Clinical director roles

RE: Clinical director roles

David Mills — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 21:47:41 GMT

3 months is about standard. The costs and logistics of recruiting for vet roles is high, especially management, and in this climate.

I'd be surprised if you had to work the full amount, it's normally until the position is filled, if at all.

Re CD check the exact HR requirements. These aspects can take a lot of time out of your day, away from clinical, and there is a considerable learning curve.

RE: Clinical director roles

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 09:25:40 GMT

[quote user="Beats"]I've never been a "clinical director", so perhaps this is a standard notice period for such a role and not something that should be ringing alarm bells?[/quote]

As far as I'm aware, 3 months is more usual, even for CDs? My husband was a CD but as the previous owner his contract may have been different. He gave them 9 months notice anyway to minimise disruption.

RE: Clinical director roles

Beats — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 23:10:02 GMT

I had a 3 month notice period in one job and wouldn't by choice do it again. After looking to relocate in an area with only occasional job opportunities, I realised that most vacancies worth taking wish to fill that spot in less than 3 months. Thus instead of being able to secure a job and then hand in my notice, I concluded I was best to hand in my notice speculatively and then locum for a few months extra until I got a job where I was looking.

A 6 month notice period could be a nightmare if you wish to leave your job and are waiting for a job to come up at the only other vets in town. Not many employers will keep a job offer open for 6 months for even the best candidate while they see out a notice period.

I like the suggestion of starting low (notice period of not longer than period worked in role up to 6 months maximum), although worth noting that notice periods can work both ways. Although if not happy accepting a 6 month notice period, then much easier to make any negotiations in advance of accepting a position rather than after working 6 months and then deciding you're not so sure you like it and don't want to be tied in, but haven't found anything better or made a firm decision to leave...

I worry about a job trying to tie me in to work for them with a notice period, or attempts at an exclusion clause on working locally if I leave etc. The question that comes to mind is "why would I want to leave?", and "why would they want to keep me there if I was no longer motivated for the role and simply there because my contract said I couldn't leave sooner?"

I guess maybe better to keep a demotivated permanent member of staff through a 6 month notice period than hire locums in their place?

I've never been a "clinical director", so perhaps this is a standard notice period for such a role and not something that should be ringing alarm bells?

RE: Clinical director roles

Jill Butterworth — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 22:38:32 GMT

OMG, 3 months notice is a nightmare in a job you dislike, 6 months would be unbearable!

RE: Clinical director roles

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 18:40:04 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]Clinical Lead?[/quote]

Is that one of those lasso ropes we use around the kennels?

Or maybe it's a euphemism for euthanasia?

RE: Clinical director roles

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 14:04:39 GMT

Would there be scope to stay at the practice but step down from CD to maybe a job title such as Clinical Lead?

RE: Clinical director roles

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:36:31 GMT

I agree ...negotiate! Contracts are a 2 way street, and from your description it sounds like you are in a strong starting position. How about 3 months notice period for the first 12 or 24 months?

Make sure you also get hours, responsibilities etc nailed down. You'll need your day to be quite structured if possible to cope with the chaos of home life!

And ask for more salary than you think you'll get. You can always move downwards, but it is hard to go up!

RE: Clinical director roles

Ceri Gruffudd Jones — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:34:15 GMT

Congratulations on your new baby!

I’m a CD in an IVC practice, currently on mat leave with my 2nd. Was full time when IVC bought the practice and I took on the role but was already pregnant and went on mat leave 3 months later. I returned on 3d per week. I job share with another mum who has also had a baby in our 4 years as CDs. We have staggered our babies so only 1 of us off at any one time!

If you PM me I can give you more detail about how we work it.

RE: Clinical director roles

Lucy Fleming — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:05:19 GMT

I would have thought it would be entirely reasonable to negotiate somekind of probation period (say, 6months?) during which, if the role turned out to be very much not as described, you weren't obliged to give the same length of notice?