How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Idaho

Being a vet technician is a profession for those who love and care for animals.

But not everyone is made for it.

That’s because you must possess the following to be able to help treat animals like a pro:

• Physical stamina
• Mental capabilities
• Emotional stability

Working on your feet all day while talking to and empathizing with pet owners is in the job description.

So if you think you’re capable of these, then let’s look at what you’ll need to become a vet technician in Idaho.

Job Description and Duties of a Vet Technician in Idaho

A vet technician’s duties are uniform everywhere in the world.

And the main responsibility you do is to assist the vet in every step of the vet care.

Let’s take a look at some of the duties that will fall into your job description:

• Record keeping
• Restraining animals
• Taking blood pressure, body temperature, and x-rays
• Performing analyses of the animal’s bodily fluids and discharge
• Physical examinations that lead to further diagnostics of the disease or illness
• Inducing and maintaining anesthesia
• Applying medications, fluids, and blood products per the vet’s instructions
• Monitoring pulse and respiration
• Addressing injuries and applying first aid

Of course, you don’t need to work in private practice after graduating from a vet technology program.

You can find work in other areas and even specialize in the following disciplines:

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

How to Become One

In becoming a vet technician, you must find and enroll in an accredited vet technology program.

By doing so, you will earn an associate’s degree in vet technology.

In Idaho, the American Veterinary Medical Association has given accreditation to the College of Southern Idaho.

Later, when you graduate, you will take two licensure exams:

• Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)
• Idaho Veterinary Technician Jurisprudence Examination

Education Required for a Vet Technician in Idaho

To get admitted to the vet program, you need to at least have:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Passing scores on ACCUPLACER assessment tests, SAT, and/or ACT
• Attended and completed prerequisite courses

Regarding the prerequisite courses, these are usually general education courses like:

• Biology and other sciences
• English and communication
• Basic math

The school wants to measure your learning capability in science-centric subjects before you proceed with the vet courses.

In the program, here are some of the courses you’ll study:

• Parasitology
• Radiology
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Surgical nursing
• Large and small animal care
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology

Some of the classes have lab work where you can do hands-on practices.

Then, the final semester will be an internship, during which you’ll be under the vet’s supervision and guidance.

Usually, vet technology programs last from two to three years, with 70 to 90 credit hours.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition can cost anywhere between $115 to $325 per credit hour.

For out-of-state students, though, they may have to pay up to twice that amount.

If you can’t afford it, don’t worry.

Idaho has a “district” system, where several counties comprise a district.

If you live out of that district, you will pay in-district tuition, and the county in which you reside pays the difference.

You may also apply for other financial aid programs through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Popular Programs

Licensing and Certification

Idaho is one of those states that hold state exams.

So for you to earn your professional license, you have to pass:

• VTNE
• Idaho Veterinary Technician Jurisprudence Examination

The VTNE can only be taken by graduates from accredited vet technology programs.

It costs $300, wherein you will answer 150 questions within three hours.

Meanwhile, you must score at least 90% in the jurisprudence exam.

Getting a Job in Idaho

Idaho has numerous job opportunities for vet technicians.

And so, what you have to worry about when looking for a job is where you want to work.

Would you prefer an animal hospital, a zoo, an animal shelter, or a private clinic?

Here’s a list of potential employers in Idaho you might want to check out:

• Idaho Veterinary Medical Association
• Idaho Veterinary Hospital
• All Valley Animal Care Center
• Ammon Veterinary Hospital
• Banfield Pet Hospitals located in:
  • Boise
  • Meridian

Salaries for Vet Technicians in Idaho

With 15% employment growth projected by 2030, vet technicians will become a “hot commodity.”

Many vet facilities will vie for newcomers, especially licensed ones, making the job market very competitive.

This competitiveness will result in higher salary offers that you can’t resist.

Here are the average annual salaries in Idaho:

Regional Salary in Idaho

Final Words

To reiterate, not everyone can be a vet technician.

So we recommend that you gather information about this career to decide if this is what you want to do in the future.

If it is, then great!

Load up a lot of patience, perseverance, and strength for the education and training you’ll undergo.

Only when you’ve gone past those can you have the skills and experience to confidently serve animal patients well.

How to Become a Vet Tech by State