Locum work

Re: Locum work

Bibs — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:49:39 GMT

I started locuming in April this year after leaving my last job of 5 years. My old job was pretty good as they go but I was feeling bored and like I wasn't going anywhere. I started to feel really resentful of the long days and staying behind late all the time etc. I was just in a massive rut and needed to do something to get out.

Even though I have 7-8 years experience I felt very nervous about leaving my job (and bordering on terrified to be honest) but so far it has been a very positive move. Even in the north east of England (where I was told people don't like using locums) I've so far managed to be busy since I started. I'm hoping it will continue into the winter but I'm not sure yet. I think if you're situated down south the work might be more plentiful.

It's been interesting to meet and work with some different people and see how they do things. it's also been quite confidence boosting.

I did the limited company thing after being told some employers prefer this. I got an accountant to help set up the company. I got myself VDS cover because even though you are generally covered by the practice when you are working for them, if something comes up after you have left you wont be covered any more.

I joined some agencies because I was worried about finding work after being told the north east is not good for locums. I've not had any major dramas with any of them so far. I'm tempted to try mail shots next.

Re: Locum work

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 11:41:10 GMT

I was once in a similar position-had to move back home because of problems with elderly, infirm parents. I couldn't work full time, so started locuming. Had no difficulty finding work. The limiting factor was how much time I could get domestic cover at home-as parents couldn't be left. I ended up with two carers-who between them allowed me to work approximately half time. If I could have found more carers for parents-I'd have had no difficulty finding more veterinary work. Mind you-that was nearly 20 years ago-so my experience might not be relevant now

Wynne

Re: Locum work

james herriot lied — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:17:18 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]

[quote user="james herriot lied"]This last winter I could have filled three times over[/quote]

For Small animal only, this is trickier as I believe JHL does cows too.

[/quote]

Probably a fair comment - although one of the long term contracts was for a small animal only; I ended up doing mixed. However, most of the work I'm offered is for small animal only - so at least here, it's in supply.

Re: Locum work

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 01:08:37 GMT

[quote user="james herriot lied"]This last winter I could have filled three times over[/quote]

For Small animal only, this is trickier as I believe JHL does cows too. I returned to 5 weeks TB testing this year to keep the diary full

[quote user="james herriot lied"]I don't use an agency[/quote]

Some are better than others, I'd consider using one, and I use 2 on a regular basis. However with 2 others, I've been mailshotted, responded, chatted on the phone with promises of we'll get back too you then nothing.......

Good Luck

Neil

Re: Locum work

Miriam Lodewyks — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 21:32:18 GMT

Bit like the previous posts, I locummed for a number of years. Was a doddle. Don't bother with accountants and tax lawyers, just register as self-employed and ask the HMRC how to do a self assessment. Keep a record of jobs and income, mileage, expenses (incl. VDS and MRCVS membership) etc. 8 weeks should give you plenty of time to get your ducks in a row, especially at this time of year. I started nationally, then returned yearly to the more local practices, until I found myself working almost full time for a few really local practices. Always on MY terms and I always felt appreciated. Only sad thing is that you never get to know your patients that well.... ho hum.

Re: Locum work

james herriot lied — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:34:42 GMT

Blimey. Exciting times.

Been there. Escaped. Now a full-time locum, working only within a 20 mile radius ina fairly rural part of the country. Currently stressed as an overloaded spring, because I've been in one place for a while, and the weight of expectation is heavy upon me again. But equally, able to cope as I know that I WILL be moving on again soon - nothing against the excellent practice who are employing me, just my (and I suggest, your) issues with the kinds of stress we all come under.

Do it. Unfortunately, if you aren't leaving your local area then it's going to be hard to look for locum work without your current practice finding out - so if I were you, I'd look for a really good reason which explains why you're leaving without it being their their fault (IYSWIM). If this is actually true, you may be able to get yourself something of a safety net in place. I left my permanent job in the middle of one month, and was registered as self-employed, with a company name, and working inside of a fortnight. Doddle.

My first year was hit and miss (16K, but a lot of time off), my second and third pretty much full-time. This last winter I could have filled three times over. I have no special skills, apart from being able to engage with my clients well; I'm conscientious; I turn up first in the morning and don't clock-watch; I try to accommodate alterations to my schedule and my on-call; I charge less than the agencies (and keep all of it).

I started out with mail shots, and it grew from there. I try to mailshot the partners now, as I already knew a number of them and I found that practice managers just threw stuff in the bin - on several occasions, bosses have claimed that they didn't even know that I'd been looking for work, even though I'd mailshotted the practice on half a dozen occasions.

I don't use an agency. They (IMHO) make no effort to place the right vet with the right practice, charge more to the client practice and if you ever want to go back there and work again, they will FOREVER MORE take their cut. If you work nationally, not such a problem, but if you're looking for repeat regular work in a small area, it will eat into your income: on future visits to the practice, agency fees would come out of your pocket.

I don't use an accountant, although some on here do, and they think it's cost effective. But then, some locums I know keep all their receipts (including lunch) and claim against them. I don't - I charge a set amount, take out obvious professional costs and the just pay the tax. My life is simple.

Seven years? They'll be cutting each others throats to get at you. The dross that many of the agencies will be sending them will mean that you'll be the answer to their prayers. Local, experienced locums are extremely valuable to a lot of practices.

Forgot to mention, been stacked with work this year and the last mail shot I sent out was in April 2012. And I'm competent, but I wouldn't consider myself to be out of the ordinary in terms of skill base. Just a safe pair of hands, particularly with the clients. The locum industry is fairly booming right now. Whether it's all the stress going round, the feminisation of the profession or the economic climate making people nervous about taking on permanent employees, there's plenty of work.

Life really is too short to be spending big bits of it being unhappy - you don't get those bits added back on at the end, you know. If you need a chat, Feel free to PM me - not quite so bullish as I might appear on here, and I have been in exactly your position.

Re: Locum work

mariette asselbergs — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:22:47 GMT

And yes you need your VDS cover, and probably an income protection insurance.

Mariette

Re: Locum work

mariette asselbergs — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:20:58 GMT

There is no need to set up a Ltd company, it is good to try to calculate first if it is really financially and bureaucratically worth the trouble. You can ask HMRC for advice and they do, for free, some really good practical courses on tax matters for the self employed, pros and cons of setting up a company, how to do it, etc. They love new small enterprises!

It is probably a good idea to go around local practices, and this time of year is very good, many practices need locums.

Agencies are also quite helpful to get started, once you have done some, your reputation will go around and you are OK.

One problem with agencies is, that once you are on their list, you can't get rid of their SPAM!

Another possibility might be setting up your own mobile clinic, which often can be very much appreciated by local practices taking the pressure of home visits and transport issues.......Depends how they consider you, as a com[petitor or a collaborator.

Good luck, locuming is good fun and can be very interesting!

Mariette