Thinking about locuming - advice please

RE: Thinking about locuming - advice please

Rob Loxley — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 19:26:53 GMT

Have you tried a flexible working request with your current employer, may be more attractive to them than having to recruit or use a locus?

RE: Thinking about locuming - advice please

Chris Milligan — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 22:03:01 GMT

Regards working time, the economics of the way I worked meant I needed 13 days a month booked at locum rates to match full time income from employed work; in the current climate this is eminently doable and lets you pay the bills and have the flexibility to do more or take time off elsewhere when needed. The buzzword for locum work is flexibility; plus practice politics becomes basically zero. The hardest thing at the moment is not overbooking yourself when people ask you to cover stuff - sounds like a pseudo-complaint but is actually a real issue for a lot of locums who can't say no to people!

RE: Thinking about locuming - advice please

An On MRCVS — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 13:54:52 GMT

Thank you all for your advice.

Useful to know sole trader or casual would be the way forward if I go ahead.

[quote userid="8958" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30357/thinking-about-locuming---advice-please/238128#238128"]practices will take locums for half days/mornings etc, but bear in mind as one practice manager said to me 'everyone would like to finish at 1600, so finding enough to allow child care may be tricky.[/quote]

Childcare late afternoon/evening is not an issue, and I've not problem finishing around the 19:00 mark, just not so keen after having been there since 8/8:30, though wouldn't mind doing so on occasion.

[quote userid="6765" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30357/thinking-about-locuming---advice-please/238130#238130"]I guess it should be easy to find work but doing those shorter hours be prepared to be a consulting machine with little opportunity for case follow up. Some people can find that unrewarding after a full time job.
If you enjoy case work up and getting involved then permanent part time may be a better option.[/quote]

I'll bear that in mind.

Lots to think about, but useful to know it would be possible if I wanted to go down that route.

Thank you again all.

RE: Thinking about locuming - advice please

Alistair Graham-Evans — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 06:47:35 GMT

I guess it should be easy to find work but doing those shorter hours be prepared to be a consulting machine with little opportunity for case follow up. Some people can find that unrewarding after a full time job.
If you enjoy case work up and getting involved then permanent part time may be a better option.

RE: Thinking about locuming - advice please

Alistair Graham-Evans — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 06:42:27 GMT

[quote userid="8858" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30357/thinking-about-locuming---advice-please/238095#238095"]A very funny thing happened once where I gave a second opinion to myself because I was working at two neighbouring practices and the client obviously didn't like what I said the first time, but they didn't recognise me and were quite happy when I backed myself up, but gave another view too![/quote]

Hilarious when you have to give a second opinion to yourself. Had a client phone wanting another opinion about an aural haematoma as the idiot vet in another clinic advised draining and injecting steroid. Told him I was that idiot and still had the same opinion. I believe he went elsewhere for surgery and was angry that it was expensive and really messy. I believe some idiot told him that would happen!

I used to locum for most of the clinics in an area and had one client who wanted follow ups with me and I ended up seeing them at several different clinics over a few years.

Not too awkward thankfully.

RE: Thinking about locuming - advice please

Neil Wheadon — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 22:57:11 GMT

Set up

Ltd Company - A number of practices won't take these now. Also Corporation tax is increasing next year? I cancelled mine last year

Sole Trader AKA Self Employed - Works very well. IVC and Vets4pets will now accept as well as many independent practices

Casual for a corporate - I have one for both IVC and Vets4Pets. These work well. You simply negotiate the daily rate and they do the rest. In my opinion it's a good option.

Hours

I haven't but I know it can be done, practices will take locums for half days/mornings etc, but bear in mind as one practice manager said to me 'everyone would like to finish at 1600, so finding enough to allow child care may be tricky. I guess you can ask the local practices.

To be honest, if you have family commitments, you might find securing a part time job a better option.

Good Luck

Neil

RE: Thinking about locuming - advice please

Utlendigur — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:23:56 GMT

In the current climate I suspect you will be inundated with requests for work, particularly in holiday season. Looking at practices where I work, they have become more flexible. In the past a locum almost always did a full day - now many are happy if they can get someone in to cover a part day to take the pressure off, and/or fill gaps with a salaried vet doing part of a day and a locum the rest.. I started with a Ltd company because that was what the corporates (IVC in particular) wanted but things have swung the other way now and I wouldn't recommend it. IVC will now deal with sole traders (I suspect because they couldn't get locums) or on a casual worker contract. Vets4pets I think may also have changed to allow sole traders, bank locum contract or off payroll through Ltd company.

RE: Thinking about locuming - advice please

Jill Butterworth — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 18:39:29 GMT

Definitely doable, you are a valuable commodity, I loved the flexibility. Maybe write your CV and then set out in your covering letter what you can offer and what might be negotiable and send it to local practices. It's good experience for helping you set up your plate, seeing what you like and what you don't. I had a Ltd Co, but it was a long time ago and someone will be along with up to date advice. A very funny thing happened once where I gave a second opinion to myself because I was working at two neighbouring practices and the client obviously didn't like what I said the first time, but they didn't recognise me and were quite happy when I backed myself up, but gave another view too!