological Medicine
- Equine
- Surgery
- Clinical Practice
- Nutrition
- Clinical Pathology
In Utah, there are numerous programs you can join online or in person.
Online programs are the best choice for students who cannot attend physical classes.
The training programs for vet assistants feature theory classes and clinical practice.
The theory part will feature topics such as:
- How to identify different breeds
- Animal anatomy
- The best ways to administer meds
- How to administer post-operative care
- Handling various breeds of animals
- Medical terminology
- Handling chemicals
The training programs for vet assistants in Utah are offered by the schools below.
Top 4 Schools in Utah
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bridgerland Applied Technology College | 1301 North 600 West, Logan, Utah 84321 |
| Jordan Applied Technology Center | 9301 S Wights Fort Rd West Jordan, UT 84088 |
| Salt Lake Community College | 9750 South 300 West MFEC Suite 211 Sandy, UT 84070 |
| University of Utah | 1901 E. South Campus Dr. #2174Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9359 |
If you are employed by a vet facility for 20 hours weekly, you can apply to be an experiential learner.
Usually, the training programs vary between 6 months and 2 years or 3 years.
If you join a college program, you can get a B.S. in Veterinary Technology or an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology.
In Utah, you will have to take the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) exam.
This vet assistant test is offered through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
To take the exam, candidates have to submit a fee and make an online appointment.
The topics will cover:
- Emergency Medicine/Critical Care
- Dentistry
- Pain Management/Analgesia
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Surgical Nursing
- Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Laboratory Procedures
- Anesthesia
- Animal Care and Nursing
Keep in mind that after 2 years pass, you have to renew your vet assistant certification for a fee.
You will also have to attend some additional education hours.
Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in Utah
As per The Bureau of Labor Statistics, vet assistants in Utah have an average annual wage of
If you get hired in a bigger city, you have more chances to be paid more.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Veterinary Assistants in Utah
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $30,304 |
| Boulder | $28,780 |
| Provo | $29,194 |
| Sandy | $30,221 |
| Orem | $29,194 |
| Ogden | $29,542 |
| West Jordan | $30,194 |
| Layton | $29,432 |
| Brigham City | $29,321 |
| St. George | $32,096 |
Regional Salary in Utah
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan, UT-ID | 50 | $30,950 | $14.88 | $35,100 | $28,760 |
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | 260 | $33,710 | $16.21 | $42,780 | $28,280 |
| Provo-Orem, UT | 80 | $32,750 | $15.74 | $42,030 | $26,580 |
| St. George, UT | 40 | $31,360 | $15.08 | $37,680 | $24,860 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 380 | $34,990 | $16.82 | $44,950 | $28,710 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information About Vet Assistants in Utah
As the industry grows, more and more jobs open.
After you get the certification and training you need, you will be able to enjoy a rewarding career.
The first step you have to take is to choose a school to train at and start your program.
