locum agencies

Re: locum agencies

Alan Tevendale — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:08:52 GMT

I too have had bad experiences of RIG but from the employers point of view. They never seemed to be able to find me a locum when I needed one then when I didn't want one would phone me on a weekly (often more) basis until I got extremely rude with them on the phone and by email. Claire is right - asking them to take you off their lists doesn't work.

Re: locum agencies

Claire Edgington — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:11:57 GMT

I've used Carlton Professional for years and they're great. aA1 have been very good too. aAvoid. rig vet recruitment like the plague. they have pestered me for years after i told them i wanted to be taken off their list. yes you did read that right.... years!!

Re: locum agencies

HMC — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:29:23 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]I came across a colleague last summer that was being paid £180/day, but the agency were invoicing the practice around £250! - can't remember the name off hand, but it was along the lines of entire male horse, oil drilling platform, or large lorry - something like that anyway.[/quote]

That happened to me (as I have said on a previous post). I am happy to name the company but to follow Clive's example: the company shares its name with one of the teams in the Apprentice.

Re: locum agencies

Clive Ansell — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:23:05 GMT

Always choose an agency that acts justs as an introduction service, they put you in touch with a practice and all negotiation, and payment is directly betwen locum and practice. Avoid all agencies that "employ" the locum then contract them out - I came across a colleague last summer that was being paid £180/day, but the agency were invoicing the practice around £250! - can't remember the name off hand, but it was along the lines of entire male horse, oil drilling platform, or large lorry - something like that anyway.

I have used carlton Professional and Shona Hostler (now vet-connect) for a few years now and been happy with both, always helpful and professional.

Re: locum agencies

HMC — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:10:46 GMT

Why are you posting anonymously? Personally I don't mind naming companies but I think it's already been done here.

Re: locum agencies

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:07:12 GMT

You don't make it clear whether you're looking for a locum to cover you or you are the locum. I suspect the latter so I have little experience but for recruitment I've found Simon Bird at Dovetail to be efficient and fair and the locums seem to have the same view, wages are sorted by the practice not the agency though but I prefer that. I've used Recruit4Vets which is part of a bigger company Recruit 4 health, they were helpful and efficient from the employer's point of view but I thought charged a little too much commission, compared with Simon anyway. The locum I had from them seemed happy with them.

Re: locum agencies

An On MRCVS — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:59:25 GMT

Yes thanks Bob I will register there for sure . But sadly I think I am a bit of an impatient type and it doesn't seem to have a vacancies page so its difficult to see where the jobs are ?

Re: locum agencies

Bob Russell — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:37:36 GMT

Various posts indicate a shortage of locums and there is a section on this site for you to advertise! Look at the jobs part of the banner at the top and click on 'The locum Register!

It means no locum fees for you or the employing practice.