How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Utah

Maybe you want to become a veterinary technician in Utah.

If that is true, you should first check out the requirements needed to get a license.

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Utah

Your vet tech job will be rewarding and include varied tasks every day.

Some facilities have different duties, but most of them include the following:

• Administering medications
• Taking x-rays,
• Processing tissue samples,
• Assisting in surgery and emergency care
• Performing lab tests
• Teeth cleaning,
• Electrocardiography,
• Bandaging,
• Wound cleaning,
• Maintaining detailed and accurate records of meds, supplies, patients

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Utah

In order to become a vet tech, you will need to have some experience with animals.

The easiest way to do this is by joining a training program that you find suitable.

If you want to apply for a vet tech license, you need a Veterinary Technology Associate’s Degree of Applied Science degree.

This degree will last for about 2 or 3 years.

Another option is applying for a bachelor’s degree that will take 4 or 5 years to finish.

No matter what you opt for, the program should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

You can also pursue a degree in Animal Science with vet tech specialization.

There are many internships and externships available in order to complete your lab practice.

The schools that have vet tech programs in Utah include the next ones.

Once you get your degree, you can go on and apply for the vet tech license.

For this, you will need:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Future students must complete these classes right before enrolling in the degree program
• 2 letters of recommendation
  • One of them must come from a veterinarian
• Health insurance
• Buying a medical malpractice policy

The theory part features subjects such as:

• Introduction to veterinary technology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Emergency care and first aid
• Pathology
• Anesthesiology
• Radiology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology
• Parasitology
• Toxicology
• Nutrition

The last semester of a vet training course is generally a preceptorship.

Your practice will include subjects like:

• Medical Terminology
• Basic Comparative Animal Anatomy and Physiology;
• Veterinary Office Procedures;
• Basic Pharmacology;
• Practical Animal Nutrition;
• Nursing Care and Handling of Animals;
• Animal Behavior;
• Applied Radiography;
• Applied Anesthesiology;
• Applied Clinical Laboratory Procedures;
• Principles and Practices of Medical and Surgical Assistance;
• Animal Diseases.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Utah

In Utah, vet techs licenses are provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

To get one, you first need to submit:

• An application form
• Proof you graduated from the training program described earlier
• Pass a criminal background check
• To pay the associated fees
  • $300 for the exam
  • $100 for the license
• Your score on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

The VTNE exam features 150 questions and you need to score over 70% to pass and get licensed.

You have 3 hours to answer the questions.

You do not have to continue your education as a vet tech in Utah.

However, by doing so, you will have more chances to get hired for a good position.

You will also be able to keep up with industry updates.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Utah

There are many vet facilities you can work in once you have a vet tech license.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Private clinical practices
• Zoos
• Veterinary teaching hospitals
• Rescue centers
• Wildlife or exotic animal rehabilitation centers
• Humane societies,
• Research facilities,
• Feedlots,
• Pharmaceutical companies

You might wonder about the salary you will earn.

This depends on your credentials and where you live.

For example, you have better chances for a good salary if you live in a bigger city or area.

In Utah, the most important employers are:

• Kaysville Veterinary Clinic (Kaysville)
• A Caring Vet (Lyndon)
• Salt Lake County Animal Services (Salt Lake City)
• Professional Wildlife Removal (Salt Lake City)
• Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (state-wide)
• Utah Wildlife Rescue Groups (state-wide)
• Utah Wildlife Specialists (Northern Utah)
• Wild Aware Utah! (state-wide)

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Utah

The following resources might help you in your job search:

• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Utah Veterinary Technician and Assistant Association
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America
• Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthetists
• Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians
• Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science