Simulated Client
Utah State University
Simulated Client
Utah State University
Land-grant university in Logan, UT
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Utah State University is looking for simulated clients to assist in teaching professional-grade communication skills to our veterinary students.
As part of our Professional Skills program, the simulated clients are given a simulated veterinary scenario to study and role-play with the students and their coaches. You will be expected to embrace the role of an animal owner who is seeking professional veterinary guidance and/or medical treatment. Your ability to adopt the role, eb & flow with a range of emotions and concerns, and provide believable responses will be important in helping our students to see how impactful professional clinical communication skills can be. It will contribute to stronger client relationships, greater client retention, and higher quality medical care for their animals.
Simulated learning is a fun way to help our students experience and practice their communication skills in real-life situations! A sort of “rehearsal for the real world”, if you will.
Class, for the fall semester, is Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and it runs in three 3-week role-play rounds from Sept 2nd through Dec 2nd. The dates and times for the Spring semester will be determined at a later time. You may or may not be needed for every round. How much involvement you have in the semester will be determined by case & casting needs. The simulated client is expected to have transportation to/from the USU Veterinary Medical Education Building and participate in time blocks of up to 4 hours at a time. There is also an expectation that you are prepared, prompt, and present for all appointments, as determined/agreed on by your coordinator.
Fall class days are as follows, with training meetings in between throughout the semester. Please check your schedule before applying.
Come join us as we help our students learn to offer high-quality care through positive and professional communication.
Along with the online application, please attach:
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
The simulated client position will involve working with people, both students and colleagues, in a group setting. The simulated client is expected to read, memorize, and act (through role-play) as an animal owner. Some studying/learning will be required outside of the class setting. Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. This position requires moderate physical activity, including the handling of objects up to 25 pounds and/or standing or walking more than one hour per day.
The simulated client will be joining the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at an exciting point of transformation. In 2022, the state of Utah approved the creation of a full four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program at USU. The CVM has received approval through its accrediting agency, the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, to admit its inaugural class of 40 students in the fall of 2025, and cohorts of 80 veterinary students in subsequent years. The new college is the only veterinary medical education program in Utah. The CVM is dedicated to providing top-tier education and training to the next generation of veterinarians. Our program emphasizes hands-on learning, innovative teaching methods, and a commitment to excellence in veterinary care. Join our dynamic team and contribute to shaping the future of veterinary medicine.
As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.
USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.
Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.
Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.
The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].
*updated 10/26
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.
Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.
In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.
The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:
Civil Rights & Title IX Office
Old Main Room 405
1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322
(435) 797-1266
For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:
U.S. Department of Education
Denver Regional Office
303-844-5695| [email protected]
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
800-421-3481 | [email protected]
*updated 08/2026
Land-grant university in Logan, UT
Utah State University is a public land-grant and space-grant research university headquartered in Logan, Utah. It provides education, research, and public engagement through its main campus and a statewide network of locations.
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